Want to take a Quiz?
I was born into a generation for which there was a quiz for everything. Am I a good friend? What shade of lip gloss fits me? Which house would I be sorted into? Despite the blatant advertising of most of the quizes that were aimed at me in my youth, I still love to do a silly quiz.
So here is my silly quiz…
What kind of book owner are you?
Instructions:
Answer each question by selecting the letter that best describes you.
Tally your answers at the end to see which letter you chose the most.
Your result will reveal your book ownership personality type—and how to get the most from your books.
What do you do when you get a new book?
A. Add it to my catalog immediately
B. Snap a pic and admire the cover design
C. Toss it in my tote to read on the go
D. Set it down and forget where I put it
E. Flip it open and inspect how it was made
2. What’s your ideal reading spot?
A. In my home library
B. A well-lit space surrounded by art
C. Public transit or a café
D. Wherever the book happens to be
E. Where I make things
3. How do you mark your place in a book?
A. An archival bookmark
B. A polaroid or pressed flower
C. Whatever’s handy—bus ticket, napkin
D. Dog-ear it, no shame
E. Is that thread in the gutter of this page?
4. How do you shelve your books?
A. Dewey Decimal system or author-genre combo
B. By color, size, or visual harmony
C. I don’t—there’s a stack in every room
D. Not sure where they all are
E. Based on binding structure, material, or handmade quality
5. What would you do with a damaged book?
A. Hire a conservator/bookbinder
B. Turn it into a photo prop or up-cycled art
C. Tape it and keep reading
D. Nothing.
E. Study how it failed, then consider how to fix it.
6. Your favorite type of book?
A. Rare, antique, or first editions
B. Photo-heavy or design-forward books
C. Fast reads or practical guides
D. Free books or hand-me-downs
E. Books about making things
7. What do you do at a bookstore?
A. Check my list to see if I already have that book
B. Look for visually striking or collectible editions
C. Pick up a few that look interesting
D. Accidentally leave with 10… or nothing
E. Will this book actually last?
8. What’s your take on lending books?
A. Only if I write it down
B. I’ll lend them, but I keep a mental inventory
C. Sure, I’ll forget I owned it anyway
D. Lending is how I lost half my favorites
E. I’ll lend my paperbacks but not my nice books
9. You inherit a box of old books. What do you do?
A. Inventory and evaluate them for condition/value
B. Use them as decor or backdrop
C. Read them if they look interesting
D. Leave them in the box for later
E. Any I don’t want to read I take apart to see how they were made
10. What would you display on a coffee table?
A. A handmade or collectible volume
B. A curated stack with trendy titles
C. A fun paperback I’m halfway through
D. Whatever book I have around that makes me look good
E. A book I made myself
11. Where do you get most of your books?
A. Independent shops or rare book dealers
B. Instagram or small presses
C. Bookstores, airports, or anywhere
D. Friends, used bookstores, Little Free Libraries, or free tables
E. Artists you follow, handmade gift stores, or one of the Centers for the Book/Book arts
12. You drop a book in the bathtub. What’s your response?
A. Send it to a bookbinder
B. Post a moody pic of it
C. Let it dry and keep reading
D. Meh, it happens
E. Look up how to fix it myself
Results
Mostly A: The Archivist
You’re a steward of stories. Your collection is well-loved, cataloged, and cared for with precision. You value books as objects of legacy and knowledge. Tip: Learn about proper storage, archival repairs, and collecting practices.
Mostly B: The Visual Curator
You treasure books for their design, detail, and aesthetic appeal. Whether you're arranging your shelves by color or styling your reading nook, books are part of your visual world. Tip: Explore decorative bindings, artist books, and creative display solutions.
Mostly C: The Reader-on-the-Go
You love books for their content and accessibility. Your collection is casual, well-used, and constantly rotating. Tip: Learn simple book care and methods to safely store books while on the move.
Mostly D: The Accidental Librarian
Books tend to find you—and stick around, and you are totally okay with that. Your collection is chaotic but full of charm. Tip: Try sorting your shelves and exploring low-maintenance storage and repair tips.
Mostly E: The Budding Bookbinder
You care less about the story and more about the spine. You’re fascinated by how books are constructed, stitched, and held together. Tip: Take a beginner bookbinding workshop or explore book arts techniques at your local studio.