What an interesting—and tricky—question from JILLIAN @ JILLIAN THE BOOKISH BUTTERFLY who asks us what defines book addict vs book lover:
First of all, how do you define a book addict and a book lover? Which one are you? What are the differences between the two? Do you think that being a book addict is harmful for a person? Are there merits to being a book addict vs a book lover?
I think that one can be a book lover without being a book addict, but I am not sure that the reverse is true. I think that a book lover can be someone for whom books are a revered pastime, but something that is a part of an otherwise busy and fulfilling life. I think that a book addict, on the other hand, views books as the most important part of a life that comprises, well, largely books.
A book lover might read 30-60 minutes a day, which works out to 30-60 books per year. They may love to read, and may think of it as their favorite hobby…but it’s probably not their only hobby. They may watch TV, or like going to movies. They may coach their kid’s cheer squad, or go to the gym several times a week. Maybe they take piano lessons, or like to bake cookies for bake sales. Regardless, books aren’t the only focus of their lives.
For the book addict, well, that’s likely not true. They read, and when they aren’t reading, they are thinking about reading. They may have a kindle tucked under their leg during a dental procedure, so that when the dentist goes to read the X-rays, they can sneak in a few pages. They read at lunch in the car while eating. They may keep a separate kindle in the bathroom. They read standing up in grocery lines. They read at football games. They read at family reunions. Movie theaters. Intermissions. Airports. Cruise ships.
Book addicts can no more NOT read than they can NOT breathe.
I’m an addict.
As to whether this addiction is harmful, well…I guess it could be, if it interfered with things in your life that were actually important. If you lost you job because you were reading in the stairwell, or if you got hit by a car because you were reading in the crosswalk then, sure. Harmful.
But most addicts I know are only missing out on TV shows and movies and football games, and that seems harmless enough.
What about you? Do you think you are a book lover or a book addict?
The Let’s Talk Bookish meme is hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books & Dani @ Literary Lion.
fifty-two 
I have yet to bring a Kindle with me to the dentist but that’s probably because I try to avoid that scenario as much as I possibly can 😂 I’m definitely a book addict though and thankfully, haven’t found it a harmful addiction (yet?) but I’m totes missing out on all the shows/movies etc.! Great post 🙂
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I think I’m an addict now but have been a book lover in the past. I think we can switch roles back and forth
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I’m somewhere in between. I Do take my kindle to places I know I will be waiting, or sat around with not much to do. I also read rather than watch TV
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my laptop had a tizzy and posted before I’d finished writing!
So I read as my main hobby/pastime but I do leave the house without my kindle (or a reading app), though my kindle HAS to go with me on holiday or days out.
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If we’re going with the softer, more metaphorical definition of addict (rather than the more medical one where it’s an addiction because it is done to the point of harm) then I’m at least borderline addict.
I definitely have other interests — and at times they make largely take me away from reading. But reading is what I always return to.
And one way or another I essentially always have something to read within easy reach, and at any non-trivial amount of downtime I’m most likely going to reach for said book (whether physical, kindle, or in extremis the kindle app on my phone)
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