How’s this for an absolute? Book snobs suck.
Thanks to Liz for bringing this to my/our attention. SO irritating. How is it helpful/kind/reasonable/compassionate/anything other than judgmental to criticize people for their reading choices? And this extends to adults criticizing kids for reading graphic novels, comic books, manga–anything other than what someone else deems “worthy.”
I proudly read YA. I love it. I love the stories, love the energy, love the craft my fellow authors are showing. I’m tired of adult novels where everyone fools around or hates his or her life or wishes he’d made other choices–yeah, whatever. I have my own grown up life to attend to, buddy, and I prefer to keep on plugging away and working on getting it right. I’m not interested in whether this or that character wants to sleep with someone else’s spouse. Boring. And I’ve gotten to the stage in life where I prefer a good solid happy ending. Maybe that makes me shallow, but it’s not anyone’s place to look over my shoulder and tell me I should want something else for my reading pleasure.
Can you tell I’m a little bothered by this? It’s because it comes up here and there, and when someone others admire gets on his high horse, I’m not feeling so generous.
I read because it makes me happy, it fills my brain with new ideas, it uplifts me, it relaxes me, it entertains me. I get to decide–as do you–what would make you happiest to read. It’s NOBODY’S BUSINESS what your heart desires. People should walk their own path and leave everyone else to walk theirs.
/rant.
Technorati Tags: Books, Reading, Book Snobs
March 7th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I was so pleased by all of the thoughtful, intelligent responses, but not impressed by the original post. It could have been written in a way that got the point across that the more one reads all sorts of books, the more one discovers a deeper understanding of the world.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Oh! I didn’t mean Liz’s post. Liz, you know I didn’t mean your post, right? I meant Roger’s.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
I Know what you mean about books snobs. My sister says i shouldn’t read anime but it’s good. I mean i used to judge anime. I used to say that it was bad but you know i never really tried it. BUt now i absolutly(?) love this one series. I always tell my sis that she shouldn’t judge a book until she’s tried it.
March 8th, 2008 at 12:34 am
…this is why I like about you. You can rant like, immediately. It took me a couple of days to come up with what I wanted to say, even…
March 8th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Who is that guy, anyway?
March 8th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Right on, Space Lord!
As angry as comments like Roger’s have the potential to make me, I don’t let them. Because for me, his post about YA material is inconsequential. It will change my reading preferences not one iota, nor will it shame me into hiding my favorite books so no one knows I–gasp!–read mostly children’s literature, which has provided me with some of the most substantial and profound life lessons and continues to thrill me. So Roger who? Who cares? I love my YA fiction! And I even adore my kids’ picture books! Bravo to all you writers for children. Your stuff is magnificent.
March 8th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
OMG that is so dum! Get with the times buddy! XD Seriously, I think some of the best writing is YA! I think cause the stuff teens go through is so fresh for them, sinse they are experiencing stuff for the first time, so they can be more intence and interesting! And with most of the population of adults wishing they were younger isn’t it natural they’d want an outlet to go back to those times? and what does he care?! If he doesn’t want to read them then don’t! Enjoy your “boring” adult books and let uys enjoy our super awsome, fun, YA ones! Xp
March 9th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
YA books are basically all I read. I have occasionally ventured to the adult section, but not much. I recommend books to people, but don’t tell them what they should or shouldn’t read.
March 9th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I love YA. I’ve written many a post / piece about my love for YA books.
I care not a whit for those who put down other people or things for the sake of controversy.
March 10th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Thanks for all of your thoughts about this. Solidarity, YA and children’s book readers!! We’re as mature as we want to be! And nobody is the boss of us!
March 10th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Robin, that last comment would have been perfect if only it had been followed by nanny nanny boo boo.
I also love where he says he’s annoyed by people who only read children’s books being smug about their reading choices. Hello pot, meet kettle.