What do you think?
Rate this book
Reading Quirks: Weird Things that Bookish Nerds Do!
A light-hearted ode to the immense pleasure of reading and its resulting neuroses in a collection of cartoons created by beloved bookstore The Wild Detectives
Who hasn’t peeked over the shoulder of the person reading next to them on the subway, curious about the book in their hands? Who doesn’t secretly love skipping the party to stay home and read? Who hasn’t daydreamed of catching the eye of a future significant other as you discover from across the room that you’re reading the same book? If you’re a reader, you know you’ve been there, and probably in so many other weird places as well, right? That’s what happens with readers, they have these strange traits, these particular ways, that separate them from the rest. Reading Quirks explores, in 72 lighthearted four-frame cartoons, all these weird things readers do, from the existential dilemma of picking your next read to the frustrations of watching an overzealous dog-earer in action. The series was written and created by a bookstore in Dallas, The Wild Detectives, originally as a social media campaign—a way to connect with other readers over a shared understanding of what it means to be crazy about books. Laura Pacheco’s adorable illustrations introduce a cast of endearing characters, whose flaws and obsessions range from disarming good nature to mischievous playfulness. Reading Quirks is a witty and light-hearted ode to the immense pleasure of reading and its resulting byproduct: neurosis.
Who hasn’t peeked over the shoulder of the person reading next to them on the subway, curious about the book in their hands? Who doesn’t secretly love skipping the party to stay home and read? Who hasn’t daydreamed of catching the eye of a future significant other as you discover from across the room that you’re reading the same book? If you’re a reader, you know you’ve been there, and probably in so many other weird places as well, right? That’s what happens with readers, they have these strange traits, these particular ways, that separate them from the rest. Reading Quirks explores, in 72 lighthearted four-frame cartoons, all these weird things readers do, from the existential dilemma of picking your next read to the frustrations of watching an overzealous dog-earer in action. The series was written and created by a bookstore in Dallas, The Wild Detectives, originally as a social media campaign—a way to connect with other readers over a shared understanding of what it means to be crazy about books. Laura Pacheco’s adorable illustrations introduce a cast of endearing characters, whose flaws and obsessions range from disarming good nature to mischievous playfulness. Reading Quirks is a witty and light-hearted ode to the immense pleasure of reading and its resulting byproduct: neurosis.
96 pages, Hardcover
First published February 8, 2019
3 people are currently reading
579 people want to read
About the author
The Wild Detectives
1 book5 followersThe Wild Detectives es una librería-bar en Dallas, Texas. Desde su apertura en 2014 por dos ingenieros españoles, esta pequeña librería ha albergado más de 600 eventos. Por allí han pasado escritores de la talla de Ben Fountain, Sarah Hepola, Eduardo Rabasa, Verónica Gerber Bicecci o Juan Cárdenas y artistas como Bill Callahan, Damien Jurado o Lloyd Cole. The Wild Detectives ha sido seleccionada por la prensa local como la mejor librería de Dallas en 2014, 2015, 2016 y 2018 y es reconocida nacionalmente como una de las librerías a la vanguardia en el renacimiento de las librerías independientes en los Estados Unidos.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
July 30, 2019
I just loved this series of vignettes on strange things we do for the love of books. The characters are cute and come from all walks of life. My fellow bookworm friends are going to find the situations described in this collection all too familiar: waxing lyrical about the merits of a book to a total stranger who might or might not be interested, the despair of having lost a book, loving the smell of a new book and so on. My favourite one is: Books live your life while you live theirs.
Highly recommended to all book-lovers, who are bound to find it delightfully hilarious.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
My reviews can also be found on:
https://readingtonic.home.blog/
Highly recommended to all book-lovers, who are bound to find it delightfully hilarious.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
My reviews can also be found on:
https://readingtonic.home.blog/
August 13, 2019
Reading Quirks is a collection of comics about what it is to be a book lover. I enjoyed this collection so much! I think any book lover will find so many things to relate to in here, plus some of the strips are just incredibly endearing and heartwarming (one of my favorites being the "hug your librarian" page, for obvious reasons). The art is really cute and there's some lovely inclusion (such as a few panels including characters in wheelchairs, hijabi characters, and queer couples!) as an added bonus. I just cherished this entire book so much and would love to get a print copy for my shelves, as I think it would be a great addition to any book lover's library.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 10, 2019
Well that was both delightful and highly entertaining!
"Nothing stands more between a book and you than the tyranny of living."
There were so many panels where I felt like I was seeing my life in print.
My DRC was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
"Nothing stands more between a book and you than the tyranny of living."
There were so many panels where I felt like I was seeing my life in print.
My DRC was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
May 2, 2019
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
These short comics show what us book lovers basically do on almost a daily basis and how we behave when we read. The drawing style is very cute and the jokes are quite funny. I would have loved to read more.
This would definitely make a perfect gift for every book lover out there.
These short comics show what us book lovers basically do on almost a daily basis and how we behave when we read. The drawing style is very cute and the jokes are quite funny. I would have loved to read more.
This would definitely make a perfect gift for every book lover out there.
December 23, 2019
More like 2.5 stars but I'm rounding up because, y'know, books. This is no Book Love but it does what it sets out to do, reveling in the delight of books and reading.
November 28, 2019
(3.5) This is a collected comic strip that originally appeared on Instagram between 2016 and 2018. The brainchild of bookstore/bar owners in Dallas, Texas, it highlights the kind of behaviors that many people might find strange but that make total sense to a bibliophile: buying multiple copies of a book so that your less-careful partner doesn’t ruin yours and you don’t lose a friend when they fail to return a borrowed copy; being so glued to a book that you take it everywhere with you; buying a coat with an eye to whether the pockets can accommodate a paperback; exulting at a broken leg for all the extra reading time a temporary handicap could buy you; reading with a headtorch after a bedmate has gone to sleep; and so on. The simple four-pane comics usually contain just one or two colors. The captions add as much as the dialogue. Read this next if you enjoyed Book Love by Debbie Tung.
December 31, 2022
i guess this is what you would expect from a volume of comics about being a bookworm. some moments of recognition, but nothing spectacular. i read it in spurts as a palate-cleanser during a readathon last weekend, and it served its purpose! and i really appreciate the diversity of the characters in the comics.
however, it has a bit of a holier-than-thou luddite flavor, with a dash of oh-my-god-nobody-reads-anymore anxiety.
also, while i agree with the authors' take on him, seeing tr*mp in cartoon form ruins my day!
however, it has a bit of a holier-than-thou luddite flavor, with a dash of oh-my-god-nobody-reads-anymore anxiety.
also, while i agree with the authors' take on him, seeing tr*mp in cartoon form ruins my day!
May 5, 2019
Funny little bookish cartoons! A simple one page cartoon format that bring humor with a touch of thinking. A bit more «complex» then what we often see in this type of book. Well done!!
May 7, 2019
How many of these vignettes must I incarnate to be considered an insane bibliomanic?
This book perfectly represented readers' worst and most ridiculous habits. From the day long readathons to the desperate awareness that there is only so much time to read in the lifetime to the smell of a newly bought paperback, it was all absolutely accurate. And also 100% hilarious.
The artwork is so pleasant and complements the different situations beautifully. I don't think a more perfect team could have planned and executed this book.
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This book perfectly represented readers' worst and most ridiculous habits. From the day long readathons to the desperate awareness that there is only so much time to read in the lifetime to the smell of a newly bought paperback, it was all absolutely accurate. And also 100% hilarious.
The artwork is so pleasant and complements the different situations beautifully. I don't think a more perfect team could have planned and executed this book.
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2021
That warm fuzzy feelings after every page I tapped. I can relate to all the characters in the strips; how can we book lovers be so alike?
Books and strips on books and reading are indeed intoxicating. Some more, please!
Books and strips on books and reading are indeed intoxicating. Some more, please!
May 30, 2022
Simpático, con mensajes con los que nos identificaremos los amantes de los libros pero muy comunes o poco sorprendentes.
May 16, 2022
Found it by accident an hour ago while browsing Scribd and voila, I ended up reading it. Cute arts, if you are a reader you could find at least a few that you could relate to.
February 5, 2020
This book was so much fun!
If you are suffering from bibliomania like me, you will surely associate yourself with funny quotes and lively cartoons. This book beautifully shows the facts only known to the special elite: The booklovers! I absolutely loved the quirks and bizarre habits of bookworms and I felt like I belonged to a clan, a private cult with strict and relentless rules. It comforted me to know that I am not alone in this! As the author states: “Reading Quirks is a work of nonfiction. You have in your hands an anthropological study of a strange and far-ranging human tribe, a tribe that gets from the reading of books the kind of happiness that other people derive from alligators.” Hilarious! A work of a genuine booklover. Loved it!
The only con is that it ended too fast.
(Received a copy from Edelweiss)
If you are suffering from bibliomania like me, you will surely associate yourself with funny quotes and lively cartoons. This book beautifully shows the facts only known to the special elite: The booklovers! I absolutely loved the quirks and bizarre habits of bookworms and I felt like I belonged to a clan, a private cult with strict and relentless rules. It comforted me to know that I am not alone in this! As the author states: “Reading Quirks is a work of nonfiction. You have in your hands an anthropological study of a strange and far-ranging human tribe, a tribe that gets from the reading of books the kind of happiness that other people derive from alligators.” Hilarious! A work of a genuine booklover. Loved it!
The only con is that it ended too fast.
(Received a copy from Edelweiss)
September 22, 2022
While this is an absolute delight about what it means to be a reader, it also serves as a morale boost for those fighting reading slumps.
It gave me ideas about where I can squeeze in time to read and how to maximize my reading. It's fast, it's fun, but in all honestly, I don't think a physical book was needed for this, an e-book would have been enough.
It gave me ideas about where I can squeeze in time to read and how to maximize my reading. It's fast, it's fun, but in all honestly, I don't think a physical book was needed for this, an e-book would have been enough.
April 7, 2020
This is a graphic novel compiled of the habits avid readers often have. It's pretty short, and fulfilling if you're looking for something not too 'heavy.'
Though, I didn't enjoy this book very much because I found the strips to be repetitive in the message they were conveying, sort of. All of the things in this novel we've already seen before since the dawn of time, as readers. People bothering you when you're reading, the smell of new books (which I personally don't get haha), being so immersed in a book you're unaware of what's happening around you. Yeah, all of those things are true, but for me, it just gets boring when you see it all the time.
The strips are very diverse in characters though! Throughout this graphic novel there are f/f & m/m couples, disabled characters, and POC. It's so refreshing to see diversity normalized in books like this.
Overall, I would say this book was a 'hit-or-miss' situation for me, and unfortunately it did the latter. (But I can't say I'm particularly dismayed, I jumped into this with no expectations.) That's not to say I won't recommend this book, though! I just was unimpressed.
I received an e-ARC from Deep Vellum Publishing via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Though, I didn't enjoy this book very much because I found the strips to be repetitive in the message they were conveying, sort of. All of the things in this novel we've already seen before since the dawn of time, as readers. People bothering you when you're reading, the smell of new books (which I personally don't get haha), being so immersed in a book you're unaware of what's happening around you. Yeah, all of those things are true, but for me, it just gets boring when you see it all the time.
The strips are very diverse in characters though! Throughout this graphic novel there are f/f & m/m couples, disabled characters, and POC. It's so refreshing to see diversity normalized in books like this.
Overall, I would say this book was a 'hit-or-miss' situation for me, and unfortunately it did the latter. (But I can't say I'm particularly dismayed, I jumped into this with no expectations.) That's not to say I won't recommend this book, though! I just was unimpressed.
I received an e-ARC from Deep Vellum Publishing via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
November 27, 2019
Devorat en menys d'una hora. Curtet. Quatre vinyetes per pàgina i es llegeix ràpid, però dona per pensar.
Ideal per a bibliomaníacs que han viscut i viuen enganxats als llibres.
Ideal per a bibliomaníacs que han viscut i viuen enganxats als llibres.
January 12, 2023
Reading Quirks is a collection of comics about what it is to be a book lover. I was able to identify with many of these situations and I smiled and laughed often. I think any book lover will see themselves at some point in this book. I loved the one about hugging your librarian, in this world of automation it really hit a chord with me. The art is wonderful and diverse. This is a book that would make a wonderful gift for any book lover and a great conversation starter as a coffee table book. I definitely recommend this cute book to all.
September 9, 2020
No es un libro para reírte a carcajadas, pero sí que cualquier amante de los libros se sentirá reflejado y esbozará más de una sonrisa. Aunque la mayoría de las viñetas se encuentran online, la diferencia radica en el hecho de que está en español y que incluye alguna que otra viñeta más.
Reseña completa: https://paseandoentrepaginas.blogspot...
Reseña completa: https://paseandoentrepaginas.blogspot...
October 26, 2021
Reading Quirks: Weird Things that Bookish Nerds Do!
I Picked Up This Book Because: It looked cute.
Media Type: Digital
Source: Scribd
Dates Read: 9/29/21 - 9/30/21
Stars: 3.5 Stars
The Story:
Cute but lost my attention a bit.
The Random Thoughts:
I Picked Up This Book Because: It looked cute.
Media Type: Digital
Source: Scribd
Dates Read: 9/29/21 - 9/30/21
Stars: 3.5 Stars
The Story:
Cute but lost my attention a bit.
The Random Thoughts:
December 16, 2021
Booklovers will find most of these scenarios relatable. The illustrations are cute. Not a memorable read, but it was fun while it lasted.
September 14, 2022
Suka buku I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf? Bacalah buku ni juga. Personally, antara keduanya, buku ni lebih memberi kepuasan.
June 19, 2019
¡Bue-ni-si-mo! De lo que ningún lector se atreve a comentar porque obvio, si eres lector lo sabes... pero aquí está ejemplificando de una forma que me hizo reír. Me identifiqué totalmente, y lo leí en una sola “sentada”, como solemos expresarnos los bibliómanos.
¿Y tú por qué lees?
¿Y tú por qué lees?
September 10, 2021
An ode to reading. Ah, there were so many quirks in this book I could easily relate to. Books have been a part of my life since I was five. And I know they will be a part of my life even if I am 85.
A fun, delightful voyage into something that only real book lovers can relate to.
A fun, delightful voyage into something that only real book lovers can relate to.
November 1, 2021
Dear Book Reader,
Are you part of this widespread tribe of those who like to read books, particularly this one? If so we congratulate you on achieving the most desired rank of being a bookish nerd and will lay out your whole life of habits in this little manual. Read it, smell it, absorb it, mangle it and make sure you mock your prior President for his lack of reading habits even though you don't know what he does in the privacy of his own home instead of those so-called celebrity readers who all have the same books on their list that have supposedly changed their lives.
Welcome to the readerhood where we tout how diverse we are yet remember to pick-up your free pass to mock non-readers and those who don't read like we do. And just to help you along your new path we will act you are dumb thus providing you captions so you know what the comic is suppose to be about instead of being able to pick-up the book, enjoy a light read and be able to translate it for yourselves.
We will have so much fun and can't wait to get your five-star reviews!
Are you part of this widespread tribe of those who like to read books, particularly this one? If so we congratulate you on achieving the most desired rank of being a bookish nerd and will lay out your whole life of habits in this little manual. Read it, smell it, absorb it, mangle it and make sure you mock your prior President for his lack of reading habits even though you don't know what he does in the privacy of his own home instead of those so-called celebrity readers who all have the same books on their list that have supposedly changed their lives.
Welcome to the readerhood where we tout how diverse we are yet remember to pick-up your free pass to mock non-readers and those who don't read like we do. And just to help you along your new path we will act you are dumb thus providing you captions so you know what the comic is suppose to be about instead of being able to pick-up the book, enjoy a light read and be able to translate it for yourselves.
We will have so much fun and can't wait to get your five-star reviews!
September 27, 2019
FINAL RATING: 4.5*
I keep thinking about it and a smile pops in my face. Highly relatable if you are a bookish person or know some. Maybe even scarly relatable. I laught at loud reading it.
Plot: 4.5*
Characters: 4*
Setting /Atmosphere: 5*
Art Style: 4*
Entertainment: 5*
AVERAGE RATING: 4.5*
Does it have adequate representation? The fact that they represent different people was notice, and apreciated.
Does it perpetuate healthy ideals?
Does it teach/make the reader (re)think? About all the (not so "normal") things we do for and with books.
FINAL RATING:4.5*
I keep thinking about it and a smile pops in my face. Highly relatable if you are a bookish person or know some. Maybe even scarly relatable. I laught at loud reading it.
Plot: 4.5*
Characters: 4*
Setting /Atmosphere: 5*
Art Style: 4*
Entertainment: 5*
AVERAGE RATING: 4.5*
Does it have adequate representation? The fact that they represent different people was notice, and apreciated.
Does it perpetuate healthy ideals?
Does it teach/make the reader (re)think? About all the (not so "normal") things we do for and with books.
FINAL RATING:4.5*
May 4, 2019
This was pretty cute. I'm an avid reader, so I related to a lot of the cartoons. Also, I really appreciated the library love! My favorite thing, though, was the effortless diversity. It all blended together to form a completely believable and representative world that felt natural and realistic. Books are the great unifier!
March 27, 2024
I really love this graphical novel. The idea really magnifying the things that every readers went through
December 23, 2021
Heartwarming comic strip about a quirky tribe devoted to that old-mechanic artifact, the book. In an unpretentious and simple manner, Laura Pacheco (El Pais) draws our place in a historic moment where books seem to have been displaced by the almighty touch-screen and disappointing film adaptations, all in name of blockbuster grandeur and our ADHD-ogenic culture.
>
I like the story behind Dallas' bookshop 'Wild Detectives' and the friendship of the owners, both engineers, traveling with their dream of a library bar, from Dublin to Texas. So it seems dishonest to give less than 3 stars to a transatlantic indie project. I have to admit that I was not sure about the cover, but after reading the fairly amusing prologue by Ben Fountain I was all in. We belong to 'a tribe that gets from the reading of books the kind of happiness that other people derive from wrestling alligators'. Dear reader, I know you could use a laugh now, please smile at your own life passing through the pages (and at Donald Trump's elusive encounters with books):
*
*
>I like the story behind Dallas' bookshop 'Wild Detectives' and the friendship of the owners, both engineers, traveling with their dream of a library bar, from Dublin to Texas. So it seems dishonest to give less than 3 stars to a transatlantic indie project. I have to admit that I was not sure about the cover, but after reading the fairly amusing prologue by Ben Fountain I was all in. We belong to 'a tribe that gets from the reading of books the kind of happiness that other people derive from wrestling alligators'. Dear reader, I know you could use a laugh now, please smile at your own life passing through the pages (and at Donald Trump's elusive encounters with books):
*
*
July 31, 2021
Overall cute assortment with diverse crew of characters. Got a bit political here and there which I find unwelcome in a collection devoted to book lovers, but that’s the way of the world these days. Nice insights throughout on why we readers do what we do.
Best part: Has a great (if impolite) script for what to say to someone who keeps talking to you when you’re trying to read:
“Ok. Time!
See this?
Rectangular. It opens. With pages.
If you see me behind one of these, I’m not here.
Even if you see me, I’m not really here.
I’m gone.
Ok?
And what’s the point of talking to somebody who isn’t here?!” 🤫🤫🤫📕📗📘🤓
Best part: Has a great (if impolite) script for what to say to someone who keeps talking to you when you’re trying to read:
“Ok. Time!
See this?
Rectangular. It opens. With pages.
If you see me behind one of these, I’m not here.
Even if you see me, I’m not really here.
I’m gone.
Ok?
And what’s the point of talking to somebody who isn’t here?!” 🤫🤫🤫📕📗📘🤓
August 16, 2019
No he podido evitar sonreír en casi todas las páginas de este libro y es que las viñetas representan totalmente a los lectores que estamos obsesionados con los libros.
Me encanta sentirme identificada con la mayoría de las historias ya que me hacen sentir que no soy la única loca que hace según que cosas con los libros (como leerlos cuando son nuevos o llevarlos protegidos para que no se estropeen las esquinas en el bolso).
Super recomendable, fácil de leer y divertido.
Me encanta sentirme identificada con la mayoría de las historias ya que me hacen sentir que no soy la única loca que hace según que cosas con los libros (como leerlos cuando son nuevos o llevarlos protegidos para que no se estropeen las esquinas en el bolso).
Super recomendable, fácil de leer y divertido.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews