Winter weather leaves plenty of time for good books, personal reflection

Last week’s inclement weather presented me with an opportunity to lock myself in my apartment and do nothing but read books and neglect all my adult priorities. It was perfect. So perfect, in fact, that I managed to finish reading four novels, effectively setting a new PR. As I loved each of these books, it would be impossible for me to choose one to write a review of. It is like picking a favorite child—you’d never admit it out loud, but you definitely have one. Instead, I found myself musing over the cyclical repetition of emotions after finishing each book. Any bookworm can relate to the feelings that result after the last turn of the page, effectively leaving behind beloved characters in favor of new ones.

Similar to the five stages of grief, the five stages of finishing a book encompass many of the same emotions as the former with one caveat—repetition. Avid readers are likely to experience a never-ending cycle of emotion, due in part to the fact that it is not uncommon to finish reading one novel and immediately pick up another. In addressing these stages, I hope to bring you peace of mind when finishing your next book or novel. Who knows, maybe you’ll even learn to embrace your reading habits, as chaotic as they may be.

**Stage One: Elation**

Congratulations, you just finished a book. In this stage, you are completely and utterly impressed that you managed to see something through. It makes sense. As college students, it can be difficult to find time to read when juggling school, athletics and work at the same time. The fact that you took the time to read an entire book is no small feat. In this stage, you recommend the book to everyone that will hold a conversation with you—your roommate, the Link driver, literally anyone who will give you the time of day.

**Stage Two: Denial**

If you didn’t cry while reading the book, it is likely you are now. Sometime between picking it up for the first time and flipping to the last page, you became emotionally invested. It is all right; we’ve all been there. Nobody is going to judge you for walking around with smudged eye makeup or your pack of emotional support tissues. I promise you that it will get better. In this stage, you likely want to take a break before picking up the next book on your “to be read” list. You won’t, however. To do that is to waste precious time that could be spent reading.

**Stage Three: Apprehension**

This is the stage where you feel like you’re somehow cheating on the last book you finished. You’re flirting with the idea of starting a new one, yet you cannot shake the feeling that you’re doing something wrong. The thought of reading something new makes you apprehensive, nervous that you may somehow devalue what you just read in favor of the next best thing. This is normal. The loyalty that you feel toward the characters of the book does not go away because you start a new one. Place the book prominently on your shelf and prepare to move on.

**Stage Four: Excitement**

After accepting that you aren’t making any of the books you’ve read thus far jealous, the excitement you feel at the prospect of reading a new book is unmatched. Perhaps you already know what novel you’re picking up next, or maybe you’re planning your next visit to Barnes and Noble. Either way, you are excited. Chances are, your friends have to drag you out of the bookstore, reminding you that you need to pay for things like food and tuition before purchasing another book. Their attempts are futile, however, as you leave the store with books in hand.

**Stage Five: Obsession**

The last stage of finishing a book is starting a new one and subsequently becoming obsessed with it. You swear that you have never felt this way about a book before, even though we both know you said the same thing about the last book you read. You will talk to everyone and anyone about the book, even if they know nothing about it. They’re too polite to tell you to stop. Obsession is simultaneously the best and worst stage of finishing a book. On one hand, you are excited about what is to come. At the same time, you know that it will eventually lead to inevitable feelings of loss and withdrawal when you are forced to start the never-ending cycle over again.