Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish back in June 2010. It is currently hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and, as is stated on the blog, it was “born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.”

There’s something you should know about me: I love a good list. Some would say that’s the Virgo in me. So a bookish tag that is all about lists is completely up my alley! The theme for this Top Ten Tuesday is all about changes in your reading habits. I had to think about this for awhile. I’m not very good at recognizing my habits, tbh, but I finally came up with a few.

10 Ways My Reading Habits Have Changed

1. I listen to WAY more audiobooks

I was never specifically anti-audiobook, but I spent a lot of my life very skeptical of them. I had no real reason besides the fact that I thought it was “weird” to listen to a book. I know, I know… it makes no sense, but that’s how my younger self felt. Now, as a woman solidly in her late thirties, I’ve come to realize how wonderful audiobooks can be! They’ve helped me to read some classics that I would never have got through if I was reading a physical copy. I’ve rated books higher simply because the narrator knocked it out of the park. And I’ve certainly read more this year because I’ve incorporated audiobooks into my reading routine.

2. Similarly, I read WAY more e-books

I feel like this is mostly because of Netgalley. I really started using my Netgalley account more this past year and they use e-ARCs as opposed to physical ARCs. I also have Amazon Prime, which comes with Prime Reading and, thus, more e-books! I will still always prefer a physical book, but I have to admit that the convenience of having a full library’s worth of books available on one little device is A+. I’ve been reading so many e-books lately that I’m actually considering getting a Kindle…

3. I discovered ARCs

Speaking of Netgalley, I really started using their site this past year. I suppose I had known abut ARCs before, but I never really tried to get any. This was mostly because I thought I would instantly be rejected. I finally decided that I would never know if I didn’t try and started requesting books. And, lo and behold, I started getting approved! I still get a thrill whenever I get an approval email or when a physical copy shows up in the mail!

4. I actually write reviews

This kind of goes with the last point because with ARCs comes the responsibility to review. Why would the publishers waste money on sending out advanced copies in any format if there was nothing to be gained from it? Early reviews create early hype which hopefully leads to increased sales. That is the real purpose of an ARC. Knowing this, I started to consistently review what I read, whether or not it was an ARC.

5. I take notes while reading

This is a very recent change and it came about because of my effort to consistently review the books I read. I realized that, quite often, I couldn’t retain much about the books I was reading. It didn’t matter whether I hated or loved the book… it felt like as soon as I set it down, my brain dumped all but the most basic information about it. So now I have a notebook where I jot down my feelings as I read through the book. Again, it’s a more recent thing, but I feel like it’s a habit that will stick. It’s certainly helping me to think more critically about what I’m reading!

6. I will read more than one thing at a time

Yet another reason I need a notebook to track my thoughts! I use to read one thing at a time and would refuse to pick up another book until I had finished my current one. Now, I’ll typically have an audiobook, an e-book, and a physical book going all at once. Sometimes, if a particular book is really sucking me in, I’ll devote all my time to living in that world and no other books are allowed, but more often than not, I’m bouncing all over the place.

7. I’ve broadened my reading horizons

I used to reading strictly fantasy and sci-fi. Full stop. If the book wasn’t billed as one of those two things, I wouldn’t pick it up. Now, I’ll read anything that I find interesting: mysteries, thrillers, non-fiction, historical fiction, romance, contemporary… anything! Fantasy and sci-fi will always be my first loves and my go-tos, but I’m much happier now that I’m not so restrictive.

8. I use the library more

This is not to say that I don’t have a TON of books, but I’ve recently been consciously borrowing more of the books I read. I feel like that has helped to open up my reading, as well. If there’s a book that I’m kind of interested in, but not sure about, I’ll pick it up at the library rather than spend my hard-earned money on it. Then, if I end up loving it, I’ll go purchase a copy to help support the author and to add it to my personal collection. I’ve found a lot of new loves through the library that I probably wouldn’t have taken a chance on if I had had to purchase them upfront! Our local library also has a ton of other benefits, such as free museum passes and, of course, access to Overdrive books. Libraries are freakin’ great, y’all.

9. I’m beginning to prefer hardcover books…

I don’t know what’s happening to me, but I just like the feel of a hardcover book way more than that of a paperback. I used to be the exact opposite! I thought hardcovers were unwieldy and ugly. And they were definitely more expensive. I feel like being part of the Book of the Month Club has something to do with this change. Cheap, new hardcovers in genres that I love? Yes, please!

10. I read WAY more

Not counting last year in which I was in a terrible reading slump, I read way more than when I was younger. I don’t know if it’s because I have more time to read (certainly doesn’t feel like it…) or it’s because I prioritize reading more. I have other things I enjoy doing, but reading is my comfort zone. It’s the first thing I want to do when I have some down time. It makes me feel better if I’ve had a rough day. It’s how I unwind and I can’t imagine how stressed I would be without it.