Have you ever re-gifted a book you’ve been given?

Yes, but not in the way you think! I received Without You by Anthony Rapp of Rent fame during my obsessed-with-musical-theater phase in high school. 15-year-old Nika absolutely loved it. 24-year-old Nika wasn’t quite as into it. It sat on my shelf for nearly a decade before I gave it as a gift to my super talented cousin who I’m convinced is the next Daniel Day Lewis.

Have you ever said you’ve read a book when you haven’t?

I hate that the answer to this question is yes. I rarely affirmatively lie, but I do nod along when everyone else is talking about a book that I haven’t read. Am I alone in this??

Have you ever borrowed a book and not returned it?

My middle school library was not on top of overdue books. Long story short, my copy of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is courtesy of an overworked librarian’s oversight. I also think my copies of Esperanza Rising and The Phantom Tollbooth were shoved into the depths of my book bag and never returned to their proper home in my elementary school classrooms.

Have you ever read a series out of order?

I don’t think so! I did watch the second Thor movie before the first one though...

Have you ever spoiled a book for someone?

I spoiled Little Women for my grandma a few months ago. She was reading it for the first time (on my recommendation). I can’t bring myself to share what I revealed in case someone reading this hasn’t read Little Women yet. I will say, however, that those of you who have read the book can probably guess the deeply depressing plot point that I let slip.

Have you ever told someone you don’t own a book when you do?/Have you ever bad-mouthed a book you actually liked?

I have an excessive collection of self-help and inspirational books. While I proudly (and regularly) proclaim my love for Brene Brown, I may have once said I thought The Secret was “kind of stupid” when I own not one but two copies (audio and print). I was also deeply obsessed with the Twilight Saga from ages 11 to 15 and absolutely avoided discussing it once I entered high school.

Have you ever skipped a chapter or section of a book?

Warning that this is an unpopular opinion. I really, really wanted to love The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, but the general feeling I experienced while trying to get through it was irritation. I read the first half diligently and only made it through bits and pieces of the latter half.

Have you ever dog-eared a book?

I’m coming in hot with another unpopular opinion: I don’t see the big deal with dog eared books. I collect bookmarks and think they look pretty, so I typically use them at home and when I remember to bring one with me. But, in a pinch, I don’t mind a small fold at the top of a page. Now, I would never dog ear a book someone lent me because I know people have very strong feelings about this. That said, I think a little wear and tear shows a book has been loved.