A Great Reader Is…

By Rachel

2015-Discussion-ChallengeI wanted to put together a discussion on what makes a “great reader” – is it someone who is well read (whatever definition you place on that), is it someone who is well versed in classics, or is it someone who reads 100 books a year? When trying to piece together my thoughts I ended up with the following post, and decided to run with it, just as it is. To all the great readers – from one Book Geek to another –

A great reader is someone who understands the unrelenting need to read the written word.

A great reader is someone who doesn’t judge or criticise others based on genre, style or author.

A great reader is empathetic, accepting and understanding – their reading life has taught them that there are many, many characters in this world, and that there is room for all of them.

A great reader encourages others to read, in whatever way may suit them… perhaps being slightly over-enthusiastic in their encouragement…

A great reader never gives up trying to find that next great story, the one that whisks them up and takes them away on a great adventure.

A great reader reads classics, and contemporary, fact and fiction. Maybe all of them at the same time. Maybe only one.

A great reader will judge a book based on its cover, obsess over book-boyfriends and fictional heroes, and will feel a rush of excitement like no other at the mention of “a sequel”.

A great reader has the ability to pick-up on the mention of “a book” from a long distance – their eyes glazing over with nostalgia, remembering the books that made them fall in love with reading.

A great reader will always appreciate the smell of a book store, because it almost smells like home.

Belle Gif The Book Is Better

What would you add? Tell me your thoughts on what makes a great reader.

About Rachel

Avid reader & #bookblogger. Lover of all things business. A fan of drinks & dancing. Ever optimistic. Feminist.

21 Responses

  1. Emily

    Reblogged this on The Geek Undergraduate and commented:
    A reader Is some one who reads, a great reader is some one who reads with passion and understanding. There is a great reader in all of us, we just meerly have to find the right books to unlock the door. I remember fondly the nights in which i would Stay up all night as a child reading book after book after book which sparked my love of books throughout my life. But what do You think makes a great reader?

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  3. Topaz

    This is such a beautiful post, Rachel! I have to agree with everything on this list – especially the third one. Great readers learn the power and importance of empathy through the books they read, and they understand the lovely diversity of the world we live in. ❤

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    1. Rachel

      Thank you! I really do find that people who like to read seem to have a more empathetic and understanding outlook – they’ve experienced more and walked in other people’s shoes, if only figuratively! R x

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  5. Eugenia @ Genie In A Book

    Fantastic post Rachel – and so true too. Readers are diverse, and sure know how to recognise the merits of a book, often being fangirls at the same time 🙂

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    1. Rachel

      Oooooh nooo. I hoped it would read more like, great readers are all of theses things, and none of these things, if you know what I mean? That they aren’t all mutually exclusive. Perhaps I need a reworking… R x

      Liked by 1 person

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