1. I once read under the covers with a torchlight.

My brother ratted on me and I hated him for it.

2. I actually cried reading about a particularly sad scene.

Like, not shed-a-tear kind of cry, but I-can't-see-through-the-blur kind of cry. My overflowing emotions may have something to do with this, though. Thumbs up for Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series! (Doing a little bit of publicity here because the first book is slated to hit the big screens soon and I can't wait!!)

3. I don't mind carrying heavy hard-cover books around in my bag just so I can read them on the go.

In fact, sometimes I don't even get the chance to read them. I just bring them along in case I got to read them. My school bag was almost always carrying a story book, until things got busy. Even then, I liked to read on the bus...

4. .. And then miss my stop. 

Being too engrossed in a book is the second most common reason why I miss my stops (the first is sleeping).

5. Reading on the bus makes me nauseous sometimes but I do it anyway. 

Because I can't stand not knowing what's gonna happen! But nowadays I seldom do this, for consideration of my poor eyes. No such consideration when I'm reading on the train, though.

6. I get post-book withdrawal symptoms. 

Sometimes it gets so bad the story and characters are all I can think about for the next few days. I actually feel hollow inside, haha! I replay many scenes in my head and come up with new plots to play around with, until I feel ready to start a new book.

7. I 'forgot' to feel out of breath. 

I get out of breath quite easily if I'm standing for an extended period of time, or if I'm in a crowd, probably due to lack of oxygen. I was reading on the train one day, and when I got off at my station, I realised I was feeling uncomfortable. I hadn't even noticed.

8. I get a kick out of thick books. 

The thicker, the better. I hate it when a great book ends, and a thicker book corresponds to a longer story, so I love it. Nowadays, though, I'm a little picky (can take more than an hour to choose 4 books to borrow) and more discerning (can criticise the story). I used to love EVERYTHING I read. Of course, this only applies to stories. I really can't read non-fiction.

9. My mum regrets it when she accidentally reminds me to read. 

I hadn't been borrowing books for a while because I couldn't finish reading them on time, but then I got a little bit freer. One day I asked if my mum wanted anything because I was dropping by Northpoint, a shopping centre near my house. She replied asking if I was gonna be there because I was going to borrow books. I went "oh yeah!" and I could almost hear her regret through the phone. And why would she feel this way? Because I can read and read and read and not come out of my room for hours, and she hates it. Says it's as bad as my brother stuck in his room playing computer games.

When someone tells my mum it's good that I love to read so much, she retorts that I read all the rubbish stuff that doesn't even help with anything. Hahaha I maintain that my current level of English was achieved through all the reading I have done since young.

If I want to talk about my mum and my reading, there's probably a lot more to say. She once made me borrow Chinese books (2 for every 2 English ones, but we came to a 1-3 compromise) in an attempt to improve my Chinese. It didn't last long.

10. I miss reading.

I miss the times when I always had a book with me, when I was always reading whenever I had free time. Now free time comes by sparsely, especially during term time. Some would say there's always time to read, if only you make time for it. Well, with so many other things on my mind, sometimes reading takes a back seat. But that doesn't mean I don't miss it.

11. I've considered being a full-time editor.

Just so I can read stories all day. Of course this probably has got something to do with the perennial "what am I going to do with my life?" question.

12. The four library books on my table.

Seriously, what proves your love for reading better than the presence of books?



Nose-in-a-book,

Labels: author: ji inn, hobbies and interests, lists, reading and books