Confession time! But first, I feel like this post should come with a disclaimer, so if there’s even the remotest possibility that your boss might see your answer if you leave a comment, and you could jeopardize your job as a result, ZIP IT. Ok, now that that’s done with I’d like to clarify that this question isn’t just aimed as those of you who are gainfully employed, school counts too, as does bailing on driving your kids to swimming / guitar / karate / etc lessons, and telling your BFF that you’re too sick to go out on a double-date with her because you already have a fictional one planned with your current book boyfriend.
My most recent example happened in March 2013 when J.R. Ward’s LOVER AT LAST was released. Wow! That’s nearly two full years ago, someone’s been behaving themselves. Hehe! To my utter dismay I had to go to work on the Tuesday because of a meeting, but playing hooky on Wednesday was a foregone conclusion because I’d waited sooooo long for Qhuinn & Blay’s happily-ever-after that one more minute might very well have been the death of me. So, I called in sick, brewed a pot of coffee, and read, and read, and read until I collapsed into fan-girl bliss. Or at least, that’s how I like to pretend that it went down when in reality the 11th BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD installment wasn’t the 5 star experience that I’d anticipated.
I almost did it a second time exactly one year later when THE KING hit shelves. I woke up at 2:30 AM, waited until 3:00 AM when the novel was actually available to download on my Kindle (Amazon runs on PT—lesson learned), dove in, and promptly fell asleep a mere two hours later because, well anyone who’s read it knows why. LOL! I clocked in at my usual time that morning, and finished the book a week later.
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Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
Lol, Carmel, you have me laughing my head off! My sins all take place at night. If the book I’m reading is good, I can’t stop. Twice I read all through the night and got off the bed at 6.30 to make breakfast for the family and start the day. Needless to say, it is quite tough to get through a day after you’ve spent the whole night reading… But there are books that are *so* worth it! Have a good one <3
Ramona recently posted…Indie Ebooks
In junior high and high school, my mom would call me out sick one or two Fridays a month so that I could binge read. The school did catch on, but they could never prove any wrongdoing. So long as I kept my “A” grade average, and my attendance up the rest of the time, there wasn’t much they could do. I loved those 3 day weekends. And YES, my mom is AWESOME. 🙂
E.J. Stevens recently posted…Book Giveaway: Unbreakable by W.C. Bauers
I can honestly say I don’t think I have ever played hooky cause a book I wanted to read was coming out..but that is a good reason. 😉
Stormi recently posted…Audioreview of My Lady, My Lord
Short answers is no. I always have been a person who followed the rules a bit of a goody two shoes and I wouldn’t and couldn’t skip school or work to read. My mom was very strict when it came to school and I have went to school sick a few times as I wasn’t sick enough, only a fever or vomitting counted as sick enough. And those are both difficult to fake. I have stayed up late a few times and I have done a little les shomework then I could, but I have an absurd amount of discipline and usually finished my homework first. And nowadays I am too much of a workaholic to skip my work to read, although I might slip one more chapter in during lunch break if I take one. I gues that comes with having your own company.
Lola recently posted…Lola’s Ramblings: How do you Rate books?
LOL, I love this post so much, Carmel! I enjoyed reading it immensely while drinking my aftrenoon coffee 🙂
Aynway, I have never missed work because of books. Calling in sick would mean shortening my vacation days. But I used to play hooky all the time when I was studying at uni. The most memorable time was when I got hooked on Discovery of Witches by Diana Gabaldon in 2012, I could not concentrate on studying and had to postpone my exam for later date. It was more than worth it 😉
Lucia recently posted…BLURB LOVE #1
I haven’t yet but..I have been tempted LOL!
I stay up way too late sometimes reading, especially in the summer when I don’t have to be up at a certain time.
While I haven’t ever called in to work because of a book, I have canceled plans because I wanted to stay in and read instead. o-O
kindlemom1 recently posted…Guest Post and Giveaway: Dead Wish by Megan Tayte
Sadly, no. I can’t play hooky until all my work is done for the day. I’m weird that way. LOL. What I would really like to do would be to play hooky for a month and really dig into my TBR pile.
I don’t blame you for playing hooky for BDB…we waited so long for that book! I’ve been very tempted but have never done it! I have however sneaked in a few chapters at work here and there…LOL When it comes to work I try to save my days off for vacation or when I’m sick, but it would be great to call in sick one day just to stay home and read…especially on a day like today when it’s snowing! Great post 😉
Lori recently posted…Blog Tour: The Strange Death of Fiona Griffiths by Harry Bingham {Guest Post}
I’ve totally abandoned my children to read on many occasions. Oh, and since I homeschool them, it only takes me feeling the slightest bit ugh to tell them that they can just work independently while I go and relax for a little while – with a book! 🙂
Nicole recently posted…February Wrap-Up and Best of the Bunch
I’ve never called in sick at work to read, but I have gone to work in very little sleep for staying up reading a newly released book AND I’ve bailed on plans with my friends for staying home and reading a book!
Pili recently posted…Nerd Blast: Liars INC by Paula Stokes!!!
I have gone to work with no sleep at all before, but I’ve never taking the day off or called in sick to read a book, and it could have a lot do with the fact that if don’t work I don’t get paid…LOL
One thing you can bet tho. it’s that I’ll be hooked to my phone every brake I get, and there’s no talking to anyone that day..LOL
Lupdilup (Loupe Duffy) recently posted…Vision in Silver Audiobook by Anne Bishop (review + giveaway)
Well I have never called in sick to work. However, I do have weekly Italian lessons. I may have canceled one or two this year because I wanted to read . . . and one time was actually because I was recovering from a book hangover. Ha
Cynthia recently posted…BOOK REVIEW: The Lottery And Other Stories by Shirley Jackson
The last time I played hooky (though really there’s some question as to whether or not I can actually play hooky when I work from home) was for KMM’s Shadowfever. After the end of Dreamfever there was NO way I was waiting another minute to see what became of Barrons!!! Barrrrrrroooooonnnnnssss:)
And as much as I love Blay and Qhuin, I was a bit disappointed in their book as well. I didn’t feel the romance between them at all – all they did was have angry sex! Give me a few sweet scenes at least. And don’t forget the lube JR Ward….ouch 😉
Dammit. Forget to fill in my name again. Fail. That would be my comment above:)
I’ve never played hooky but I’ve sneak read a book at work before. My last job (will almost no firewalls) I would read books on my computer all the time. I downloaded the Nook app for desktop and would read books that way or if I had PDFs for review. Of course this was before I really go into audiobooks. LOL
Jennifer recently posted…Oh Knox! Unraveled by Lorelei James
Can’t say that I’ve ever played hooky to read, but I have read through the night and went in without much sleep. I do however, neglect chores or errands frequently to read so I guess that counts.
Sophia Rose recently posted…The Season Between: A Cape Cod Summer Romance by Anna Thorne #Review
Lols…I do this at work all the time. I just recently listened to a whole audiobook…made the day go by faster, lols. Ah, my friends family know how I am when it comes to reading so they dont bother me too much but I have on occasion skipped events to finish a book 😉
sharonda recently posted…#Audiobok #Review: Birth Control (La Patron #2) by Sydney Addae ~ #VideoReview
Yeah I’m not holding my breath for the next BDB book… I played hooky when ICED came out. Good thing it was worth it! I loved that one despite many grumbles about the age difference and “abuse”, etc. It was provocative and pushed the envelop. I love the controversy and Dani was such a ball buster. Worth. it!
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…A Shot of YA: Little Peach by Peggy Kern
So many times I’ve gone to work bleary-eyed from staying up too late reading, but I’ve never played hooky. Have thought about it many times, but I’m a terrible liar. 🙂
CJ Burright recently posted…A Few Mini Reviews
I’ve never called in sick or anything, but I’ve read on lunch breaks that turned into extended lunch breaks…
Julie recently posted…#Shelflove: Share Your Sources for Free Books
I’m a Desperate Housewife so I don’t have a problem about not going to work… But I have played hooky with my friends… I hope they are not reading this… Couple of times… we were supposed to meet, but the book I was reading at the time was so good I called to cancel saying I wasn’t feeling well or something like it… I know… I feel bad doing that… but… awesome books!!
BookaholicCat recently posted…CATS-ilicious Thursdays
No I have never played hooky to read, I guess I never thought of it before. I always feel way too guilty when I call in sick when I am not sick. That doesnt’ mean though that I haven’t neglected other things to read.
Heidi recently posted…Guest Post, Review & Giveaway: Daisies in the Canyon by Carolyn Brown
This is a nope for me. I might have been late getting back from lunch (school or work) but never skipped the whole day.
Kristina D recently posted…Some Thursday Randomness
I listen to audiobooks at work all the time. I’ve taken days off from work for release day before, but it wasn’t calling in sick, I took a vacation day. I wish I was playing hooky right now. Two different projects at work that are both running long and be a complete PITA.
Melanie recently posted…Review: The Storyspinner by Becky Wallace
I don’t remember playing hooky ever just to read, but that’s kind of awesome. Plus, with certain full time jobs, you can take personal days and you don’t really have to say you’re sick or whatever if you’re not.
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Flunked: Fairy Tale Reform School by Jen Calonita
I talk a really good game about calling-out to read but I never do. It’s the catholic guilt I was raised with… *snickers* Although, I’ve been tempted many times. 😉
Cristina recently posted…Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer
Once I became so engrossed in a book I completely lost track of time, and as a result it was too late to make dinner for my family. I called my husband and told him I was feeling out of sorts that night so I didn’t want to cook, and to ask him to pick up some take out. Does that count? 😛
Mogsy recently posted…Tough Traveling – Vampires
No, BUT I was really glad I was home with an eye infection when I got a certain Brandon Sanderson book. I could barely see, but hey my other eye was fine and not all pink
blodeuedd recently posted…Knight’s Shadow – Sebastien de Castell
No, I’ve never done that before.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…New Laptops and Security Certificate Errors
I’m completely guilty here but i’m not all that bad either. I haven’t skipped work yet to read and I haven’t turned down a shift to read either (although i’m always tempted) but I have missed some of my earlier classes to finish books and gone in midday. Let’s just say i’m notorious for my ‘morning headaches’
Lily recently posted…Red Queen (Red Queen#1):Review
Luckily, I haven’t had to but if I did it would have been for Lover at Last. Nothing was going to stop me from reading that immediately!!
I did start Mockingjay right a midnight and pulled an all nighter but again – I wasn’t missing work or anything because of it.
Uhm yeah. I remember a couple of times coinciding with BDB’s releases. More recently was when Silver in Vision came out. But, I’m trying not to do too often though. Lol.
Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…[501]: On the Edge by Ilona Andrews
Haha! I wish 😉 I had planned to take the day off to read Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning but it ended up falling on my day off thank goodness but there hasn’t really been anything else that I would take the day off for.
Sharon – Obsession with Books
Sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…Review: The Queen of Zombie Hearts (White Rabbit Chronicles #3) by Gena Showalter
100% yes! Which is why, when I was in school, I didn’t read. Because I never would have gotten any work done.
Hmm .. I can’t recall ever ditching something to read. Unless ditching sleep counts. I just take the book/kindle/phone with me. I don’t always get to read, but I at least have it when an opportunity to read arises.
Christy recently posted…Becoming Rain by K.A. Tucker
I haven’t played hooky due to reading a book in years. I think the last time was for the Chronicles of the Warlands Series by Elizabeth Vaughn. I ended up staying up all night reading and at 7am when I was supposed to be getting ready for work, called off sick and finished the last part of the book I was on. But again that was years ago… Now I just schedule time off better. 😉
Judy recently posted…@TastyBookTours Interview & Review: Hot Texas Days Box Set by Jessie Evans
LOL that’s a good question but I confess that I didn’t. I’m always trying to go to work or before to school so no but that’s an idea even if I think I won’t do that. But mybe it’s different because I’m doing a Ph.D. so it would be complicated to miss a day but last week I was really sick and I did read all day long, it was so nice!!!
I often skipped lectures at University to read. My most memorable time was when the last Harry Potter book came out. I began reading it at around 6 that evening, I read throughout the night, went to bed at 5 a.m. Woke up five hours later, by which time I had skipped two lectures. Continued reading, thus skipping another 2 lectures. I finished at around 8 that night. I then went to bed and was way too tired to go to any lectures the next day! 😀
I have been so tempted to do this, so many times!! But, I haven’t quite been able to bring myself to. Unless I have a slight cough, or maybe I don’t feel *quite* well, and maybe I might have to take a sick day to rest up (and if I happen to get to read, well … I am sure that is just a coincidence, right??) 😉
Lisa recently posted…Confessions of a Moody Reader
I guess I’ve done that a couple of times, indirectly. My boss at my last job knew I had insomnia and would sometimes call out because of it, so I may or may not have called out after staying up all night to finish a book! I’ve never called out to read, but love the idea!
Terri recently posted…Captive book review
Nope, I have read deep into the night often, but the next day I am just a zombie at the office. I have taken the day of though to read, or just the afternoon.
Um, I’m quite certain that I’ve neglected things, like getting dinner ready or getting the laundry done. Does that count? I’ve not missed on getting my kiddos places but things around the house definitely are forgotten when I’m lost in a good book. And it happened this week while I was reading The Gamble by Kristen Ashley! 🙂
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…My TBR List ~ March ~ What Should I Read Next?
Heheh naughty naughty! I haven’t called in sick to read before, but I may have told friends or family that I was busy when they wanted to make plans. Great topic!
Jeann recently posted…Chatterbox: How do you cope with a slow book? [POLL]
I haven’t actually played hooky for a book, but I’ve stayed home from work in the past becuase I needed to get away from the place, and I usually just read all day instead. 🙂
Kelsey recently posted…The Sunday Post #3
I’ve only been an hourly paid worker in my lifetime and I just can’t seem to sacrifice money for 8 hours of reading. I will, however, entertain the idea once I get salary :p
Personal days indeed.
When I was in high school (maybe grade 12?), the release of The Reckoning by Kelley Armstrong was on a Tuesday. I went to school as usual but I was too keyed up to pay attention – I skipped out at lunch, took the bus to Chapters, then read the whole book before my work shift at 5:00. Haven’t done it since, but honestly it was really fun! 😀
Danya recently posted…Review: Vision in Silver by Anne Bishop
Okay, I must admit: I’m guilty of this one. 😉 It wasn’t for the sole purpose of reading, though – I just remember one day (last year, I think? Or perhaps the year before…) I skipped school because I needed a mental health day, so to speak, and I spent the entirety of it rereading FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell, one of my favourite books. Definitely a good way to recharge + recuperate. 😀
Topaz recently posted…“Midnight Letters” Published in Glass Kite Anthology!