11 Spontaneous Activities for Book Lovers

Sneak Peeks

You know how sometimes a book can inspire you to try something new? We’re ready to shake things after reading Spontaneous, a hilarious, witty, and – dare we say it – explosive debut novel about a high school where students start spontaneously exploding. It kept us LOLing, made us gasp in disbelief, and reminded us that life can change in an instant – so maybe we all need to be a little more spontaneous. Read on for eleven spontaneous activities perfect for book lovers!

Get inked!

You read it. You loved it. If you’re looking for something new to add to your wardrobe, look no further than your favorite “word-robe.” Good bad puns aside, check out these stunning literary tattoos and consider wearing what’s in your heart on your sleeve.

Apaixonada. #booktattoo #oldschooltattoo

A photo posted by Lilly (@lillychavess) on Oct 10, 2014 at 5:02pm PDT

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWyT_CxAPgC/?tagged=booktattoos

Adopt a pet and name it after your favorite character

Find an animal in need of a home and name it after your favorite character or author. Please meet Ricky Martin-Knupps III, our dearly departed friend named for Krystal Sutherland’s Our Chemical Hearts. Future pet considerations: a dire wolf named Special Agent Carla Rosetti, courtesy of Aaron Starmer’s Spontaneous.

Feel like you need to breakup with warm and fuzzy love stories? Prepare for #OurChemicalHearts, coming at you on 10/4 from @k_m_sutherland. #bookstagram #yalit #debut #thisisnotalovestory

A photo posted by penguinteen (@penguinteen) on May 5, 2016 at 2:38pm PDT

Book It

Take a hike, hit the road, and get out there! Go on a local adventure and explore a new place near home—extra points for discovering new reading spots.

Find a new reading mug

Chamomile, espresso, lemonade, hot chocolate, what’s your vice? Whatever it is, treat yourself to a new mug or glass that’s perfect for story-side sipping.

#bookmug #bookstagram #fincan

A photo posted by Elfecinler Bookmarks (@bookmarks_books) on Jul 7, 2016 at 10:39am PDT

#books #mug #bookworm #bookmug #booknerd

A photo posted by fuzi_a (@fuzi_a) on Nov 21, 2015 at 11:25am PST

Revamp your bookshelf

Fact: Book readers have the strongest finger and arm strength known to man thanks to our page turning and book shopping. Fact: That may or may not be true. But regardless, building or redesigning your own bookshelves is the perfect way to show off the goods. Grab some supplies and get your Instagram ready for some stunning #shelfgoals. Free pun: “A book fell on my head, I can only blame my shelf.” – Someone, Somewhere.

What are you reading for pride month? 💜💙💚💛❤️ #readproud #yalit #pridemonth #rainbow #bookstagram

A photo posted by penguinteen (@penguinteen) on Jun 9, 2016 at 2:53pm PDT

Give back

Remember the feeling of falling in love reading? Find a local bookstore, library or literacy foundation where you can share your love of books through volunteering and donating. There is no time like the present and no present like your time, book lovers.

Plot Your Course

Spontaneity comes with a certain measure of anticipation. Will you do it? Will it work? Who? What? When? How? If you like your spontaneity with a dose of predictability, plan a pseudo-spontaneous trip for the future. For example: promise yourself that you’ll visit a famous library in the next 60 days. Then, when the feeling is right, make it happen!

Get in character

There is a time and a place to play dress up beyond elementary school, and that time and place is right now. Invite your friends or your book club over for a costume party. Dress up like your favorite character, serve their favorite foods, make a playlist dedicated to their story, and revel in the glory that is book love!

Craft it up

A picture is worth a thousand words, but it’s hard to beat the actual words. Try a DIY project with word art on a canvas, your pillow covers, new coasters, old mugs, or anything and everything—just don’t do it to your new pet (see #2). Take a look at these ideas:

Looking for the perfect quote? Try this one from Spontaneous: “Only the knowing, the fearing, the loving that it could have all ended right then and there in gloriously messy fashion, but it didn’t, even if it nearly felt like it did.”

Read up on something new

Is there something you’ve always wanted to try? Is it something you feel like you’ll never actually start? Start by reading up on it. Then go tackle that yoga class! Sell ice cream from an ice cream truck! Start underwater basketweaving! Try something new…even if it’s just another book.