Everyone knows someone who can be completely absorbed in a good book; they can talk about it endlessly and does nothing more than wandering around for hours in the bookstore or library. Or maybe you yourself are a book devourer who sometimes thinks during a night out: I’d really rather sit on my couch with my book. Nice, such a literary passion, but sometimes it requires a subtle approach from the environment. As a partner, sister, brother, mother or girlfriend, how do you deal with such a bookworm? We list a few essential tips (for learning and entertainment!)

1. The book is always better
Did you think it was a good move to take a bookworm to the film version of his or her favourite book? Ai, that can turn out wrong. The story has already played live in the head of the bookworm from the beginning to the end, and then such a film can be disappointing. In addition, characters and descriptions in books almost always have more depth than in a movie. Of course, there are always exceptions that confirm the rule, but it is a risk.

2. 1 + 1 = 3
Make your chest wet if your bookworm gets into a conversation with another bookworm: there is a good chance that there will be an endless exchange of favourite titles and authors. The enthusiasm increases with every new favourite, and there is a lot of pressure on the copies that one of the two conversation partners does not yet know. For those who can handle it, this is the perfect opportunity to find inspiration for a good gift: more about that at the next point.

3. Always an inspiration for the perfect gift
Buying gifts for bookworms is the easiest thing there is. A gift voucher from a large (online or offline) chain always works well but is somewhat easy. It is even better to pay attention for a while to what the bookworm in question is talking about. There is a good chance that the same recently published book will appear several times in those conversations: you know what to do! Or even more original: take him or her on a day trip to one of the special bookstores that the Netherlands is fortunately still rich in. Not only reading itself but also strolling between the shelves is very satisfying for a real bookworm.

4. Never too many books
Never tell a bookworm that he or she has too many books. Having too many books does not exist. Bookworms like to surround themselves with as many books as possible, simply because it gives a good feeling. They think back to the devoured specimens with nostalgia; the unread specimens provide a good dose of anticipation.

5. The scent of a good book
A real bookworm is crazy about the smell of books. So don’t be shocked if you see him or her with eyes closed and a blissful smile inhaling deeply with the nose in a book. Weird? Well, maybe a little, but what do you do about it?