5 Easy Steps to Surviving Your First Book Breakup
You saw it coming on page one, but everyone said you looked cute together, and you hoped maybe this would be the book to change your life. So you kept reading. The reviews were good. The cover was flashy. Why weren’t you in love?! But by chapter 3, you didn’t need to know why, you just knew it was time to break up and put the book down. It’s not easy, but every reader’s done it. Here’s how to survive your first book breakup.
Step 1: Take a break
You may worry you’ll never love another book again, even though this kind of thinking is arguably the mark of a self-indulgent novice reader. But since denial is the first stage of any major life change, go easy on yourself. Put a bookmark in the troubled title and promise to get back to your book when you finish the next one. You just need a break. (And remember, there’s no shame in going back to an old flame—when it’s a book. None of your friends will roll their eyes when you tell them that this time, it’ll be different. We promise.)
Step 2: Admit it’s time
This breakup is happening, whether you like it or not. And you might not like the way it feels, being temporarily book-less. Don’t freak out. Sure, your body may go into shock. That’s natural. Give yourself time to adjust to your new reality. Remind yourself new books are coming, books you will love, books you will finish. Books that will stay with you forever.
Step 3: Visit the book store
When you’re ready, spend some time browsing through the aisles of your local B&N. Run your hands over the spines. Smell the classics. You may not quite be ready for a new book yet, but it’s nice to know that when you are, they’ll be there. It’s important during this time to keep up appearances. Remember to shower and avoid eating too much ice cream. Save it for when you want to celebrate finding your next book!
Step 4: Ask questions
You may find yourself replaying the book in your mind, looking for an explanation. It’s common to ask questions like, “What was the author trying to tell me?” or “How come I never clicked with the main character?” or even “Why me? Why now?” But there may be no answers. When you understand this, you’ll be ready for step 5.
Step 5: Accept your fate
Future happiness lies not in a book that was never right for you anyway, but on the shiny shelves of your favorite book store, and in the cozy comfort of your favorite book club. Surround yourself with readers who read widely and voraciously, and soon you will find yourself running through a field of daffodils with your nose buried in a book once again. This is the cycle of life. Or at least the cycle of reading. Hearts will be broken. Books will be read. And you shall be very glad to rejoin the fun.
How do you handle a book breakup?