Book Grief

Book Grief

As a reader, over time I have come to realize that there is a complex emotion an audience feels when a books series that you loved ends horrifically or a character that was really close to your heart dies. I have come to describe these feelings as Book Grief. There are 5 very distinct stages of book grief that I thought I might as well share on my blog. 

Shock

a numbing feeling seeps through the body, eventually freezing every part of you (mind included) 

Denial

Once your brain functions kick back in, you go into a state of panic and begin re-reading a passage or sentence multiple times because you are absolutely positive that what just happened did not really just happen. At all. In the slightest bit. Because it is simply not possible.

Sadness

For a moment your eyes might water or you may have to take a few deep breaths to steady yourself. Tears streaming down the face may be cause for complete distraught. This stage can last a bit longer than the aforementioned stages.

Anger

Suddenly you will feel a thick anger toward the author (for writing the stupid book), towards yourself (for reading the stupid book), and towards the world (for allowing you and the author to both coexist, therefore leading to your ultimate destruction). This can result in throwing of books or furrowing of the eyebrows. This stage can last for hours...days...weeks...months...

Disappointment

Whenever you think of this book later in life you may get a small dose of this feeling after all of your emotions have settled down. You might even find yourself saying, "Well the book was pretty good if you look past that one part..." or you may just sink into your chair and slither into a a puddle of disappointment all over the floor. Whichever works for you.

The end.

                            -Sarah Elisabeth          

  Enwhay ethay orldway opsstay inningspay... E'reway illstay eadingray.
               (When the world stops spinning... We're still reading)