The Caffeinated BEA Takeover continues and today we are welcoming Anna from Adventures with a Book Nerd. Anna was inspired to write a letter to “Dear Future Boyfriends” and she talks about things books have taught her. Grab your favorite caffeinated beverage, check out Anna’s letter and share what you have learned from books.
So, I sat down at my computer ready to write a discussion post for Kimberly to post. I recently read To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and I guess that you could say that that it kind of inspired this. At the beginning of the letter, it was kind of awkward, but as I kept on writing, it became kind of therapeutic. It felt good to just vent about how I am a messed up person, and how I’ve learned from books. Also just about things that I want my future boyfriends to know. So, this isn’t a typical discussion post (I don’t even know what I would call this), but I want to know what you guys think. What do you want your future boyfriends to know? Or if you’re married, what you wished they knew. Feel free to write your own letters, and then you can see how therapeutic it really is.
Dear Future Boyfriends,
Hi! Even though I don’t know who you are yet, I believe that there are some things that you need to know first. First, why did you pick me? There are a ton of drop dead gorgeous girls out there, and you choses an anti-social, friendless, and kind of crazy book nerd. Still here? Great! If you really want to date me, then you have to be honest with yourself.
You are not perfect, and I don’t want you to be. I am positive that you have a lot of great qualities about you, but you will never be Ren or Daemon Black (and nowhere close to Tate Langdon, except please don’t hurt my mom). You will most likely not look as good as Ren, have the snarky attitude of Daemon, the artistic skills of Josh, or the quirkiness of Levi. The thing that you need to understand is that I wouldn’t go out with you if I didn’t like you. Don’t be intimidated by them, and don’t try to be them.
You will never be the only one, I will always have a book character that I will talk about. Whether it be Cal, Ignifex, or Rowan, there will always be another person (in my mind) that I will obsess about. Books are a giant part of my life, I take hundreds of hours of my life to read, and while you may not, I do. So don’t try to stop me while I’m ranting about how I think that Tris handled the situation badly, because it won’t end well. Don’t get jealous when I call my mom to talk about how I ship Rowan and Aelin, and not talk about you.
Don’t be mad when I want to read, I gave myself obligations, and I will stand by them. When I started my blog, I took on the responsibility to give honest reviews and content, about books. In order to do that I need to read, and it’s something that I love to do. So don’t get mad when I would rather stay home and read instead of go to a loud party with you, where there would be nobody there that I know, and you would most likely get drunk. Like I said, I’m anti-social, and you should feel honored that I let you get this close to me. I consider books to be some of my closest friends, and I will leave any day if you make me choose between my friends and you. I am an extreme introvert, and I need to be left alone at least for a while.
I have also learned a lot through books. When you read as many books as I do, you learn a lot. Both good and bad. I have read about protagonists who make stupid decisions, and I have read about smart protagonists, who are able to get out to tricky situations. But understand this, I am no Bella Swan. I am not going to stand by and let you fight my battles. But I am also not Tris, I am not fearless. I get scared, maybe not by horror movies, but by real things. I do however, have the heart of Aelin, and I can be dangerous. In other words, I am a ticking time bomb full of pent-up feelings, and if I do explode, I need someone to be there for me when I explode. I need someone to be the Levi to my Cath, the Ren to my Kelsey, the Daemon to my Katy, and my best friend. I’m not saying that you’re the one that I will forever love and marry, but you need to understand that I am me. And I am not going to let you change me. I will always be an anti-social, kind of crazy book nerd who is a few pounds heavy. So, if you don’t like that then you can just leave right now.
I spent years pretending to be someone that I’m not, and I’m done pretending. If you can’t take a little bit of crazy, lengthy rants about books, endless trips to the library, and me staying up all night because I want to read just one more chapter, then maybe we’re just not meant to be. Don’t try to understand me, because you can’t. I am a reasonable person, but you will never be able to take the book lover out of me. And hey, who said reading isn’t sexy?
Love,
Anna
The Books and Characters behind the letter
What do you want your future boyfriends to know?
Or if you’re married, what you wished they knew.
Thanks Anna! Anna owns the blog Adventures with a Book Nerd where she reviews and shares YA books. Occasionally she shares an adult novel or middle grade book that speaks to her. Anna loves her dog, is addicted to soda and YES, she is a Doctor Who fan. Her favorite TV character is Abby from NCIS and if you met Anna on the street there is no telling what color her hair would be. She participates in a few memes, and shares discussions with a feature called Babble with a Bookworm. Anna has been blogging since 2015. Be sure and stop by and say hello 🙂
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Anna writes Dear Future Boyfriends letter. Inspired by books. Caffeinated BEA Takeover Share on X
Christy LoveOfBooks
What a great letter! You should keep it and seriously give it to your future boyfriend once you start getting serious. 🙂
Anna
I should! I wonder what he would say. 🙂
Aj
Awesome letter. It reminds me of that Girls Who Read poem on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmEbF2uhsZk
Anna
I haven’t heard of the video before, so now I’m really excited to see it! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Angela Adams
Great post. Thanks for sharing!
Anna
Thanks for reading! 🙂
Deborah
Love this Anna! I’d print out a few copies… just to be prepared!
Anna
That’s a great idea Deborah! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Braine Talk Supe
*singing Meghan Trainor*
This is a fair letter, great job in setting expectations!
Anna
Meghan Trainer’s song is great for the post! How did I not think of it? Thanks for reading! 🙂
Sophia Rose
I enjoyed your letter and it made me remember back in college when I started seriously dating. I brought him home and walked him around my room not saying a word. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So is a wall to wall set of bookshelves jammed with books that spilled out on the floor and my night stand. Yes, there was a bag of my sports gear and yes there were several drawers full of faded t-shirts and jeans instead of fancy ‘wearing out on the town’ clothes. He got it. 😉 And he married me anyway. 🙂
Anna
That’s sweet! Thanks for sharing the story! 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things)
Love this post. You can write! This was so much fun to read!
Anna
Thank you! That means a lot to me. 🙂
Lekeisha
Oh man, I couldn’t tell you the things my letter would consist of. I’d probably scare away any potential future boyfriends. Although, I’m not looking because I have one who puts up with all of my baggage. Even after 14 years, and 2 failed proposals, he’s still here. I don’t take him for granted, he just knows me better than I know myself. Besides, he always wants to know what I’m reading and what’s it about. Can’t get better than that. Great post! BTW, he hates Bella Swan. LOL! He’s totally awesome!
Anna
Your boyfriend sounds amazing! I would love it if my future boyfriend was that interested in my hobbies. Thanks for reading! 🙂
kindlemom1
Ha this was great and I loved all the names and references! So much fun!
Anna
Thanks! I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
Lorna
I enjoyed your letter! I share your love of Daemon for sure. And recently read and loved Fangirl. I hope your future boyfriend is all you are dreaming he will be 🙂
Anna
I so glad that you liked Fangirl. Of all the Rainbow Rowell books that I have read, Fangirl is my favorite. I have Carry On sitting on my shelf, but I haven’t had the time to pick it up yet (it’s a big book!). Thanks for reading! 🙂
Tonyalee
Aw, this is awesome! I’m not sure how my letter would go because I have changed so much, but it sure would be fun to write!
Anna
My letter would probably be completely by next year. That’s the cool thing though! Were always changing. Thanks for reading! 🙂
Rosa
What an original way to talk about her favorite books. I loved it!
Anna
Thank you, Rosa! 🙂
Maggie
That’s a sweet letter — I hope your future boyfriend is a book lover like you are.
Anna
Thank you! 🙂
cindy
I love this!!! Wish I composed that letter in my head years ago:)
Anna
You still can! It’s really fun. 🙂
ailyn
i wished they knew that washing toilets is a huge turn on ~
Anna
And cleaning/reorganizing bookshelves. 🙂
ailyn
how i wish i can like your reply XD
Anna
🙂
Priscilla
What a sweet letter, Anna! And yes, reading is sexy 😉
Anna
Totally! Thanks for reading. 🙂
blodeuedd
Great letter 🙂
Anna
Thanks! 🙂