There’s a curious phenomenon that many of us have noticed. That friend who always carries a book but somehow never cracks it open. It’s a peculiar habit, isn’t it?

According to psychology, there are specific traits that these perpetual book bearers share. The quirks that make them reach for that paperback but leave it untouched.

In this article, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of these book toting individuals, exploring the seven common traits they often display. And who knows? You might find that you’re one of them.

So, whether you’re an avid reader or a proud book carrier, let’s delve into this intriguing topic and see what it says about our personalities and behaviors. After all, even an unread book has a story to tell, right?

1) The eternal optimists

Optimism is a trait that’s often seen in individuals who constantly carry a book around, even if they seldom read it.

According to psychologists, optimism is a mental attitude that heavily influences physical and mental health. People who are optimists often believe that they can achieve their goals, even if the evidence suggests otherwise.

In the context of our book carriers, this optimism translates into the belief that they’ll find the time and motivation to read their books, even if past experiences might suggest otherwise.

As Dr. Martin Seligman, a renowned psychologist known for his work on learned optimism, stated, “Optimism is invaluable for the meaningful life.

With a firm belief in a positive future, you can throw yourself into the service of that which is larger than you are.”

So, our book bearers might not be getting through their reading list as quickly as they’d like, but their optimism keeps them hopeful. And who knows? Maybe one day they’ll surprise us all and turn that first page.

2) The aspirational self-image

This trait is one I can personally relate to. I’ve found myself carrying around a particularly challenging book for weeks, not because I was engrossed in it, but because it represented the kind of person I aspired to be – someone who reads complex, thought-provoking literature.

Psychologists often speak about the “ideal self” – the person we aspire to be. This concept was developed by Carl Rogers, an influential American psychologist, who explained that the ideal self is “the type of person that an individual would like to be.”

For many of us, being a bookworm is part of that ideal image. We want to be seen as intellectual, cultured, and thoughtful.

And carrying a book around helps us feel closer to that image, even if we never actually find the time or inclination to read it.

In Rogers’ own words, “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.” Even if our books remain unread, the desire to learn and grow is a step in the right direction towards our ideal selves.

3) The comfort seekers

Ever find yourself reaching for that unread book when you’re feeling stressed or anxious?

There’s a comforting familiarity in the weight of a book in our hands, the texture of its pages, the promise of escape it offers. Even if we don’t actually read it, just having it nearby can provide a sense of security and calm.

This need for comfort and security is deeply rooted in our psychology. As famed psychologist Abraham Maslow pointed out in his Hierarchy of Needs, after our basic physiological and safety needs, we seek love and belonging.

Maslow once said, “In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.” For those who always carry a book but never read it, the book may represent that “step back into safety”, a familiar anchor in an unpredictable world.

It’s raw, it’s honest, but there’s no judgment here. We all have our own unique ways of finding comfort and security in our lives. For some, it just happens to be an unread book.

4) The procrastinators

Procrastination is a common trait among our book carriers. The book is right there, within reach, but they keep putting off reading it for one reason or another.

Interestingly, a study conducted by psychologist Piers Steel at the University of Calgary found that up to 95% of people admit to procrastinating at some point.

In the context of carrying around an unread book, this procrastination can be seen as a form of ‘productive’ delay. The book is a reminder of the task to be done (in this case, read), but it’s constantly deferred in favor of other immediate tasks.

Steel’s research shows that procrastination is linked to impulsivity and the struggle to resist immediate rewards in favor of long-term goals.

In this case, the immediate reward might be scrolling through social media or watching a movie, while the long-term goal is finishing that book.

The book carriers among us might be master procrastinators, but they’re in good company.

After all, who among us hasn’t put off a task for later? It’s human nature, and sometimes, that unread book is just another testament to our shared tendency to procrastinate.

5) The conversation starters

It’s funny, I’ve often noticed that carrying a book can be a great way to start a conversation. Whether it’s on a train, at a café or in a waiting room, that unread book can act as a social tool, sparking curiosity and breaking the ice.

Social psychologist Robert Cialdini identified this as the principle of “liking” – we tend to like people who share our interests. In this case, the shared interest is books.

Even if we never actually read them, just carrying them around can make us seem more interesting and relatable to others.

As Cialdini famously said, “People prefer to say ‘yes’ to individuals they know and like.” Our unread books not only reflect our personalities and interests but also serve as an unspoken invitation for others to connect with us.

So, if you’re one of those people who always carries a book but never reads it, maybe it’s not just about the book. It could be about the connections you’re making and the conversations you’re starting. And that’s something worth carrying around.

6) The non-conformists

Counterintuitive, isn’t it? You’d think people who always have a book with them would conform to the image of an avid reader.

But that’s not always the case. Sometimes, carrying a book is a form of non-conformity, a subtle way of standing out from the digital crowd.

In our technology-driven world, where most people are glued to their screens, having a physical book can be a statement. It’s a way to say, “I value the traditional, the tangible, the quiet contemplation that comes with reading.”

Renowned psychologist Carl Jung once said, “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”

For some, carrying an unread book is a symbol of their individuality and non-conformity. It’s their way of asserting who they are in a world increasingly dominated by digital media.

Even if they don’t read that book, its presence serves as a reminder of their uniqueness and their refusal to conform entirely to digital norms.

It’s an unexpected twist in the tale of our book carriers, but it’s one that speaks volumes about their individuality.

7) The dreamers

Finally, those who carry a book but never read it are often dreamers. The book represents a world of possibilities, an untapped reservoir of ideas and stories.

Famed psychologist Albert Bandura said, “In order to succeed, people need a sense of self-efficacy, to struggle together with resilience to meet the inevitable obstacles and inequities of life.”

Carrying an unread book might just be a symbol of that struggle and resilience, a testament to the dreamer’s spirit, their belief in the things they can achieve and the worlds they can explore. Even if it’s just one page at a time.

Reflecting on the unread

As we navigate the beautifully complex labyrinth of human behavior, we uncover intriguing patterns and traits.

Our constant companions, the unread books, might seem like an odd quirk on the surface. But as we delve deeper, they reveal fascinating insights about us.

These unread books might remain closed, the words on their pages unexplored.

Yet, they silently tell a story about us – our optimism, aspirations, need for comfort, our procrastination habits, our desire for connection, our individuality, and our dreams.

Each unread book is a symbol of who we are or who we aspire to be. It’s a silent testament to our complexities and contradictions.

So next time you see someone carrying an unread book or if you’re that person yourself, remember there’s more to it than meets the eye.

It’s not just about reading; it’s about reflecting, connecting, dreaming – the very essence of being human.

And in that light, isn’t there something profoundly beautiful about carrying around an unread book?