. Judith is a book blogger from the Netherlands who not only loves to read at home but also on vacation. While she didn't confess just how heavy her book bag is when traveling, I sure hope to hear about
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While Birgit is still going on her holidays, most of us only have memories to look back on. Maybe you didn’t even go anywhere this summer. But in any case, I will reveal to you what kind of reader you are on the basis of how you spent your holidays (past or present). I’ll also give you some reading advice now that you’re back home!
So, answer these questions and write down the number of As, Bs, Cs, and Ds you choose.
Question 1
You’re going on holiday tomorrow and you’ve got your reading sorted: your books and magazines are ready to be packed. While you’re doing some last minute shopping, you walk past a book shop. You:
a) Keep walking, the bakery is next door… yum!
b) Go in to have a quick look, just for fun.
c) You go in because you’re not sure you have enough books for the holiday – you buy a few more.
d) You look in the window but your favorite shop assistant, the guy who is the only reason you ever enter the book store, isn’t there. You walk on.
Question 2
You are on the plane towards your destination and the friendly woman next to you has been making small talk with you… for the last 3 hours. You:
a) Enjoy the conversation and offer her a few chocolates from a box that you bought tax-free at the airport.
b) Say: “I better finish reading this, I need to give the book back to someone when we get off.” [pointing vaguely at the rows of seats in front]
c) Turn back to your book that has been on your lap all the while and ignore her for the next hour.
d) Answer the woman on automatic pilot and try to catch the eye of the guy on the other side of the aisle.
Question 3
You’re at your destination airport. You have to wait a few minutes for the coach to bring you to your holiday hotel. You:
a) Look around you for a trash can. You enjoyed a few chocolates while waiting.
b) Keep thinking about your book, but don’t dare to get it out, in case you’ll get too engrossed and miss the coach.
c) Get out your book (the one from the plane) and read, almost missing the arrival (and departure) of the coach.
d) Try out your Spanish on the nice looking man behind the Avis desk.
Question 4
It’s breakfast time! You’re having a nice, relaxed breakfast with your holiday companions in the hotel restaurant, but one thing is missing:
a) The marmalade! How could they!
b) Your book – but you can’t read in company. That would be impolite.
c) Nothing! You have your book, toast with marmalade. What else would you need for breakfast?
d) The man you met last night. He turned out to be married and you chucked him out at midnight.
Question 5
You are having a great time in the sun, at the beach. You:
a) Have a hot-dog and a sangria in your hands, almost spilling them over your creased magazine.
b) Are having a good time with your beach read, which you enjoy when not swimming in the sea.
c) Are making good progress at War and Peace.
d) Have a book in your hands but are too busy checking out the “views”.
Question 6
It’s the evening and after a day at the beach, it’s time to hit the town! You:
a) Are looking forward to a nice meal in the all-you-can-eat restaurant (reasonably priced, too).
b) Hope to be back early enough to have a bit of time reading before going to sleep.
c) Ask your friends to bring you back a doggy bag – you just have to finish this book!
d) Are waiting to be picked up by José, who will take you to the disco.
Question 7
You are out on a day trip to the nearest big city. You and your friends have planned a full day of museums, parks, and shops. You:
a) Eat cake with your coffee, a waffle for on the go, lunch at the museum, ice cream in the park, some donuts while looking for a nice restaurant, and you bought some chocolates for in the plane, on the way home.
b) You enjoy the science museum and spend some time looking at the interesting books in the museum shop.
c) You especially love the park: sitting in the sun on a bench reading while your friends visit yet another museum.
d) You especially love the park: sitting in the sun on a bench, watching the local guys roller blading.
Question 8
The holiday is over and you’re back home. Your book situation is as follows. You:
a) Bought a cook book with local recipes while on holiday.
b) Never got through them all. You’re always overestimating what you’ll be able to read. But you managed at least 6. Not bad.
c) Finished them all! Had to get some fluffy trash novels from the hotel book shop too (it was all they had).
d) Mustn’t forget to take the bookmarks out of your book. They’re notes with email addresses from the guys you met.
Mostly As. You’re not much of a reader, are you? I suggest you try out audiobooks which you can listen to while you’re running, cycling, or on the home trainer. Yes, you do need the exercise, after all that holiday food!
Mostly Bs. You are an avid reader but you know when to stop. If you read a variety of books, you’ll never get bored.
Mostly Cs. Oops! Aren’t you overdoing the reading a bit? You are being impolite and unsociable just because you have to finish that book. Don’t take your books to outings with friends unless you’re going to a book club!
Mostly Ds. Well, reading isn’t high on your list. Instead, you’re living a chick-lit life. It’s all very well, but some quiet time with a real chick-lit might be fun, too. Have you tried Marian Keyes?