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? Here is my advice.
Reflect on It
Good books are very impactful, and generally hit us the hardest after they conclude and leave us stewing on our thoughts and feelings. It doesn’t matter if it is fiction or non-fiction, you should be left with some emotional change, 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 read something similar to it again. Reflecting on your time reading it, and its contents, may compel you to seek out similar titles, perhaps even by the same author, or expand your knowledge on whatever non-fiction subjects were being explored within its pages.
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—even a few hundred words or a couple of paragraphs is plenty.
Typically, you can write the review on the website you purchased the book on (e.g. Amazon), 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/yard/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/thrift 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. After all, it is your property. But sharing is caring, so there’s no harm in lending it to a friend, family member, or even a colleague, 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, or you may get a lend of one of their books as a mutual favour. Additionally, sharing your books with other people could be the crucial step to getting them interested in the authors and genres you favour, or perhaps help them get into the hobby of reading to begin with.
Annotate It
Whilst I would never do this, mainly because I think anyone who does is verging on psychotic, it is still an option. Just don’t do it if you have intentions of donating your book or selling it later down the line; most people won’t want your highlighted and scribbled-over copy.
However, I understand why some like annotating. 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.
Annotating or dissecting the book is basically akin to an extreme form of reflecting on it, which is something I already mentioned above.
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! You can also consider the slim chance of this being a financially viable side gig.
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