Knowing Your Type: What Kind of Reader Are You?

Last year, members of a book group in California finished reading the book Finnegans Wake by James Joyce. This really is an accomplishment, considering Finnegans Wake is often considered one of the most difficult books to read. However, something else stood out about this particular group. That is, they had been reading this selection for twenty-eight years! Think about that. For almost three decades, readers would meet and discuss Finnegans Wake. (Even more unique is they may just begin it again now that they have finished it). 

When I read about this book club, I told my family, “That seems like a book group I would enjoy!” I am the type of person who loves to take my time reading, savoring every word and phrase. I annotate, take notes, and compare and contrast books. I cannot say that I have read one book for twenty-eight years, but I have studied some books for months at a time. 

What type of reader are you? Are you also someone who enjoys taking your time studying your favorite books, or do you set a goal for a specific number of books and try to reach that goal by year’s end?  What are your favorite book genres? Why are these your favorites? What makes you quit reading a book (if you quit reading a book)? Let’s take some time to explore types of readers and what makes us tick. 

Favorite Genres 

My sons and I have discussed there seem to be a lot more book genres than there used to be. No longer are there just adult fiction, adult nonfiction, and children’s books. We now have many genres and subgenres of those genres. For example, have you heard of Romantasy? It’s a combination of fantasy and romance, as made popular by authors like Sarah J. Maas. How about Western Gothic? Maybe you like food mysteries or climate fiction. These are just a few of the latest subgenres. 

What do you think your favorite book genre says about you? Are you an adventurer, ready to fight evil villains, tame a dragon, or explore the ocean? Can you see deeper truths in dystopian novels? Are you a romantic at heart? Do you like visiting a specific historical era or event? Do you prefer happy endings or tragic endings? 

My taste in books probably shows my preference for academic settings and academic studies. I also much prefer realistic fiction to fantasy (although I can get into some fantasy and even science fiction. Actually enjoying reading Dune surprised no one more than it did me). I can take a happy ending or an unhappy ending. Either works as long as the ending is not too idealistic. I have a reading confession: sometimes I prefer villains to heroes.  

How Many Books At One Time? 

Are you someone who reads one book at a time, or do you prefer to read several books? Even though I like to savor my reading journey, I am one who reads several books at one time.
I probably got into this habit when I was in college, or even earlier, in high school, when I had to read more than one book at a time due to the different classes I was taking. One reason I prefer reading more than one book at a time is that doing so allows me to read more complicated works (maybe like Finnegans Wake. It is on my list since I enjoyed Dubliners so much last year), while also allowing me to have brain breaks. For example, last year, the longer books I read were The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky (absolutely loved it!), Bleak House by Charles Dickens (more on that in a moment), A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin (this is another series I was surprised I enjoyed), and It by Stephen King (it wasn’t bad. I  wasn’t crazy about the ending. Endings are a make it or break it deal for me ). Bleak House, especially, took me quite some time to read. In fact, while I read it, I read eight other books. They were much shorter and easier reads. 

On the other hand, I know many people who say they cannot concentrate on more than one book at a time. They prefer to focus on one plot, one idea. Each book deserves their undivided attention. That works, too. We must do what works for us! 

Why Do You Read? 

Thinking about favorite genres and how many books to read at one time leads to my next question. Why do you read? Do you read for pleasure? Do you read to learn something new? Do you read to challenge yourself? Are you a combination reader? 

Many people read only for pleasure. They are at a point in their lives at which if they do not like a book, they have no problem putting it away. Reading is their time to relax. They have earned it. As Finnegans Wake author James Joyce is often quoted as saying, “Life is too short to read bad books.”

Others believe we should read to learn. Even if a book is difficult or challenging, or even if they do not particularly like the book, those who feel this way will be sure to finish it. Reading is educational. We can learn something from every book. 

Still others believe it is important to read books that challenge their thinking. They like to study ideas that are different from their own. Reading is a part of making the world a better place. 

I have to say I am a combination of all the above. As an illustration, I mentioned a moment ago that last year, it took me quite a while to read Charles Dickens’s Bleak House. I may lose my membership in the Classic Literature Lovers Society (that’s really something I just made up), but I will admit Dickens is not my favorite author. I do, however, love David Copperfield and A Christmas Carol. Bleak House was especially difficult for me because one of the characters just bugged me. Unfortunately *clear throat and duck head*, she was probably the main character. However, because I recognize the importance of Dickens’s contributions to literature, and because I am a huge believer in the value of classic literature, in general, I was determined to finish it. And, of course, I did. I felt the accomplishment of reading a book with which I struggled. In the end, I did like Bleak House more than I did in the earlier stages of reading it.

 In fact, I can say there was only one book I did not finish last year, and it was not due to not liking it, the writing, or a character. It went much deeper. Eventually, when my mindset is ready to tackle it, I will finish that book as well. It may just take a few years for me to get there.   

“Do I Look Like a Guy with a Plan?”

Even though I read more than one book at a time, there is a method to my madness. For example, you will seldom find me reading more than one nineteenth-century classic at a time. Because I love this era so much, I want to enjoy every word of my literary heroes. I want to savor every minute of my journey into their world.  

I know many people who keep a “To Be Read” list. They get recommendations from friends or family or even from social media. They faithfully follow that list of books they want to read. I will be the first to admit I am not quite that structured. I make loose plans, but if I feel my plans becoming too stressful, I am not afraid to put those ideas away. My “To Be Read” list is more of a “Want to Read Maybe This Year or Next…” list. That is, it is more a suggestion than a rule. 

At the same time, I cannot pick just any old book. I have to feel the book at that moment, no matter how highly it is recommended. If I don’t feel like reading it, I may add it to my collection, but I will put it away for later. Many people call this being a mood reader. 

Are you more of a mood reader or a planner? Why do you think you prefer to choose books in this way? Do you enjoy being surprised by what you pick for each new read, or do you plan your year and follow that plan? 

Book Format 

What about the book itself? How do you feel about reading a traditional paper book?  How about ebooks or audiobooks? Do you have a special preference, or are you flexible in taking whatever format is available? 

Many people enjoy the convenience of being able to read an electronic book on their phone or to listen to an audiobook in their car. Technology has certainly made books more accessible. For many, electronic books also free up space in the house that would have been taken up with traditional books. Just today, someone mentioned they are hauling all the books from their house. Their Kindle has enabled them to do so. 

I have tried reading ebooks. I have also tried a few audiobooks. I can say I prefer the experience of reading a traditional book. I guess I do not enjoy technology enough to want to read a book in an electronic format.  

Let me add at this point that whether you prefer traditional books, ebooks, or audiobooks, the Salina Public Library has you covered! Come in or check out our website to see our vast selection. We’re sure to have whatever format of book you prefer. If we do not have it in our own stacks, we can set you up for an interlibrary loan. 

What About Book Clubs? 

Are you a lone reader or a social reader? Do you like to sit by the fire or relax on the beach and read all alone? Is reading part of your “me” time? I can understand that.

On the other hand, have you ever considered joining a book club? Perhaps you are not interested in reading Finnegan’s Wake for the next twenty-eight years. That does not mean all hope is lost, however. If you are someone who enjoys reading and discussing books in a group setting, there are many options. In fact, right here at the Salina Public Library, we have several book groups. If you are a social reader, book groups may be for you. 

Aesthetics 

I have several antique books in my personal collection. I often admire their physical beauty. They have unique covers and pretty colors. For a while, it has seemed aesthetically pleasing books may have been a thing of the past. I am happy to report, this, however, is not the case. For the past few years, publishers have been incorporating beautiful artwork on the covers of books they publish. A recent aesthetic trend is what is called sprayed edges. Rebecca Yarros and her romantasy book Fourth Wing popularized this type of aesthetic. Books with sprayed edges often have beautiful, stenciled designs (like dragons in the case of Fourth Wing), bold colors, and even shiny, metallic pages (as with A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen). Do you enjoy reading books that are as pretty to the eye as they are enjoyable and thought-provoking to the mind? You might enjoy books with sprayed edges (which, by the way, can be found in our collection at the Salina Public Library). 

To Finalize 

I hope you have enjoyed thinking about what type of reader you are. I have appreciated this thought-provoking journey. Regardless of what type of books you prefer or how you read those favorites, I hope to see you soon at the Salina Public Library. We’re sure to have something for every preference.