Get Lit is launching a helpful-advice column where your fairy bookmother (a.k.a., the always witty and reliable Courtney Smith) responds to bookish quandaries that us voracious readers know only too well. We hope you enjoy the wonderful wisdom of Get Lit’s Fairy Bookmother. Stay tuned for future posts and send us your own questions on Twitter with #FairyBookMother. And please note, this advice is for bookish entertainment only and not to be taken as professional advice. ?
Hello, fellow bookworms! Welcome to the advice column that will endeavor to answer all your bookish questions. Some fun facts about me: I own almost 500 books; on a good week, I can get through four to five books; and I tell it like it is, so you know I’ll give you advice that you can actually use. I’m honored to take on your toughest questions and if there’s one thing I’m learning, it’s that we’re all in this together. Let’s go change some bookish lives!
My friend “borrowed” my favorite book and loves it so much that she won’t give it back. WTF. What do I do? —Angry at BFF
Angry at BFF, your first mistake was allowing this “friend” to borrow a book. When I make a new friend, one of the first things they learn about me is that no one touches my books. Fairy Bookmother, you may say, you’re a lover of the written word! Don’t you want to share your favorite books with everyone? Yes, yes I do. But they can have their own copy. I’d rather take them on a trip to an indie bookstore and get them a copy than let them tarnish my own collection. I’ve made one exception in the last six years and have I gotten that book back? No, absolutely not. It’s currently on the floor of an ex-friend’s bedroom with the dust jacket in use as a BOOKMARK. Absolutely ridiculous. Beyond disrespectful. Anyway, kudos to you for having such great taste in books that your friend made an immediate connection to the story. You have two options:
- Option one: If the book is still in the condition it was in when you lent it (unlikely), entice them with a new book they’re sure to love based on the book they stole. Clearly, they’re lacking good reading material if they’re hoarding books that aren’t even theirs. So facilitate a trade, the new book for the one you want back. You still might not get that new book back, but at least you’ll have your favorite to hold close once again.
- Option two: If your book is not in an acceptable condition from when you lent it (likely), Venmo request them the price of a new copy of the book. I would suggest using the following as the descriptor: “Restitution for Emotional Damages.” Godspeed.
I’m moving but I have too many books! How do you recommend handling this situation? —Confounded Mover
Oh, Confounded Mover, I am in that exact same situation right now! My parents are selling my childhood home, and last fall I made the intelligent decision to move to the book capital of the world (NYC). Do you think my shoebox apartment can accommodate the 437 books I painstakingly collected during the 22 years that the house was my primary residence? Absolutely not! Also, the thought that you have “too many” books is ridiculous. There’s no such thing. Unfortunately, I know that moving every single copy may not be feasible, so here are the questions to ask yourself when deciding which of your babies books are coming with you. For each book ask yourself:
- Is it a special edition (collector’s copy, autographed, advanced copy, out of print)? If it is, decide if you’re just keeping it because it’s special or because it actually means something to you.
- Have I read this book and if so, will I ever reread it? If not, donate it.
- If I haven’t read this book, what is the actual likelihood of my reading it within the next, say, six months? If it’s low, donate it.
These questions only work if you answer honestly. Any books you decide you aren’t going to bring with you, you can donate to a library or charity, sell through a reseller, or give to a friend who will enjoy! The last option also increases the likelihood you can steal it back should you come to regret giving it up in the first place, not that I condone thievery.
Pro tip: If you use Goodreads, you can download a CSV file of all the books in your account, which is a lifesaver if you have your books tagged as “owned.”
I matched with someone on Tinder, but they don’t like to read. Help! What should I do? Lecture or ghost? —Lover of Books
Dear Lover of Books, this is a true travesty, and I’m sorry it’s something you’ve experienced. However, it could be a blessing in disguise if they’re open to trying out a few of your favorites! You know, those books you read and all you want is to forget that you’ve read them so you can read them for the first time again? This is about as close as you’ll get: experiencing someone else reading one of your favorites for the first time. When my best friend wanted to get back into reading, I gave her my current obsession, and every text she sent with her reactions as she read made my day. It also reaffirmed our friendship, because if she had hated the book, I’m not sure where we’d be today (just kidding, Paige!).
For an extra adorable bonding moment, I recommend you two go on a romantic date where you can read aloud together. If they aren’t open to exploring something you love or aren’t interested in listening to you talk about books that you’re passionate about, then it’s time to say goodbye. You and your beau don’t have to have all the same interests, but you need to feel free to express your feelings after a good read, and if they aren’t the one to listen, then you deserve better.
I’m tired of reading. What should I do instead? —Bored in Brooklyn
Bored in Brooklyn, I feel you. I go through these whirlwinds where I’m reading four to five books a week, and then I don’t want to see a book for weeks after. (Well, maybe add to my TBR, but not actually start reading.) Thankfully, there are plenty of other things you can do to stay entertained.
If you still want to be surrounded by books, sort through your bookshelf, donate what you no longer want, and reorganize by color, author, genre, or reading status! You can also tune into the plethora of shows, movies, and limited series that are based on books. Some of our current favorites:
- Netflix: Unorthodox; To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (and its sequel, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You); Self Made
- Hulu: Light as a Feather; Normal People; Little Fires Everywhere
- HBO: Big Little Lies
- Apple+: Dickinson; Truth Be Told; Defending Jacob
For activities on the go, take a deep dive into your phone’s app store and find a new obsession. Here’s a great list to get you started. Want something more tangible? Do a bookish craft! There’s cross-stitching, embroidery, coloring pages, DIY bookmarks, and more. Not only will these activities keep you occupied, you’ll have something useful at the end of it. Finally, when you’re ready to get back into reading, check out these suggestions on how to get out of a reading rut. You can thank me later.
What book should I read next? —Emily
A fantastic, never-ending question, Emily. There are so many wonderful books that have been released recently and even more to be excited about. Here are a few of my favorites, depending on your mood:
This post was originally published on GetLiterary.com.
