10 Steps of Fangirling

I'm a very all-or-nothing kind of girl. I sometimes do have my "meh" moments, times where I feel lukewarm, but those aren't fun. When it comes to books, I like it when I find a book that makes me feel something, whether that's white-hot rage or floundering love. Preferably, it makes me fangirl. I tend to fangirl a lot.

So what is it to fangirl?

Fangirl - to behave like a fangirl. (verb)

Well, that doesn't really help now, does it?

Fangirl - an obsessive female fan (noun) 

But usually, people say someone is "fangirling." People have their own ways of releasing their emotions, but here's what I find is best, starting from the very beginning.

Step 1: Find a book.

This seems obvious, but you have to pick the right kind of book. Weed out the undesirables, the ones that are incapable of drawing fangirls (different than a fandom). Series usually do the trick considering that they give you more time to connect with the characters and the author's writing. But standalones are also fine, like The Fault in Our Stars. You can even fangirl over Fangirl, which I think makes it fun fangirling over a story about a fangirl. 

Step 2: Keep the world updated in your progressive adoration.

Naturally, you need to work your way up to fangirl status. While you read, share your thoughts. That moment when the guy does something that makes your heart pitter-patter? Tweet it! Update your status on Goodreads! People will likely comment on it and it increases your chance of a greater fangirling experience later. 

Step 3: Devour it.

Two words: BOOK BINGE.

Step 4: Find someone.

Internet peeps are wonderful and great to fangirl with, but they come later. You need to find someone in real life so you can physically let your fangirling emotions out. 

Step 5: Flutter, jump up and down, fan yourself, clutch your heart, make weird facial expressions, but most importantly...squeal.

Squealing involves high-pitched volume usually along with other noises such as saying "ahhh!" and repeating "oh my" and not finishing your sentences.

Step 6: Go on Twitter and use those 140 characters to the max.

YOUR FEELINGS. Emoticons are encouraged.

Step 7: Now immediately push the book on a friend via text. 

You can't wait until you're in person. They need to feel your urgency. Share the love and it'll make you feel better.

Step 8: Make more noises as you pace.
Warnings: dogs may become confused.

Step 9: Nurse your book hangover.
After you finish a book that gives you a fangirl status, you'll most likely be in a book hangover afterwards. A new book cannot compete with your fangirling emotions. Don't even try to start a new book that same day unless it's a sequel.

Step 10: Repeat and keep pushing.
Yes, it's exhausting to become invested in a book, but isn't it fun? Go find another one! It'll probably take a while to find that ONE book or series that makes you want to use all the expressive GIFs in the world again. But while you start reading again, don't forget to keep recommending your latest beloved book. Someone mentions they need another book to read, PUSH.

Just as there are different ways to eat eggs, there are different ways to express your absolute adoration of a newly discovered book. But now you know what I'm doing when I say I'm fangirling and usually that's Step 5. 

An incomplete collection of books I've fangirled over LOTS:

 Note: If series, I only included the first book.

What are books that have turned you into a fangirl or fanboy?