Some of My Good Reading Habits // spreading the self-love for a change

Published on by Caitlin @ Caitlin Althea

I feel like we readers–and honestly, people in general–tend to focus on the negative side of things.

We always talk about what we’re doing wrong or need to improve on (hello, I’m the Queen of Self-Deprecating Jokes here). So I love that the Good Reading Habits Tag helps us look at the bright side of things for once! Thank you so much to the lovely Olivia @ Purely Olivia for tagging me! Please check her blog out if you haven’t yet—her blog is perfect in every way. 💕

This tag is pretty simple! Just link back to the creator Ally @ Ally Writes Things, list some of your good reading habits, and spread the love by tagging other bloggers!

I rarely fall into reading slumps.

Image result for she devoured one book after another gif

I first drafted this post in January, so the above heading was supposed to say “never” instead of “rarely.” But I fell into a reading slump in February, breaking my slump-free streak. 💔

I do rarely get into reading slumps though. I read multiple books at a time, and almost always (the only time this didn’t happen was during my reading slump), I’m eager to finish at least one of the books I’m currently reading.

Also, is it bad to say that I take my Goodreads reading challenge way too seriously to fall into a slump? I may be a failure in all aspects of my life, but I am not a failure when it comes to my Goodreads challenge. 😔✊🏼 This is especially relevant right now because I set my 2020 reading challenge to 100 books, which is the highest number of books I’ve ever set out to read in a year.

i’m currently trying to get ahead again after my reading slump put me behind

I don’t use bookmarks.

This may seem a bit insignificant, but it’s convenient okay!! Yes, I almost always read via ebook, so most of the time, bookmarks are useless to me anyway. But even when I read physically, I don’t need a bookmark. I was probably younger than ten the last time I used one.

It all started when I was a child, and decided to challenge myself to memorize the exact page numbers I left off on instead of using a bookmark. I got pretty good at doing it, and the habit of not using a bookmark simply stuck. I don’t memorize exact page numbers anymore, but I always have an idea of where I left off on. If I don’t find the right page on the first try, I’m usually not far off, and it takes about two seconds to flip to the right one.

Image result for flip pages gif

I don’t spend a lot of money on books.

i'm on a budget gif

In relation to the gif above, I have to be. I’m a high school student with no source of income. 😂 It would be impossible for my family to buy physical copies of all the books on my TBR.

I’d say a solid 90% (or more) of the books I read are ebooks, which saves me SO MUCH money. I also try to get free/cheap books any way I can by taking advantage of sales, gift cards, and the like. My Twitter account is filled with retweets of giveaways*….. though I haven’t won one in a long time. 😔

*Fun fact: I won a giveaway once, but I didn’t respond to the host in 24 hours, so another winner was chosen. To this day, I’m still mad at myself for neglecting Twitter that time.

I don’t request arcs.

I’m not at all looking down on people who do request arcs. If anything, I’m hardcore rooting for them to get that advanced copy! However, I can’t relate to the “oops, I went on an arc request spree, and now I don’t know how I’m gonna read all these books on time” book blogger problem.

I don’t like requesting arcs. I find it tedious to update my information on Edelweiss (haha, Netgalley? Don’t know her), and knowing that I have to finish the arcs before a certain date stresses me out. Most of all, I’m perfectly content with waiting until the book releases. Maybe it’s just been too long since a cliffhanger truly got to me, but either way, I have plenty of backlist books to read while I wait.

Image result for so many books to read gif

I tag:

No pressure! 💓

Do we share some of the same good reading habits? What are some of your good reading habits?

52 thoughts on “Some of My Good Reading Habits // spreading the self-love for a change”

  1. I don’t request arcs anymore for the same reasons! I prefer to read books I know I’m going to like, and reading arcs just takes my time away from that! Sometimes I think about requesting arcs from authors I already love, but I’d rather just wait until the release date to read it, so I can own the book instead.

    But I do get into reading slumps quite often 😂 It’s great that you don’t! These are all very good habits to have!

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    1. Oh, same! I rely on reviews a lot to gauge whether I’ll like a book, so when I request an arc, there’s always that extra risk that I won’t like it. Sadly, I don’t own a lot of books. 😦 I’m 100% an ebook person because of monetary reasons, so I usually never have physical copies of my anticipated releases. but I like waiting until they release anyway because I feel like I neglect backlist books a lot!

      Thank you, Xandra 💙💙 getting into reading slumps is not something to worry about! read at your own pace. i feel like the book community unintentionally puts too much pressure on readers to read 10+ or 20+ books a month, honestly :/

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  2. Honestly, rarely falling into slumps is the BEST reading habit I’ve ever heard. For being self-proclaimed bookish people, it’s one of the only habits that matter at the end of day hahaha. That sucks that your streak got ruined in February though, but you got this, Caitlin 👏🏽. Anyone with enough confidence and discipline to set their reading challenge to 100 has my respect 👌🏽lol. And yes!! Ebooks save you so much money!! I think they’re also just way better for the environment, so there’s that too 😄. And I don’t request ARCs either, but a good portion of that comes from /my/ bad reading habit of falling into slumps 😅. There’s just too many released books to read!

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    1. Yeah, I’m so lucky that I never fall into reading slumps! back when i was getting back into reading, i was an extremely slow reader and slumps were always imminent, but as i eased myself into reading again, my reading pace slowly increased. for me, the best way the combat a reading slump is to read multiple books, preferably in different formats and genres. though when I have more than one book on my currently reading shelf on gr, it’s a lie, and I’m usually focusing my energy on only one of those books. the others are just backups in case i need to set down the book i’m reading 😅
      Ah, I used to think that 100 books in a year was impossible for me, but now I’m crossing my fingers than i can do it!!
      Oof, I am not at all kind to Mother Earth, because even though I know ebooks are better for the environment, I’ll always like physical books more 😅😅
      read at your own pace 💗💗 luckily, i don’t fall into a lot of slumps, but i do agree that there are too many released books to read!

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  3. Wow rarely falling into slumps is a gift. But I’m kind of lucky as well as I don’t have them that often but they can hit and I don’t think I read every day as it is. Best of luck with 100 books this year, I was going to set mine to 50 but chickened out and set it to 40 😂
    I’ve never related to the tweets about arcs either, I’ve never tried looking as I thought it couldn’t happen to me to start with and then the pressure wouldn’t work with me either (I can get stressed easily. Plus most of them are ebooks and I would have to read them on my phone (and my battery life is almost as weak as me 😂)
    I loved hearing about your good habits and I wish I have the not spending much money on books trait as I can be a bit consumerism at times but I’m getting better at control as well.
    Thank you for tagging me!! 💛

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    1. Not falling into reading slumps that often is something to be really proud of already! I’m so happy for you, Sophie! and I definitely don’t think that you have to read everyday. after i finish a book, I usually don’t read anything that day, because any residual feelings i had for that book might affect my experience with another 😅
      Thank you, Sophie! 100 is a lot, but hopefully i can manage it! and I’m sure you’ll hit 40 easily!
      “my battery life is as weak as me” OMG SAME! my phone is so sh*tty honestly. but ebooks don’t take up much battery life, thankfully. though sometimes the font size of e-arcs show up wayyy too small on my phone 🤦🏻‍♀️
      You should definitely try requesting arcs (if you want to receive them)! From my experience requesting them, they usually grant ones to people who regularly post reviews. and you should pay attention to what arcs other people got approved for, because there’s a higher chance that you’ll get approved for them too. but don’t request too much, hahaha. we both get stressed easily, and i can’t imagine what it’s like to constantly be reading on a deadline 😓
      i’m so glad! ❤ I'm happy that you regularly get physical books! that must be nice 🥺
      yay, can't wait to see your good reading habits if you do this!

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  5. This was so fun to read, and that’s amazing you have such good habits!! I think I’m pretty good at not spending money on books but sometimes I’ll make like an impulsive purchase once a year 😅I also really much prefer reading e-books too bc it’s so convenient and ~environmentally friendly~ Thank you for tagging me!!

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  6. self-deprecating jokes is a way of life ok but yes it is also very important to hype yourself up and be optimistic (sometimes)

    i seriously love this post bc like, wow thank you for sharing your tips on being an accomplished reader, we love to see it!! (also!!! 100 books this year!! you got this queen, look at you already on it!!!)
    “I may be a failure in all aspects of my life, but I am not a failure when it comes to my Goodreads challenge. 😔✊🏼” MA’AM WHY DO I FEEL LIKE I GHOST WROTE THAT SENTENCE AJFLKJDALKF the EMOJIS TOO omg are we twins???? definitely agree that having a continuous stream of reading material helps for not falling into slumps 10/10

    you used to…..memorize the page number you are on…….but they said superpowers aren’t read. i’m-

    THIS IS A GREAT POST AND I LOVE IT LIKE ALL YOUR POSTS AND THANK YOU FOR TAGGING YOU’RE A QUEEN AND I LOVES U VERY MUCH ❤️❤️❤️

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    1. Omg this quote came straight from my mouth! I don’t know why we always hype up self-love when self-deprecation is so fun 😩😩

      Thank you May!!! 💕💕💖💝 but YOU are killing it more than I am! I think you’ve already read more than 30 books this year?? I can only aspire 🥺 AJSJSJS YES 😔✊🏼 is a way of life!!! Haha, having a steady stream of 3 or 4 books on my cr shelf has become a way to life. if I don’t get immediately sucked into a book, I can /usually/ pick up something more interesting, finish it, & then come back to the one I set down. I don’t know how that works, but it’s the primary way I fight off reading slumps

      Aksjsjs it wasn’t superpower it was boredom 😔✊🏼 but not needing bookmarks is my only talent so thank you

      THANK FOR THIS LOVELY AND FUN COMMENT MAY 💘💓💞 ILY & I can’t wait to see your good reading habits if you do this 🥺🥺

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  7. Thanks so much for tagging me in this, Caitlin!!! ALSO, PREACH IT ABOUT EBOOKS! I’m not a high school student, but I totally understand the need for budgeting and not being able to afford physical books (they be expensive yo)! Checking out books from my library and purchasing ebooks have saved me SO much money, and have allowed me to still read the books that I want. ANyways, LOVED reading this 💛💛💛

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  9. Oh wow, memorizing where you left off is amazing! I have the same love for e-books, so that makes it really easy, but for books from the library I use a bookmark.
    You don’t have to spend a lot of money if you don’t want too. I always thought books were expansive, and I guess some are, but if you request the right books as present and buy the other ones on sale, as an e-book or with a gift card, it’s pretty doable! Plus, I have a library very close by. They don’t have every books I want to read, and most of them are translated in my first language, but i still get to read them 🙂
    I find requesting arcs so frustrating. I ask and ask and most of the time I don’t get the book. The books I do get are ones that weren’t on my TBR, so that isn’t helpful… And I can’t deal with the stress of reading a book by a certain date either haha!
    This was so fun to read ❤

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    1. Yeah, I don’t know how I do it! But it’s one of my only talents, so I’ll take it haha 😂
      Ah, you’re totally right!! I wish I had a good library near me though. The ones in the Philippines are only stocked with academic texts:(
      Oh, I totally get that! I had the same problem when I started, which is laughable to me now because I never request arcs anymore 😂 But I found that what helped me get approved for arcs was regularly posting reviews on my blog (which I don’t do anymore, lmao). You also have to pay attention to what someone else, especially someone who reads the same books you do, gets approved for, because that means you have a high chance of getting approved for those books too! But I think you should take it easy with the arc requesting & only request the ones you truly want to read 🥺 too many arcs can get stressful fast!
      Thank you Jas 💓

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  11. I LOVE this so much 😍, I agree with you, sometimes we focus too much on the negative side of things, so it’s great to give the positive a space too!! 👏🏻✨
    It makes me happy that you have tagged me because I want to do it, thank you beautiful! ❤️
    I love that you don’t fall easily into reading slumps! that’s a great ability to have … give me some of your power 😅

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    1. Thank you so much, Sofi 💛💛 I love this tag so much because of that!
      Ah, I’m glad! I’m so excited to read your answers if you get around to this tag ❤
      Haha! You're honestly a fast reader already, Sofi! (but i think i manage to do it by switching up genres, formats, etc. 🥺)

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  12. Thank you so much for tagging me! This is such a nice Tag that shows our good bookworm sides for once 😄💗 I’m really impressed that you don’t need a bookmark for physical books … you just find where you left off automatically? Magic! 😱✨ I also rarely get into reading slumps. I had a huge one during High School but ever since I picked up reading again, I’ve managed to keep my reading motivation *fingers crossed* 😄

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    1. You’re welcome, Caro 💗💗
      Yeah, like magic, honestly 😅 I don’t know how I do it, but it’s one of my few talents, so I’ll take it! Same!! I used to be a *very* slow reader who was always in a slump, but since becoming a part of the book community, my reading pace has slowly but steadily increased 🙂

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  13. Ugh you’re so lucky you never get into reading slumps. I’ve been in one since like, last year November. I have a goal of reading 100 books this year as well, though I’ve only read seven lmaoo – meanwhile you’re killing yours, I stan a queen. And I still haven’t caught up on the reviews with the number of ARCs I’ve read recently, even though I’ve stopped requesting / downloading them, it’s so embarrassing.

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    1. Ah, Faith! It’s ok 💖 Seven books is already a lot! I’m rooting for you to get out of this reading slump, but the amount of books you read in a month of year honestly doesn’t matter :))
      (and lol i’m no queen 🥺 i’m just lucky to have a lot of time on my hands right now)
      Good luck with catching up! I believe that you can do this! sending hugs 💗

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  14. Yay so happy you did this tag, thank you! I WISH I didn’t fall into reading slumps, but alas, it happens. And SAME about not requesting ARCs. I’ve gotten one ARC in my life and it was because I won it in a giveaway. Whenever I see people with long ARC TBRs, I cannot relate

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    1. Thank you for creating it!! I had so much fun doing it:)) Haha, I find that switching up formats and genres helps. But slumps still happen, unfortunately:( I’m glad agree with each other about ARCs! I can never relate to those ARC hauls and TBRs too

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  15. That’s so cool how you always remember where you left off! Especially since you mentioned that you read multiple books at once! I think that it’s a good thing that I use a bookmark, because sometimes I put a book down for a month or more (oops), and based on how well I remember previous events that happened in the book, I don’t think I’d be able to figure out where I left off without a trusty bookmark! But I can definitely relate to budgeting on books. Chances are if it isn’t a library book, then I borrowed the book, or got it as a present. Most months I don’t buy any books, but every once in a while, I’ll treat myself to a new release I was looking forward to.

    Thank you so much for tagging us! 💕 I’m really excited to talk about so many random bookish habits I have in one post! I feel like sometimes I write posts about specific bookish habits I have, but this tag will allow me to talk about so many things at once! I’m already brainstorming, because I want to be sure I mention as many of the awesome bookish quirks that I have that can fit into one post!

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    1. Yeah, I don’t know how I do it, honestly 😅 One of my few talents! And I do read multiple books at once, but usually, only one of them is a physical book, so that’s how I do it. I set down some books for a long time too, so if I set it down for long enough like a month, I probably won’t remember the page number I left off on anymore. Same! This is me when it comes to physical books! I think I hadn’t bought a physical book in two years until recently, when bookstores around the country were having huge sales, and I decided to take advantage of it by buying around 20 physical books? Probably the only physical books I’ll buy this decade LOL

      I can’t wait to see you guys’ post!! I’m sure it’ll be amazing as always 🥺💖💖

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  16. i love this tag, caitlin!! it’s such a good way to be positive, and we all need that lmao. i also am like you — i’ve never used bookmarks and when i tried to convince myself to, i’d always end up forgetting them somewhere. i do the same as you with looking at the page number, or just kinda knowing where i am in the book/on the page and being able to flip and find it. (i occasionally use random items around me as a bookmark sometimes though, like a remote 😎)

    and i also don’t spend a lot of money on books! like you said, it’s the high school student with no income thing. i tend to be very very particular about the few books i do buy, enough to the point that sometimes i literally just don’t want to buy books lmao! and i love your reasoning for not requesting arcs — recently i’ve been caring less and less about arcs and i love it. i still get excited at arc review requests, because you know, free books! but then there are all the other pressures that come with it as you said (Especially the deadlines) and it just feels like it’s not worth it ://

    great post!! sorry for the long comment oh god… just had lots to talk about with all that you discussed! ❤

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    1. Ah, I know right! especially with what the world is going through today:/ (feel free to say i tagged you if you want to do it, because I just realized that i’d love to see your answers, haha!) i think you’re the only person I know who also doesn’t use bookmarks. and we actually get by the same way–either i look at the number and remember, or i just know it instinctively! lol, i sometimes use the soap bar container to hold down my books, so that i can read while washing my hands… (i’m an expert at not getting the book wet though 😎)

      oh, same! not buying physical books has been a habit ingrained in me for so long that i just don’t like buying physical books anymore. i like treating myself sometimes if it’s a special occasion, but i really do have to consider the fact that some physical books will just waste space and money :/ When it comes to arcs, I think I’m just lazy lmao. I’d definitely request more, but I have no motivation to update info, post reviews, read the books on time, etc. But you deserve all the free books ❤

      thank you so much, may! don't worry about it! i loved reading this comment a lot, and it makes me so happy when people have a lot to say in response to a post of mine 🥺💕

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      1. aaah thank you!! and i can’t believe we are non-bookmark twins lmao—it’s so strange but i also can’t think of anyone off the top of my head who doesn’t use them either. not like other girls 😎😎

        and lmao i think i’m also getting lazy when it comes to arcs! i just haven’t been keeping up with releases either so idk what i would request lol

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  17. Ahh I love this post so much! I am amazed that you can not use bookmarks, that’s so cool, I am SO forgetful about these things, i need my bookmarks to know where I’m at, ahah. And YAY for rarely falling into slumps, that’s so great! This also is something I’m kind of proud of, I feel like I always manage to keep my enthusiasm for reading by switching up genres and having days “off” reading too 🙂

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    1. I’m so glad!! ❤ Haha, I'm usually a forgetful person too! I think the habit of not using bookmarks from childhood just stuck all the way until now!
      Ah, that's great ❤ I find that variety is what helps me fend reading slumps off. And whenever I finish a book, I usually don't read anything else on the day I finished it in order to give myself some rest 🙂

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  18. Pingback: My (Meager) Good Reading Habits | Or Rather the Only Habits I Stick With – R E A (D) I V I N E

  19. Awesome post! And thank you so much for the tag ❤❤
    I take my GR challenge a little too seriously as well, but idk, I think I’m kind of in a slump-ish anyway. I’ve read like only 2 books this month, and I’m behind by 5 books on my challenge, and I just haven’t read anything interesting and I don’t really care? Ugh, it sucks. Hopefully the next book I pick up will be better and get me out of this weird slump that’s not really a slump.
    That’s really cool that you taught yourself to remember the page number! I’ve tried, but I always forget (I forget things all the time. I’ve gotten locked out of my notes and tablet because I put a password that I don’t remember at all anymore 😂)
    For the ARCs I understand where you’re coming from, and I do sometimes get stressed about it. I don’t do Netgalley or Edelweiss, but I do Reedsy Discovery and I request a book from there every once in a while. They’re not really ARCs, but it’s something similar and I always pick a book that needs a review like a month later just to make sure I have enough time (and even then, I still procrastinate 🤦🏽‍♀️). But I totally feel you on that one ❤

    Now that I’m thinking about it, I don’t think I have any good reading habits 😂😐

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    1. Thank you, Rukky!!
      I’m so sorry that you’re feeling slumpy:(( Hopefully it goes away soon! I find that fast-paced & addictive reads really help with slumps :”) But even so, sometimes we’re just not in the mood to read, and we shouldn’t force ourselves ❤ I feel like the pressure I put on myself to finish books as fast as possible hinders me from enjoying them more, honestly
      Haha, I was a bored kid, so that's how! Don't worry, I'm really forgetful as well. I think I just kept memorizing page numbers that the habit is ingrained in me now. I wonder why it can't be the same when it comes to my studies 🤦🏻‍♀️
      Oh, I've never heard of Reedsy Discovery! I should definitely check it out some time, but I'm SO done with having to review books. I kinda don't like writing reviews :/ especially when I have to finish the book and my review on a deadline

      I'm sure you do, Rukky!! You're honestly super organized with your reading (at least for me), and I'm in awe of how active you are on Goodreads!

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  23. Yay, I’m so happy you did this! I loved reading this post, and also, thank you for the little shoutout at the beginning of this post. You never fail to make me smile!!😭💓

    You’re killing your Goodreads challenge! (Can’t relate. XD) I admire your ability to not go into reading slumps, that’s so awesome. For me, the entire school year is like one big reading slump for me, and then in summers I’m on a roll, haha.

    WHOA, I also admire your ability to memorize page numbers like that?? I…am not like that. I always get too scared that I’m going to accidentally spoil something for myself, so I’ve found it’s safer for me not to do that. I don’t use bookmarks all that often though, and I’m a notorious dog ear-er, which I know is so bad…

    I don’t request ARCs either! I think it’s probably cut down on a lot of potential stress for me, so I’m happy about it. Sometimes I get a little bit of envy towards bloggers that have a ton of ARCs that I really want to read, but then I remember that it would probably cause me unnecessary panic. Beautiful posts as always, Caitlin!

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    1. thank you for tagging me!! i had so much fun doing it 😭😭 and you deserve ALL the shout-outs! so glad I made you smile 💗💗💗💗
      Actually, same, haha. Before I started blogging, I would fall out of touch with reading once the school year would start. Now, I kind of still do, but weekends are my way to rekindle my love of reading. Also, I have faith that you’ll catch up on your reading challenge! you can do this ❤
      No, it's not, don't worry! I don't know why people look down on dog-earing so much, honestly. As long as it's their book/they have permission from the owner it should be fine, haha. I also don't know how I just memorize page numbers. I guess I just did it for so long that the habit just stuck! Omg, i never thought about the possibility of being spoiled when looking at the page number before 🤦🏻‍♀️ thankfully, I don't think it's ever happened to me, haha.
      same! sometimes I feel left out/jealous whenever I see bloggers who always read arcs. But then I remember that I don't like writing reviews and reading on a deadline. 😂 thank you so much, Olivia! You leave the best comments 😭💖💖

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  24. Pingback: The Bookish Bucket List Tag

  25. Wohoo, these were great! 😀 You’re not a failure lol but I can definitely relate to taking my Goodreads challenge seriously. I’m often too anxious because of it and yet I refuse to lower the number. Not using a bookmark is an AMAZING skill tho, my dead memory can’t relate. And I’m also broke, so I can also relate to not buying many books. I’m *always* participating in giveaways, I even annoy myself (right now I’m participating in so many because of the Animal Crossing switch game, I’ll never win and yet I don’t give up hahaha)

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  26. Pingback: My Good Reading Habits – gather around, i’m sharing all my reading secrets
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