Bookish Musings: Do You Ever Save Books for Special Occasions?

 
 

Sorry to disappoint, but this post isn’t going to be nearly as festive as it sounds. I’m not talking about saving books for Christmas or date night. I mean, ok, that could be a thing that you do, in which case it totally qualifies for this discussion, that still isn’t quite what I had in mind when I came up with this post.

No, I’m simply talking about any occasion or occurrence or reason in general that you might wait to read a certain book, like maybe saving it as a reward for completing final exams, that kinda thing. Because I actually do find myself saving books sometimes, and I thought it’d be fun to share with you all some of my reasons and then hear some of yours!


For An Apocalypse

Ok, listen. I have very few physical books that I haven’t read yet (literally like 12), and a part of me feels like I should save at least some of them just in case something apocalyptic ever happens and I have no power and therefore have no kindle. I’m gonna need something to read! Yeah, I can reread, but I’d like to at least have a few books I haven’t read. I feel like probably nothing like that will actually happen, but… what if?

 

For When I’m Not Feeling Well

Graphic novels and comics are easier for me to concentrate on and a better distraction when I’m not feeling well. So I keep trying to save the graphic novels and webcomics I want to read for whenever I’m not feeling well and need them. But admittedly I sometimes lose this fight and end up reading them even when I’m feeling fine.

 

For Bad Times

In a similar thread, I have only one series I truly consider a comfort read, but I’ve so far limited myself to reading it once a year (any more often and I think I’d end up getting sick of it, which I don’t want to happen). So I feel like maybe I should save my annual reread for when I need it most.

 

For Celebration/Reward

I did this when I moved into my apartment. The next book in one of my favorite series came out about a month before I moved, and I saved it so I’d have something good to read and celebrate/relax with once I moved in.

 

For Certain Holidays/Seasons

I know I said I wasn’t talking about holidays, but between the time I typed that and the time I’m typing this, I realized that I actually do save books sometimes and wait to read them until Christmastime if it’s a Christmas-themed book, Halloweentime if it’s a horror book, etc. For the most part I go with my reading mood, but certain books just seem more fitting in certain seasons.

 
 
 
 

Talk to me!

What sorts of special occasions do you save books for?
Have you ever used a book as a reward/celebration for something?
Am I crazy for wanting to save books in case of an apocalypse? (I can't be the only one!)

 
 
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Your Thoughts

 

60 thoughts on “Bookish Musings: Do You Ever Save Books for Special Occasions?

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  1. suzanna

    I can understand saving a book you’ve already read and loved for certain occasions – like when you’re feeling down and need a pick up. But I don’t think I’d save a book I hadn’t read. What if you didn’t like it? That would be a disaster!

    1. Kristen Burns

      I mean, okay, I don’t know that I would save a completely random book for times when I need a pick-me-up since, yeah, it obviously won’t help if it ends up not being good! But on the other hand, sometimes I think new books are even better when you need a distraction since you don’t know what will happen and might get absorbed into it even more than a reread.

  2. Julie @ Happily Ever Chapter

    Sometimes I save books for special events but it’s usually holiday romances for around Christmas, or I save a light-hearted funny book for right after I read a really angsty or heartbreaking book. Love this post!

  3. Angela

    I usually read the Harry Potter books in the fall. Sometimes I also save books to read on vacation (I pretty much always re-read old favorites when I’m on vacation).

    1. Kristen Burns

      I feel like a lot of people like reading the Harry Potter books at certain times of the year. And it definitely makes sense to save books for vacation!

  4. Karen

    I don’t know about *occasions* but I save certain books for when I know I’ll need to destress and relax. Usually my favorite authors or something light that I’m pretty sure will put me in a good mood.

    For What It’s Worth

  5. kris @ lemon-notes

    UM YES I SAVE BOOKS FOR CERTAIN OCCASIONS.
    Since I’m a complete mood reader, I save books very often for when I’m in a super particular mood, one I’m not in very often. If I want to bask in the nostalgia, I’ll read something quiet and contemplative or Harry Potter. Honestly though, I could probably read Harry Potter in any mood and be happy.
    I tooootally reward myself with books after finals. I read one book during the month in which finals were happening this year, and then after that I read 5. I think I rewarded myself with time or something?? TIME TO READ THE BOOKS I WAS SUPER EXCITED TO READ. I did the thing. Totally did.
    Also, if someone wants to go on a date with me and their idea of a date is, like, reading to each other or reading together but separately, or BUDDY READING SOMETHING AT THE SAME TIME IN THE SAME ROOM, why haven’t I met this person?? Can we also drink coffee at the same time?? And brew a potion in a cauldron that creates dragons?? PLEASE?

    1. Kristen Burns

      My mood reading doesn’t really work like that. I just get in the mood for certain books or types of books or whatever, so I never really *save* books for my moods, I just try to read based on whatever mood I’m in.

      Lol, books and time to read are the best reward/motivation!

      I totally want to go on that date now too! I mean, maybe not the dragon part because dragons sound like a lot of work? Or the coffee actually because eww I don’t like coffee đŸ˜› But the reading part!

  6. Greg

    I don’t think I really save books but I think I have, you know, at one point done something like that, saved a particular book for a special occasion. Like something I wanted to read on vacation, you know? But otherwise not really… good reasons though. The apocalypse thing might be closer than we think lol…

    sorry couldn’t resist. đŸ™‚

    I am somewhat of a seasonal reader though, so I guess I have t qualify my answer. Like you said, certain books appeal to me more in the fall and especially around Halloween- you know spooky stuff, and around Christmas I do kinda want holiday- themed stuff (though whether I actually find it is another matter). So yeah…

    And I think saving a particular book for a special occasion or whatever is a good idea…

    1. Kristen Burns

      That definitely counts! I don’t save books that often either. But you never know about that apocalypse, haha.

      Yeah, some people like to read Christmas books all year round, but I always save those for Christmas time!

  7. sjhigbee

    I certainly save certain books for holidays – books from authors or series I know I already love so that when I look back, I will on that time, I can also recall the pleasure I had from reading that book… And there are books I WON’T read when I’m particularly upset or going through a stressful time. Other than that – no. I’m certainly not a seasonal reader and until following a number of book bloggers, it didn’t even occur to me that other people did so. You learn something new every day. Thank you for a great article:)

  8. Lola

    I actually have a lot of unread physical copies. I rarely buy new ones nowadays, but I still have a bunch of unread ones. Some of them I bought years ago when i was still only buying physical copies, but I still have a bunch of unread cozies I bought early last year and a few books I bought in the last year.

    The reason I mostly save books is for when I read a reading slump. I usually try to have at least one unread Kelley Armstrong book in case I hit a bad slump. And besides that I am someone who likes looking forward and knowing there’s a book I know I will enjoy and haven’t read yet can be great.

    I do very rarely save a book for the right season, only if I think reading them then will make me enjoy it more. I have a cozy mystery set during Halloween which I am thinking of saving till this year Halloween. But in general I don’t really save books for special occasions. Like I mentioned above I do usually like to have an unread book by some of my favorite authors in case I hit a slump. But if I end up feeling in the mood for it earlier that’s okay too. Or sometimes I might not read a book as I rather wait till I am really in the mood for it. Although that’s slightly different than really saving a book.

    I do remember one time when coincidentally I just got a new book for review by SJ Pajonas and I was going through a bad time and it really helped to have a good book to read. So I can kinda see the reasoning for that, I just don’t think I ever consciously save books for that reason.

    1. Kristen Burns

      Well that’s good, at least you will have stuff to read if there’s ever an apocalypse lol. See, I never save books for reading slumps because if there’s a book I’m really excited for, I just read it immediately.

      That makes sense to save Halloween books for Halloween time. I mean, I save Christmas books for Christmas time. I also sometimes save cold weather books. Like if a book is set somewhere snowy or in the winter, I sometimes will save it for winter time lol.

  9. Di @ Book Reviews by Di

    Hmmmm…. I definitely have favourite rereads that I use either to get me out of a slump or hangover or even just a comforting feel good read. I’m not sure that I ever really save books though?

    I put off books sometimes if I know a new wine in a particular series is coming out soon or if the series is nearly complete or something, then I might hold off to be able to read more/all of them, but I’m not sure this counts.

    All things considered, especially apocalyptic events, maybe I should be saving some reading material!

  10. chucklesthescot

    With about 600 or more physical books still to read on my shelves I think I’m in good shape for the apocalypse! Plus all the rereads I can enjoy of course…and I have lots of batteries and solar powered lights to make sure I always have light to read by! You never know when a power cut might come. I don’t save books for special occasions mainly because I don’t have special occasions to celebrate! I just read them when I feel like it I guess.

  11. Barb (boxermommyreads)

    The biggest things I can think of basically are around the months of October and December. I love horror all year round but do find myself saving some for that month. Like this year, Stormi and I are buddy reading Rosemary’s Baby since we both picked it up recently in a sale. I also don’t read a lot of contemporary or romance but for some reason, I’m fine doing that in December around Christmas. I’m always on the lookout for Christmas horror but don’t find a lot out there.

  12. Becky @ A Fool's Ingenuity

    I have a few books I like to save for sunny days (those days require contemporary YA for some reason) and there are some books which are for I’m feeling down and want the bookish equivalent of a warm fuzzy blanket. I don’t save that many books for different occasions, though, as I am such a mood reader I more save books to suit my mood than anything else. I just have books which are more suited to other occasions but will read whenever.

    1. Kristen Burns

      Lol I never based my books on the weather, but sometimes the weather just so happens to perfectly align with what I’m reading. That’s always nice. But I feel you because I’m a mood reader too. But there are some books that make perfect comfort reads to save for days when you need them!

  13. Cee Arr

    Christmas books are for Christmastime! Lol.

    Kristen, if there’s an apocalypse, we’ll loot a book shop/library for you. You’ll have other cr*p to worry about. You can borrow some of mine if we happen to be on the same continent @ the time ;P

    I always read Joe Hill – espec. his short story collection, 20th Century Ghosts – if I really need some comfort reading! (Or comics, comics work pretty well too!)

    1. Kristen Burns

      I find it so odd that some people read Christmas book year-round lol.

      Aww, it’s good to know I have friends who will care about my bookish needs during apocalyptic times <3

      Yes! Comics are really great comfort kinda reads, like when you need a distraction!

  14. Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

    I can’t think of times that I’ve specifically saved books to read at a certain time—unless you count the fact that sometimes I’ll put aside a book I REALLY want to read as a sort of reward for reading a review book or two that I need to get to. Hmmm … not sure that’s actually a smart plan for the review books, but I know I’ve done it. I did specifically pick up All the Bright Places on my birthday because I knew I was going to love it—I spent my birthday sobbing, but it was totally worth it!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Saving books as reward definitely counts! And hey, if it gets you to do what you got to do, and you’re still able to enjoy the review copies, no harm done!

    2. Rachel

      Saving a book as a reward is a really good idea! I should probably do that, especially to get through the books I’m not particularly excited about.

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  16. Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight

    Bwhahah I love that you are straight up saving books for the apocalypse. Seems legit đŸ˜€ In seriousness though, I have SO many unread books that I often think that if the apocalypse comes at least I’ll be super busy? Maybe I can even become really apocalyptically popular by having the best library in town! I mean, entertainment will be scarce, so… maybe I can trade books for food or zombie protection or something. I like this idea!

    Sometimes I do tell myself I am saving a book to read, not for any particular occasion, but for SOME occasion that I can’t figure out? But I think that might just be me lying to myself hah.

    1. Kristen Burns

      Oh my gosh, you’re right, all the bookworms are going to have to band together and share books if there’s ever an apocalypse đŸ˜›

      I don’t save books for unknown occasions, but I do that with my clothing, so I totally get it LOL.

  17. Olivia Roach

    I used to save books for holidays, because I just knew it would be a series I would want to binge read and not have to be thinking about school or assignments for when I’m reading! I do save some books which are short quick reads for when I am sick too! Smart minds think alike đŸ˜‰

  18. Rachel

    I definitely save certain books for the time of year that I feel like they “fit” best. The obvious ones like Christmas-themed books, but I’ll also hold onto books that somehow in my mind, feel more like summer books. Or spookier-themed books for Fall. Or I’ll even hold back books with snow on the cover or that are set in cold places for winter when it’s colder outside. I don’t think I really have a rhyme or reason why I wait on some books. It’s funny to think about, though!

    1. Kristen Burns

      Oh my gosh, I save snowy books for when it’s cold out two! I thought I was the only one! I have this one review copy that’s set at a ski lodge that I didn’t get to last winter, and now I feel bad because I probably won’t get to it until it’s winter again lol.

  19. Molly @ Molly's Book Nook

    I’ve never really done this. I think I’ve only read one book because of a seasonal holiday before and that was Halloween with a “scary” book. Otherwise, I just read whatever. I’m too much of a mood reader to actually save books for certains times. My husband used to do that with LOTR, though. He used to read the trilogy every Christmas

  20. Evelina

    I’ve had this blog post of yours open for like a week, through lack of time to finally read it đŸ™‚

    I can totally relate to the apocalypse one. It’s how I make an excuse for buying mor ebooks for my kindle đŸ˜€ I’m imagining I wouldn’t run out of books, although of course I’d have to find some pedal-charger or something đŸ˜€ đŸ˜€

    And for some reason I always have trouble concentrating on graphic novels. But I used to draw those when I was a teen! Like, not comic strips. Actual long stories.

    I normally just keep books for like… “for when I want a warm read”. It’s like the kind of feeling when you want tea or cocoa, but in book form? I’m sure you know what I mean đŸ˜€

    Also. How are you feeling?

    1. Kristen Burns

      No worries! I don’t mind when you comment, I just appreciate that you do đŸ™‚

      Well see, that’s the problem. I have a crap ton of ebooks, but I won’t be able to read them if I have no power lol.

      That’s interesting, I find graphic novels so much easier to concentrate on. That’s so cool that you used to make them though!

      I don’t think I save warm reads, but I get what you’re saying!

      1. Evelina

        Yeah. I try to ignore that big where the electricity goes out. Need to invest into some magic bike which you pedal and it charges your kindle đŸ˜€ I’ve heard about those solutions! Except they’re more like for emergencies? Wonder how long you’d have to do it to change something.
        One day I will make a warm reads collection and share them đŸ™‚ but I don’t have quite enough yet đŸ˜€

        1. Kristen Burns

          Oh man, that would be great if we could charge things through a bike or something if electricity ever went out. Except I would never have the energy to ride a bike. And it would probably take forever just to charge one little thing lol.

  21. Cristina @ Girl in the Pages

    I definitely do this, or at least I do something similar with saving books for particular moods/seasons. The problem ends up being that I never eventually get around to reading them if I’m saving them for more vague occasions (such as “the perfect rainy, winter day” or “ideal beach trip”) or I just save them in general because I’m so looking forward to them and want to have a long stretch of uninterrupted reading time (which rarely happens) and then before you know it, it’s been two years and it’s still sitting on my “shelf of shame” (the name my boyfriend gave my shelf where I keep all of my unread physical books lol) Great discussion, as always! đŸ™‚

    1. Kristen Burns

      Ok I don’t really do this with books, but I totally get what you’re saying because I’ve done it with clothing lol. I have some clothes in my closet that I was saving for some vague special occasion when I bought them, so I’ve still never worn them. Shelf of Shame, that’s too funny!

  22. HEATHER DUFF

    If an apocalypse happens I have four bookcases full of books to keep me going so I’m sorted and may I be struck down for saying this but if they are crap them I have something to start a fire with!! I usually save for holidays the JD Robb In Death series, they are my Florida reads!

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