Wednesday 28 January 2015

Habits Amanda Doesn't Understand


Everybody has habits that they endorse and feel proud of. I myself quite enjoy marathoning series on a high level, as well as searching for spoilers and reading books in one night, but there are habits that other people have that I really, really, really don't understand. Now, for the sake of not having numerous short and punchy discussions, I've decided to fling them all together into one collective post which makes things both much easier to construct, much easier to digest and much easier to publish, so without further ado, let me talk to you about habits I fail to understand.

Collecting Numerous Copies of One Book

Can somebody explain to me the logic in this please? So you've got a copy of a book and it's all pretty and shiney and OH NO, the paperback has a extra chapter in it, so instead of logically, you know, maybe reading this long lost chapter in the book store, or waiting for it to become available at the library, or even, god knows, borrowing it from someone, you buy another copy that is almost in every identical to your other, just with a few more pages. Why? Why would you even- I don't understand, I don't get it. Surely it's a waste of money, why would you need numerous copies of the same book. Same goes for people who buy numerous copies of books because of book covers. WHY?! Better still, don't even get me started on people who have numerous copies of books IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND EDITIONS. If you can read in Spanish and have an English and Spanish Edition, I can maybe buy that, but when you don't speak the language, what is the point? Special Editions can also kiss my ass, I've spent good money buying your book about five months ago, why bring out the special edition now when everyone's already got a copy? You just want more money from me, I see what you've done there. No, I don't understand this, why do you do this? Can somebody let me know because I'm lost and confused and need to scream?

Not Taking Notes While Reading

How do you do it people? How can you read a full length novel, not take any notes and churn out a review that is 100% based on in the moment feelings? I don't- how? I confess, I used to do this and it's really easy I admit to get lost in the story by doing so, but I soon figured that my reviews were being written based solely on how I felt at the end of the book and this is really pretty unfair. If the beginning was slow and dragged, surely this needs to be mentioned, and if the ending sucked but the first half was fantastic, then surely this needs mentioning too? Things people, things about the novel need talking about and if you don't take notes, how do you recall things? Character names, specific scenes, things like the writing, quotes that you want to use or remember, without notes, surely it's really hard to talk about those things or remember those details? I couldn't imagine not making notes while I read or watch something, it's almost like a secondary system that happens alongside reading now, so you people that don't, what do you do? How do you remember? How do you even review?

Creating a Build Up of Unwritten Reviews

Why do people even? I just - isn't it really difficult for you people who do this? How do you remember things? If you've read two fantasy novels, a contemporary, a dystopian and new adult, like, how do you split the books from one another, how do you put your feelings in there. To me, this habit is both the twin of the previous habit, but also the annoying big sister, for people who don't take notes and do this, how do you even get any reviews written, HOW ON EARTH DO YOU REMEMBER THINGS?! How do you remember important things and how you felt right afterwards? I'm pretty confident this is why sometimes, when you write a review for a book you thought you liked, you begin to notice more flaws, because you can't recall all the parts you really liked.. For people who do take notes but leave themselves with seven reviews to write, how do you - decide which to write first? How do you choose when to publish them? How can you rely on things you wrote weeks ago, what if you don't understand your meaning anymore? What if it makes no sense to you? What do you do? I can't imagine to writing a review a day or two after I've read the book, it'd just be too difficult, I want my notes to help me be particular and focus on themes and features I liked, but I want me immediate feelings to come through the review too, and it confuses me when people don't do the same. Am I the only one that finds this weird?

Buying Complete Series When Not Sure of Enjoyment

This is admit, I've done before, but no longer do. The only times I've bought sequels before reading the first installment was with Defiance and Deception and Wake and Lullaby. I've since read Defiance and appreciate that I used my hunch to buy the sequel when I did, because now I can' find it for a good price anywhere, and I haven't gotten around to Wake and Lullaby just yet, but I'm still fairly hopeful that I'll enjoy it, but when people do this really quite often, I just - I don't get it. Surely it makes more logical sense to try the first in a series before buying the sequels, you could be wasting money, you could using that time and money on other books you're more likely to enjoy, or on books you're highly anticipating. One you've bought those books in a series and you dislike the first, what will you do with the rest, force you're way through them, leave them unread to gather dust, just stare at them and hope they'll become something else instead? Seriously, just consider buying the first book and only that one, then buy them once you enjoy them, otherwise, I'll forever be confused you.

Do you know of any habits that you don't understand?

32 comments:

  1. Haha, I don't really get the one about Collecting Multiple Copies either. I am not rich. I do not get to buy every bok I wish to. Therefore, if I've got $15, instead of buying another copy of the book I ALREADY OWN, I would totally buy another book I'm dying for!! *sigh* But if you really wanna support the author, then that's fine, I guess. But for those extra chapters? There's like ONE LETTER at the end of another edition, you can read it at the book store. Seriously, it'll take you 5 minutes. I don't want to waste $15 for 5 minutes of enjoyment.

    I only take notes for books I'm going to review. I don't always do this because I read EVERYWHERE but when I have a pencil and sticky note with me, I certainly do it! :D

    I do that build up... The thing is, it's SUPER easy for me to feel the FEELS even after a couple days of reading it. So, that's not really a problem.

    I don't get when they buy the whole series when they haven't read the first book!! And then I see a review saying they hated the first book... *sigh*

    Anyway, awesome post! :D
    ~Fari 0:)
    Recent blog post: Throne of Glass #4: Queen of Shadows!! @ My Little Corner for Books!!EEK!

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    1. That is exactly how I feel Fari, it doesn't make much sense to me, glad I'm not alone. I'll even take notes on my phone if I'm out and about, anything will do, I just don't like forgetting feelings really. Thank you hunny, glad you enjoyed it :)

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  2. I TOTALLY feel you on these! The first one is a personal preference, so I'm not in a position to judge but because I've got limited space, I can't ever have more than one edition of a book. I have an HC and an ARC of Unhinged by AG Howard and the ARC is in a box somewhere LOL


    The second one speaks to me the most. I have a notebook for this. I've already burned through one and I'm starting my second, which is exciting to me. Anyway, I don't understand how people can remember what the book was about if they didn't take notes. Like whaaa?

    LOVE this post!

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    1. Oh definitely, it's not said to judge, more because I don't understand it personally. I think there's some sort of process to reviewing - I never used to take notes, now, I can't not! Thanks Nova :)

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  3. Ooops....hahaha. I literally do all of these...though I only collect multiple copies of Harry Potter...and it's not something crazy (yet) because THERE'S SO MANY OTHER BOOKS and limited space and limited money...I feel very connected to Harry Potter, and I can't really explain why I want ALL OF THE EDITIONS.

    I've never been good at note-taking while reading, but it is a habit I want to start...my memory's always been extremely good (not to brag), so it's not hard for me to write a review with no notes (though I admit, I do forget little things that I would like to mention sometimes), or to have a backlog of reviews. Though my backlog is only books I read that aren't for review as I write my review book reviews ASAP.

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    1. Aww, I guess if it's for a collection and it's something you really really want, then of course, you'll understand it more and better than I Ebony. I confess, my notes aren't for plot points and things, more, feelings and thoughts throughout the novel, it helps me pin-point character names, or split the book into sections better, it's a total personal preference, you might pick it up, never know :)

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  4. The first one is more of a personal preference of people. If they have the money, and if they want it, why wouldn't they? Obviously it's their life, their money, their space, so they are free to do whatever they wish for it haha. I won't judge them even if I don't personally buy multiple copies, because books are expensive, but some people are just like that, you know? Different folks, different strokes. You don't need to confuse yourselves because some people just like doing that. And likewise, they don't need to justify themselves, either.

    As for not taking notes, I rarely take notes. And that's because I'm very self-aware when I'm reading. I build-up reviews, too, and I always remember what I feel at the beginning, at the middle, and at the end, and what I feel about the world-building. I guess some people just do it differently. Nobody said there's a strict, rigid way of doing things. :)

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. I definitely agree Faye, it's all about personal preference and what they want to do, it's supporting the author either way, so if you want to, go for it! I guess we all are very different in how we do things, it makes for an interesting community that way :)

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  5. Okay, I totally agree with the editions thing. Because like . . . how do people have the money to buy so many copies? AND HOW DO THEY HAVE THE SHELF SPACE? Seriously. I have zero space as it is and if I bought more than one edition of a book, my bookcase would collapse. I love pretty covers and I always try to find the prettiest one, but I could never part with the money to buy various different copies.

    Notes though . . . I'm one of those that don't take notes. I know it sounds crazy but like, I don't really need them and it annoys me to have to stop writing to jot down notes. I'll sticky tab pages with quotes or passages I like, but that's it. I do have a pretty epic memory though, so I never find myself forgetting things.

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    1. I've officially run out of space, I'm slipping them in sideways on top of books, but I'm getting a new shelf soon, so I can spread them out a little, yay! I always thought my memory was pretty good, but I always fear losing important details, like characters I want to mention, and if it's digital, I sometimes delete it before writing the review and BAM, name gone. If it works for you, then that's what matters Allie! :)

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  6. I also don't understand having multiple copies of one book. I might buy it if it's a special edition with more features in it, but I don't get it when you buy different ones to have another cover.. I have with some series that I like to have more editions though *looks at Harry Potter* but most of the times I don't get it. It seems like a waste of money and space to me.

    I love to takes notes. It gives me some time to think about that moment and how it makes me feel. It's so much easier to write a review with some comparison notes.

    I am known for my build-up, haha, but I don't let it get too crazy and sometimes I just write a couple of reviews in one sitting. This works for me, don't know why.. My reviews are better if I write them when I feel like it, instead of forcing myself.

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    1. Yeah, I guess it comes to down to how desperately you want those editions and if you can afford it. Personally, I can't. Feelings yes! That's one of the reasons I write things and notes, you might forget how you were annoyed at something because you were pleased through the rest, and people might appreciate the warning, I understand that completely. I agree though Mel, build ups can be good, it gives you time to write many at once, sometimes it just stresses people though..

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  7. Haha - I love this. I don't get buying multiple versions of the same book either, I only do it on rare occasions - like buying a new HP set because my originals are worn and I don't want to wreck them more. I have to admit though, I don't make notes when reading either unless it's an eBook. I have a pretty good memory and I usually find if I write the review soon after I don't have a problem, but if I leave it too long I can be stuck for words. I try to write shorter and snappier reviews that give an overview of my feelings for a book rather than going into too much detail, because I don't like spoilers so I don't like writing my reviews in too much detail in case I spoil it for others, so that probably helps. When it comes to buying a whole series, I still do that, but only when it's on offer as a collection somewhere, usually The Book People - they'll do whole trilogies or series for an amazing price, so I'll check out some reviews and then get them all, or they'll be a really popular series anyway. I got The Hunger Games trilogy for £4.99 and The Chaos Walking trilogy for £5.99 (these are website prices, I probably paid less with discount codes and vouchers). The only time I don't buy a series in one go is if it's a series that's never on offer, like Shatter Me. Each book is £5/£6 so I only buy the first one in case I don't like it, and because it seems to be a marmite series, you either love it or hate it. R x

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    1. It seems as though everyone as a soft spot for Harry Potter, it clearly sells well for it's covers! I tend to fear that my long reviews might spoil things, but I usually try my best for them not to, and they seem to work in my favour more often than not. I think I've done that possibly before, with Unwind, they were £4 for the first three.. if it's really cheap though, and you are confident you'll like them, I understand that then. I'm the same with Shatter Me, keep avoiding it because of the price..

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  8. 1. OH THIS HAS BEEN ON MY MIND. Buying the same book in different languages THAT YOU DON'T KNOW. I don't get it??? WHYYYYY?????

    2. NOTES FOR LIFE. How do they remember things?? I don't get it. If I don't highlight something, write a little memo in the corner, I don't know, SOMETHING! I won't remember a thing.

    3. SAME GOES FOR A BACKLOG OF UNWRITTEN REVIEWS! I always write my review before moving on BECAUSE I JUST KNOW THAT I WON'T REMEMBER ANYTHING. And I want to bring my A Game to my reviews HAHAHA

    4. I'm with you Amanda. I used to do this but don't anymore. BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A WASTE OF MONEY. And what a gamble. Plus I don't want to feel guilty about paying for it and then suffering through a series that I don't enjoy.

    Basically, I agree with you 100%. Fantastic post, Amanda! x

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    1. 1. Exactly that Jess. Pretty covers are just that, it's no good if you can't read it..
      2. I feel this way sometimes, even just a little thing, it can help with a review.
      3. Your reviews are always fabulous Jess, A Game you bring indeed!
      4. What if you dislike the first and feel forced to read the rest? Not good for you..

      I'm glad you liked this Jess, I was so worried how people would react to it!x

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  9. "Creating a Build Up of Unwritten Reviews"

    I don't understand this one. I always write a review AS SOON as I'm done with the book. If I wait, I know I'll forget everything and I won't be able to write a review at all. Plus, I know my review will be better if I write it straight away when my thoughts and feelings are fresh.

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    1. It's definitely something that relies a lot on time too. If you're busy, it can be difficult, but I'm the same, get the feelings into words as soon as possible and you've less to worry about.

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  10. Lol. So, I have like four or five FAVORITE BOOKS OF ALL TIME and they get bought more than once. DUNE, I have in several editions including a really old one that I think is worth money. I bought my favorite Harry Potter book in Japanese (but I speak Japanese and it was fun to read it and see the translations). And I really want a hardcover copy of THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLES because reasons.

    I don't review but my version of notes is to chat about a book along the way of reading it. I believe this is why Goodreads developed the status updates and lots of reviewers use them and look back at what they were feeling during different parts of the novels.

    Buying a complete series, I will ONLY do this if it's discounted heavily. There are a few I've bought that I hated but I paid for the whole series what I would have paid for one book, so I don't consider it a loss. I was taking a chance anyway.

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    1. Ah, you speak Japanese though, so I can understand the want for that, it would be strange otherwise.. I never remember to use the Goodreads status updates, I usually read all in one space of time and never get around to updating, oops? I agree, if it's heavily discounted, you'd be a fool otherwise :)

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  11. I am currently laughing SO HARD right now, because ALL THESE HABITS ARE MINE!!
    Although, due to money reasons, I don't buy every edition I can find of all books. I prefer to buy different books. But if I could afford it...I would own around 10 different editions of the Harry Potter books.
    The multiple copies thing seems to only apply to Harry Potter. I have no real desire to get multiple copies of my other books, despite often loving the US editions better.

    With the not taking notes thing...I just have a ridiculously good memory. Especially when it comes to books I've read. I am constantly scaring my friends with my memory...it weirds them out.
    I've never found it that odd, to be honest. But, then again, it's my mind.

    And I am constantly writing multiple reviews at once. I read too fast, and I write reviews fairly slowly, so it just sort-of happens.
    Again, it's the good memory thing that allows me to do this. I'm also constantly reading multiple books at once. At the moment I'm currently reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Ballad, and Copper Bartholomew is Dead. And I don't have any trouble figuring out which is which while reading.

    Buying a complete series before reading...I don't do this often! It usually happens in conjunction with birthday/Christmas presents. I usually try to read completely unfamiliar books by borrowing them from the library, and then buying them.
    A lot of people don't understand why I buy books after I've already read them...but I often get reread cravings (where I just really, really feel like rereading a particular book), which means I like to always have the books on hand.

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    1. Oh Cassie, god bless you and these habits! Memory is a great thing, yours is clearly super and amazing, I might need to borrow it soon! I can understand the buying a whole series after you've read it (I don't personally, I have a post about it coming soon), especially if you're going to reread it, so I see the logic. They're your habits Cassie, embrace them, even if losers like me don't understand them much ;)

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  12. 1. I can happily say I've never collected numerous copies of any of my books. Though I kind of do want special editions of Fangirl, Eleanor and Park and The Book Thief….

    2. I TAKE NOTES! When I first began reviewing, I definitely took notes, I wrote down my reactions throughout the entire book. That lated for about two months, then I stopped, started again and stopped. Now that I have a Kindle, it's so much easier, especially since I can highlight the text and add notes and it's just so lovely. I don't always take notes though, so that does make it a bit hard.Ok, I'm talking a lot now…

    3. Er, uh, well, you see….I'm a huge procrastinator. Like I said, I take notes for my books and then I sort of put off writing the review until the day it's "due"…which I told myself I wouldn't do this year. Ahem….Luckily for me (kind of), I'm mostly a contemporary reader. But then that just makes it harder sometimes because they can blend together.

    I write my reviews in order, unless it's an ARC which comes out soon, then it takes priority. So whatever book I read last that I haven't reviewed, I start from there. I have no idea how I'm able to write reviews without notes and weeks (aha, try a couple months) afterwards….

    4. I've bought a couple series without reading the first book, mostly trilogies. The Syrena Legacy, The Lunar Chronicles, the Burn For Burn series, and Anna and The French Kiss (bought one and two to begin with). I figure I'll enjoy them, so I buy them. It doesn't help that they were fairly cheap so I was like "Why not?". Though only my Anna trilogy is complete as of now.

    --Amber

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    1. Ah, I understand that, wanting them but can't have them, it sucks doesn't it Amber? The Kindle is great that it does that, I can highlight things on my laptop, but it's not quite the same.. Contemporaries do blend don't they, I try to avoid too similar books after one another, or books in series after one another, they blend too much. When the series is cheap, go for it I say, it's foolish not to in those circumstances!

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  13. Get ready for a HUGE text wall Amanda… lol

    Okay, as for the first, I totally understand you. There is only one book I currently own two editions of (Fangirl), and one is Hardcover and one is Paperback, and I love both too much to get rid of one, though I am a little pissed because since the PB came out there have already been additional TWO special edition hardcover copies. Like, they're gorgeous, but I can't really justify getting them, and why do you need three different special editions to a book the YEAR it came out?!
    Aside for that, I own multiple copies of HP - I have a set in Hebrew, the new Scholastic covers cause they're gorgeous and a few of the old versions I had, which the good conditioned ones were given to my cousin and the bad conditioned ones I'll probably give to the library/second books store, when I have the time. I also bought the PJ books twice, but the first set I gave to my cousin as well, but I had the really ugly versions at first and then there was a discount on the HC boxset so....
    But, Even when I buy two editions, I don't keep both.

    I don't take notes, unless I have a lot to say I don't want to forget (and this usually happens in rants, where I don't mind stopping the book because it's already torturing me). I have no trouble remembering I didn't like the beginning, or where things picked up, etc. Even a week later. And often, I'm just unable to stop to write this note. Occasionally, I will write something in two words to ignite my memory later on, but usually nothing more than that.

    I admit to building up reviews, as you call it. Sometimes, I'm not in a mood to write a review. Or I'm on a reading kick and can't stop myself long enough to go online and write the review. I don't mind that. Sometimes, I won't write a review at all – and that's how I figure out I didn't have much to say from the beginning – and others, I've no trouble recalling all the emotions. Personally, I like noting flaws I didn't before, as you put it. Because if I can think of them, it means I did in fact notice them. But in those cases, I make sure to mention it's not something that bothered me while reading. I will admit I once let a review stew for a MONTH before writing it :P Just this past week, I wrote three reviews one after the other for the books I read last week, so naturally, I didn't review them with finishing the book.
    It all depends on my mood. Some books, I review right away. Some I don't. And sometimes, I let a written review stew and come back to it a month later, only to realize the review is not really what I wanted to say at all, and the distance cleared my head enough to see it.

    I don't buy complete series at once. Like, ever. Only after I read the first book, do I consider getting the rest of the books. It makes no sense to me, even when I see a really gorgeous and discounted boxset. Like, what if I won't like it despite it being a really popular series? Then I just wasted 40$ with which I could've gotten books I WOULD enjoy! No thank you. I'm broken enough as it is.

    Great post! (Even if it turns out our reviewing system is quite different! :D)

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    1. It was a huge wall of text, couldn't even reply and still view it all, eep! I can understand that if you have no problem remembering it all, the notes aren't vital, if it works for you, keep it. I sometimes feel that way about writing reviews, that's why I'll review a book the morning after I finish one, sometimes the sleep and can clear the fog and let me see it on more a constructive rather than emotional level. I'm with you on the series though, like, chill out, try the first and go from there. It's one of the reasons I tend to stick with series from the library and then buy, works better that way. Thank you though hunny! :)

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  14. 1. LOL I do this. I used to only have the paperbacks of the PJO series but then i was like NO I MUST GET THE HBs. So then I did and now I have double copies of the series, heh.

    2. Yeah, this is also me. I don't really take notes. I happen to have an excellent memory, so I don't find it all that hard to recall things. I mean, sometimes when I do rant reviews, I'll leave in some notes but majority of the time, I can remember things quite well.

    3. I sometimessssssss do this. Like when I wrote that post with 18 reviews in it lol. But most of the times, I review it within one day of reading the book.

    4. Hmm, I don't think I do this? Actually....I bought the raven boys and the dream thieves but I DNFed the raven boys the first time around. LOL okay I clearly do all of these things that you don't understand then

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    1. Ah, but you ADORE Percy Jackson, I understand why you wanted more editions, although it's a little weird.. Everyone has very good memories, like woah, I'm amazed at you all. We all have different habits, people hate me reading spoilers, it's what makes us tick. No worries Mel, I still love you.

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  15. I totally understand where you're coming from Amanda! Buying multiple copies of books when you have one already (unless you're planning to give one away as a gift or something) doesn't really make any sense.

    As I read, I'll sometimes take notes, or use those sticky tags to mark key moments which jog my memory about a certain aspect of the story/quotes. Letting reviews build up is something I can't stand, so as soon as I finish a book (or at least before I start another one), I'll make sure to review the last one I read so that I can start on a clean slate. I've never bought a series without reading at least the first book beforehand, but I was almost tempted to do that for the Mara Dyer trilogy once.

    Great discussion! :)

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  16. I....totally do all of this....

    1. Because I HAVE TO JUST HAVE THEM ALL. I think it is a hoarding thing. I like to collect books as much as read them. Yes, I have multiple copies of books.

    2. It is because I am lazy. I don't enjoy writing reviews anyways, and it shows sometimes in my reviews. I just mainly go off from memory because I am just a horrible note taker in general.

    3. As someone who is currently 7 reviews behind.....I have no idea how I do it, but I do.

    4. Okay, I don't do this, I must admit.

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  17. I'm someone who has multiple copies of multiple books. Here me out. For some series (HP, The Hunger Games) I have special editions of. I actually just bought a brand new set of HP hardcovers this week because my originals were damaged, and I don't like reading the paperbacks because there's always the risk of breaking the spines. I have UK and US editions of Throne of Glass because I hated the original US cover. Once that changed, I started buying the US versions. I also have multiple editions because I'll see a signed copy available of a favorite or something like that. Then there's the instances of paperbacks being released with my blog mentioned in it so I HAVE to have those.

    I also don't take notes because I don't really feel I have to. If there are quotes I want to remember, of course I'll write those down, but unless something outrageous happens, I don't write anything else down about. But I almost always finish books within one or two days so I feel like everything is fresh in my memory.

    The other two things I definitely don't do. Like I said earlier about having everything fresh in my memory - it's because I write reviews AS SOON as I'm done with the book. I literally can't operate any other way.

    As for buying entire series at a time.. I have a couple box sets that I got for extremely cheap, like at library sales, or as gifts, but I definitely don't make this a habit, because, as you said, you might not even like the first book so what are you supposed to do with an entire series??

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  18. I had the sad habit of building up needing to write a review. It usually happens because i'm not in a reviewing mood but Im in a reading mood. After awhile I do start forgetting details

    I buy full series if I like the first or second book and want to read them anxiously. Doesn't always work out but usually does. Then again I'm an avid book buyer

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