Simple logic dictates that the more you read a book, the closer you get to finishing it. So what should you do after you wrap up that last chapter, close the cover, and find yourself with a finished experience in your hands?
Reflect on It
Good books are very impactful. It doesn’t matter if it is fiction or non-fiction, you should be left feeling something, or stirring around newly-learned knowledge in your head. So, give the author some deserved respect and reflect on the book and what you learned from it.
Moreover, consider how you felt about that particular book, and if you’d like to seek out similar titles, perhaps even by the same author.
Write a Review
You may be left with such a strong reflection that you need to tell others about it. Writing a review is a very fun, satisfying, and easy thing to do.
You can write the review on the website you purchased the book through, or post one on Goodreads for other users to enjoy. Equally, you can make yourself a blog (just like I did with this site) and dedicate your time to expressing your opinions – positive or not – on your latest reads.
Sell It
Whether you want to pitch a listing up on eBay, trade it in through a second-hand app like Ziffit, or just sell it at a garage/car boot sale, you can.
Selling your finished books not only reduces clutter, it allows someone else to enjoy the same works you enjoyed for a fraction of the price. Plus, it nets you some return on your initial purchase, which you can put towards buying more books or whatever else you are interested in.
As long as you don’t mind permanently parting with it, then selling a recently read book is probably the most beneficial option for you.
Donate It
Take everything I just said and throw away the idea of profiting or gaining a return on your book. Still, donating is a very good thing to do if you really have no desire to hold onto your book.
If you give it to a library, you’ve just passed on something that many people from your local community can share and enjoy. If you donate it to a charity/thift shop, then you’re at least supporting a good cause and a small, local business. Additionally, you get the boost of being selfless, which is always nice.
Lend It
If you really want to keep a hold of your book, that’s fine. It is yours, after all. But sharing is caring, so there’s no harm in lending it to a friend or family member, who may end up enjoying it as much as you did.
If you’re lucky, you’ll have something in common to discuss with that person. It may be a crucial step to getting that other person interested in the authors and genres you favour.
Annotate It
Whilst I would never do this (and find people who do to be verging on psychotic), it’s still an option.
It can be fun to dissect, link, and discover new ways of reading the work you just finished. Upon re-reading and analysing everything, you may see a new side to some characters, or better understand a facet of the plot that was lost on your during the first read.
Write an Essay
If you really want to explore and analyse a novel, then you could consider writing an essay on it. You can explore a specific theme or character within the novel, and compare it to real-world events or a different story from another book or film.
It’s also a very beneficial thing to do if you want to bolster your writing portfolio and show off your analytical abilities!
Leave a Reply