Unique Reading Habits Revealed by Librarians and Friends

As a professional in the realm of literature and information management, librarians often encounter a myriad of unique reading habits among the patrons and colleagues alike. Here, we explore some of the strangest ways individuals have read books, highlighting a few experiences from librarians and a friend who engages in some unconventional reading methods.

Library Users and Their Unusual Book Frames

Librarian Experience: During my stint as a librarian, I observed a most peculiar manner of reading a book. A user brought a book portal to our library—a device that allows users to frame books digitally. This individual placed the book in the portal and read it with full concentration. To me, this approach introduced a new dimension to digital reading, one that encapsulates both the physicality and the digitization of texts.

Reading the End First, Then the Beginning

Colleague’s Approach: At a previous library job, I had a colleague who had an unusual reading habit. Instead of starting from the beginning, she would read the last couple of pages or the entire final chapter first. Her reasoning was simple: she wanted to set her expectations for the overall tone of the book—a happy, sad, or even suspenseful ending. She found this method particularly effective with print books, as it was relatively easy to navigate to the end compared to digital formats. This habit demonstrates a unique approach to emotional engagement with literature.

Reading Children’s Books Backward

Patron’s Experience: Another librarian anecdote involves a patron who read children's books from the back to the front. Despite the unconventional method, this individual seemed to genuinely enjoy the stories this way. It underscores the adaptability of literature and the personal connection readers can have with texts, even if it is in a reversed manner.

A Friend's Reading Habits and Epic Incident

Unconventional Reading Practice: I must admit that among my friends, there is one individual with a rather peculiar habit of reading everything aloud. Initially, I found this amusing, but over time, it became rather disruptive. The situation escalated to an absurd level when he read one of my erotic novels. As expected, the room filled with giggling and embarrassment, especially from my male classmates, who experienced unexpected physiological reactions to his vocal inflections. This incident not only earned him permanent teasing but also strained our relationship.

Conclusion

These anecdotes offer a glimpse into the diverse and often quirky ways individuals approach the act of reading. From digital portal frames to reading from the end to the beginning, and even reading backward—a librarian’s job is filled with the unexpected. Each of these unique reading habits adds to the rich tapestry of human interaction with books and digital literature.