Don't should yourself AKA #showusyourbooks

Maybe it’s a rebel streak or a general “abominable sort of conceited independence” (anyone?), but I don’t like “shoulds”.  You should do this, you should do that.  The minute I hear a should, I start to kick at the fences.  The only thing I believe I should do is what works for me and what is good for those around me.  But generic “shoulds” have never been my thing. 

I find this especially true when it comes to January and the “shoulds” start oozing out of everywhere.  You should set a reading goal.  You should track your reading.  You should journal about your reading.  You should read this book, not that book.  But I am the kind of person that gets distracted just writing a to-do list.  The idea of a bullet journal sends me into a sweaty terror.  I just want to read what I want to read when I want to read it.  And I bet you do, too.  Sometimes I want to be challenged.  Sometimes I want to cry.  Sometimes I want a happy ending.  Sometimes I want to be inspired.  Sometimes I want a little smut.  And I bet you do, too.  

Page 1 believes you should read what you want.  As your BBF (yes, we just invented that…bookish best friend!), we support your shelf.  (I’m on a roll!)  You are unique and wonderful and whatever you want to read is the right thing for you to read.  Whatever you want to track or journal, you track or journal.  You do you, girl.  That’s why we love reading your profiles.  We love the passion we see when you write about books you love, books you hate, books you wish existed.  We love it when you say it loud and say it proud…THIS IS WHAT I LOVE TO READ!  And when you post that we “hit the nail on the head” with our choice for you, that is what we live for.  You are all we think about when we walk around the shop, peruse the stacks, and pull that gem off the shelf for your Page 1 box.

So stand-up, BBF!  Be shelf-proud.  #showusyourbooks 

We will show you ours if you show us yours.  In fact, if you still need a little nudge, we are giving away a 12-month (yes, that’s right, one year) subscription to Page 1 to get you to #showusyourbooks.  Follow us on social media, post your favorite #shelfporn #shelfie with #showusyourbooks and #mypage1, tag three friends, and you will be entered to win.  More info at the social media lifeline of your choice. 

We see you.