Reader Species: Filipino Fridays (1)

When I saw the topic for today’s Filipino Fridays, I knew I couldn’t miss it. I’m up to my eyeballs in work these days, but Filipino Fridays is an annual tradition leading up to the Filipino ReaderCon, and it’s always fun to join in.

Today’s Filipino Friday topic is based on Laura E. Kelley’s infographic about Reader Species, and how we would classify ourselves.

Here’s the infographic for reference:

Please include attribution to Laura E. Kelly with this graphic. (Click to view at original large size.)

Visit Laura-e-Kelly.com for more about books, reading, and authors.

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While I exhibit a mix of various reader traits, such as the Situational Reader (app-happy, travelling reader, bathroom reader), the Social Reader (obviously, book clubber), or the Free-range Reader (the all-the-timer and the cross-under reader), and even the Conflicted Reader (no-time-to-read reader and delayed onset reader), I think I would best fall under the Compulsive Reader.

I’m a Compulsive Reader of the Book Cherisher kind, particularly:

• The OCD Reader: I only loan books to people I trust, with much caution. I even have “loan copies” of some books.
• The Book Preserver: I cannot read a book without protective plastic cover. In fact, I have been known to return borrowed books already covered because I simply can’t help it. And I try my darndest not to break the spine, which is why I prefer hardcovers, because paperbacks crease so easily along the spine.
• A Compulsive Book Buyer (in fact, that’s exactly how I describe myself in my bio): Yes, I cannot leave a bookstore without buying a book, or two… or ten! And I have withdrawal symptoms if I don’t visit a bookstore in three days.
• The Hoarder: See above. Also why I have over 120 Harry Potter books in my collection. And why “doing a Blooey” (i.e. “upgrading” a paperback into a hardcover — is a catchphrase in my book club.
• The Immersive Reader: I’m an escapist. I like tuning everything else out while reading.

I must admit, though, that I also have some Book Abuser tendencies:

• The Re-reader: Some people think life’s too short to reread books, but I find it comforting, especially when I hit a dry spell after several dissatisfying books. And yeah, tradition calls for rereading certain books every so often, like Harry Potter, or A Room with a View.
• The Book Rescuer: I have more than 24 boxes of books currently in storage because I can’t weed out books faster than I acquire them.
• The Multitasker: Yeah, I’m a polybookist juggling at least three books at a time.

So, speaking of reader species, what’s great about the upcoming Filipino Reader Conference on Nov. 9 at the Rizal Library (Ateneo de Manila University) is that all sorts of readers are welcome! Woot!

art by Trizha Ko

Check out the 2013 ReaderCon program here.

And, of course, my pet project, the Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards will be announced there as well.

our nifty new logo by Studio Dialogo!

Check out the 2013 FRCA finalists and this year’s panel of judges.

There’s lots to look forward to for ReaderCon. Meanwhile, I hope to catch up on some blog posts this weekend, and do more Filipino Fridays until ReaderCon.

Toodles!