Thursday, May 19, 2016

DISCUSSION: Things Book Snobs Say

Gah, book snobs. Why is that even a thing? Surely, book lovers everywhere can unite and support each other over their mutual love of reading?
In a perfect world, that's what would happen. But alas, this is not a perfect world.

Here are just a few of the things I have heard book snobs say:

1. "I only read real books. They smell so much better." 
Look, I'll give you this: physical books smell great. But when I am reading, I don't spend the entire time smelling my book. I spent my time reading. I do like physical books too, but I hate it when someone uses the phrase "real books." The ONLY book that is not real is one that doesn't actually exist. And yes, ebooks exist. Get over it.

2. "I don't understand why adults read YA. Those books are for children."

This is probably the statement I hate the most. The only reason young adults books are classified as such is because of the age of the main character. The fact that a main character is a teenager doesn't mean the writing isn't beautiful or that the story isn't as deep as all of the other "serious" books you read.
3. "I don't buy books from Amazon. They are putting smaller bookstores out of business."

I like small Mom and Pop bookstores. I do. And I try to visit them when I can. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with shopping at a giant retailer like Amazon. And hello? Amazon is hella cheaper. Also, I live in Italy. The only small and independently owned bookstores near me sell books in Italian.
4. "I have never read Twilight/Gone Girl/50 Shades of Gray/insert name of overly hyped book here and I am glad that I haven't. I only read books that no one has ever heard about.

Good for you for not stooping to my level and reading books that others have read. I love discovering obscure books. But you are not cooler than me because I read books that everyone is talking about.
5. "I hated Twilight/Gone Girl/50 Shades of Gray/insert name of overly hyped book here. The writing was atrocious and people who liked those books are idiots."

Sigh. Do we really have to criticize readers who like books that we hated? I kind of hated the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy too, but do I think readers who liked it are stupid? Umm, no. People have different tastes. I don't like Pride and Prejudice, but there are tons of people who do. I certainly don't think badly of people who liked it . . . although, I did once get a very loud gasp from someone when I told them about my dislike for that book.
You would think I would have said that I hurt puppies or something.

6. "I only read books where you can learn something."

You can learn something from every book, whether it's fiction or nonfiction, fantasy or romance. You aren't smarter than me because you only read nonfiction.
I am probably snobby myself about one statement: "I don't read." 

Yeah, I don't get it. So if you make that statement to me, I will probably make a face that is reserved for people who hurt puppies.
But I promise that if you do read, I will never say one of these statements to you.

Have you heard any of these statements? What are some other things that book snobs say?

34 comments :

  1. I hate the whole "real" book/ ebook thing. I read both now but mostly ebooks and they are books too!! Also 4 & 5 bother me too. So what if a book is huge. I LOVED Gone Girl and then there was all the backlash and it was cooler to not read it or hate it. Oh well. I try not to be a book snow about anything but I am sure I have had my moments!! Great post!

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    1. Thanks Grace! I have heard people who are either proud to have never read Gone Girl or bash people who did. Come on people, get it together. I loved Gone Girl. I am sure I have had my snobbish moments in the past, but I do try my best. :)

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  2. Ugh! I have to admit that just reading some of these made my blood boil. LOL Those who turn their noses up at ebooks? Get over it already! They've been around for years, they're not going anywhere, and at the end of the day I read the exact same book you did. So how it it not a "real" book? People will say what they will about Amazon, but it's hard to argue with reasonably priced books and free shipping (if you're Prime or order the minimum). I can walk into B&N and pay $27.99 for a new hardcover release... or get it for $17 on Amazon. No-brainer! Oh, and the snobs who would *never* deign to read Twilight/Fifty Shades/etc? Get over yourself. Why be so damn judgey? Okay, I'm feeling all stabby now so I better go before I go into full-on rant mode. LOL Great post, Cynthia!

    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

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    1. Tanya, don't they just make you mad?? Why do people have to be snobs about something as wonderful as BOOKS? It's CRAZY! I totally agree about Amazon. I don't have the disposable income to buy physical books at bookstores (unless they are used maybe). I walked into a Barnes and Noble last year and I was amazed at how expensive everything was compared to Amazon. Sorry to make you feel all stabby. Go read a book. :)

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  3. Oh oh oh I have another one! The ones that say they only "read literature", like classics. So I guess it kind of goes with your #2 hahaha. But yeah, I really don't like it when other readers put down their own people. Everyone has different reading tastes!

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    1. OMG Valerie, YES! I had completely forgotten about that one! People who act like they are so much better than everyone because they ONLY read books by author who have been dead for hundreds of years. It's ridiculous.

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  4. Ugh, It really REALLY bothers me when people say that YA is for kids. Like, who even says??? And also sneering at people for liking certain books. But what takes the angry cake? THE HIPSTER READERS. Who just go and hate a book for being popular!! NO JOKE. I have legit had discussions (awful discussions) with people who will NOT read a book if it's popular and will critique it at length without having read it. ARGHHHH.
    Although I do understand that some people don't read. XD My dad doesn't read. I think he hasn't read since highschool? but it's just not his THING. And I know other people who don't read because they're dyslexic or they just don't find it enjoyable because they're not good at sitting still. *nods* So I think those are all FINE reasons not to read. But what is not fine? Is when non-readers make fun of readers. >_> I mean, whyyyyy. Reading is enjoyable and there should be no reason to put down people for doing something they love!!

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    1. Cait, yeah the people who will criticize a book they haven't read simply because it's popular are RIDICULOUS. If you are going to criticize a book, at least make sure that you have read it first. I do kind of understand that some people just don't like to read. It happens. But I do hate the people who claim to have no time to read and yet they will binge watch a show for three hours on Netflix. Yeah, you can make time if you want to.

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  5. LOOOOOOOOOOOVE this post and so freaking true. I have definitely heard at least everything on your list one time or another and I'm like you, the only thing I'm super snobby about is someone telling me they don't read or that they don't have time to read (when they've seen every tv show there is).

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    1. Thanks so much Eva! And YES about people who say they don't have time!! Those people usually spend hours on Facebook or hours watching everything available on Netflix, and yet they don't have time to read?? Please.

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  6. GAH I cannot STAND these! It's kind of like those people who think they're somehow superior humans because they don't own a TV? Yeah I cannot stand those people. I mean, I hated Fifty Shades SO MUCH. And I don't urge anyone to read them because I think they send a terrible message, but I certainly don't belittle someone who HAS read and liked them, goodness.

    Also, who ARE these people who can shop exclusively in small bookstores? That isn't even a "thing" here. I'd legit have to drive 2 hours to NYC or Philly to get to such a thing. And I don't see how Barnes & Noble is somehow better than Amazon? Grrrr.

    And seriously, they should probably stop smelling the book and just read it already ;) Love this post!!!

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    1. Shannon, oh I know exactly what you mean. Once upon a time, I dated a guy who didn't own a TV and acted so superior about it. Ugh, annoying. Needless to say, this guy did not become my husband. :) I feel the same way about 50 shades. I do not like those books AT ALL, but there are some people who criticize women who did like them. Really? Who cares? Do we really have to criticize the reader instead of the book?

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  7. I have recently heard an ex-colleague called YA shallow, all from reading just one book in the genre. It irked me so much - how can someone write off a whole, diverse genre based on ONE book? I kind of get being wary of overhyped books, but to refuse to read them just because they're popular is ridiculous. Great post!

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    1. Cilla, argh I HATE THAT! Yes, there are YA books I haven't liked as much because I can tell they are written for a younger audience. But seriously, there are so many amazing and thought provoking YA books. If they have only read one that is shallow, they need to read another one.

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  8. I was a book snob about the Twilight/50 Shades books until I realized that people who aren't typically readers were picking up books and rediscovering (or discovering) a love of reading. So I shut my snobby mouth and casually mentioned other books they should try.

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    1. That's great Kwizgiver! I admit there was a time when I probably would have done the same thing. But even though I am not a fan of Twilight or 50 shades, I think it's great that people are reading something. I may criticize the book, but I would never criticize the reader. It's the same with movies: we all just have different tastes.

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  9. This has brightened my day more than you know! Such a wonderful post that really points out so much ridiculousness that goes one in the book world. I love that you are able to get books via Amazon. Isn't it wonderful that we live in an age where we can obtain the things that we want and have them shipped to the door? <3

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    1. Thanks so much Candid Cover! I absolutely ADORE Amazon!! And my love has quadrupled ever since I got a Kindle. Now I don't even have to wait for shipping. I buy a book and BAM, I am reading it five minutes later! It's awesome.

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  10. Awesome post! I hate book snobbery so much!
    My particular pet hates are the 'YA is only got children' one, and the 'I only read books that no one has heard of' one. If someone just happens to read an obscure book because they came across it and loved it then I'm all for it, but people who only read books because they are obscure just seems super pretentious in my opinion! Just read what you enjoy, whether it's the latest big thing, or something hardly anyone has heard of!

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    1. Thanks Laura! I really, really hate the attitude that YA books are for kids. I read mostly YA at 36 years old and there are some YA books I love WAY MORE than adult ones. I hate the pretentious ones too. I have heard people say they REFUSE to read books that are popular and it drives me CRAZY. Yes, there are books that are way overhyped (in my opinion), but there are also books that deserve every single bit of hype that it gets.

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  11. Great topic, Cynthia! I feel like if people like to read than that's great! Why should be be restricted in what we enjoy or be shamed because you don't read a certain genre etc.? If that's your style or your genre that you go and read it! And I love ebooks, they're so convenient, and I love owning paper books too because it's nice to have. You can have both and it'll be okay!

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    1. Thanks Cyn! You are so right. I just think it's great when people read ANYTHING! Reading is awesome. We don't have to tear each other down because we have different tastes.

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  12. Those are all true statements I frequently hear. The one thing I hate most see people do is criticise others for liking a book. It's one thing to say ''I don't understand why this book is popular'' that's fine, but to say ''I don't understand why people read this book'' is too much. It's like you're saying everyone's an idiot for reading it.

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    1. Thanks Lola! You are so right. That's why when I post a negative review of a popular or well liked book, I try to make sure I am not criticizing anyone who actually likes it. Just because I dislike a book doesn't mean other people are idiots for liking it.

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  13. Poor, poor puppies. :-) I get especially twitchy about people who say they only like to read books no one else reads. Um, okay?

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. Hahahaha Nicole, yeah puppies really took a metaphorical beating in this post. Luckily, no actual puppies were harmed during the writing of this post. :)

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  14. i have heard every statement. I don't read. lol. I am so sorry that your life must suck because you don't know what a book is.

    The ya one... oh that drives me crazy crazy crazy.

    all rest yup I have head and I always roll my eyes so hard!

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    1. Jenn, bahahaha.I think what I hate even more than people who don't read are people who claim to have no time to read even though they spend hours on FB or watching TV. Come on, you have the time!

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  15. Yes yes yes yes yes yes YEEEES to everything in this post! I agree wholeheartedly! I've heard most these things myself and just...why, book snobs, why??? The thing that bugs me the most is people who say stuff like they only read serious books or they only read books they can learn something from. First of all, like you said, you can learn from every and all books. Second of all, READING SHOULD BE FUNNNNN! And the Amazon one! That bugs me so much because as a reader I love to support independent stores and everything but also as a reader I love saving money by buying books on Amazon! I'm sorry, but I get more books there! Let books snobs be high and mighty with their more expensive books and I'll drown in my cheaper ones. Haha. This post is amazing, also, extra points for the Friends fort gif. ;)

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    1. Thanks so much Shay! Gah, people who supposedly only read for knowledge. Come on! And I love reading books that involve very little thinking. Like you said, it's supposed to be fun! But I do end up learning something from most of the books I read. And yeah, Amazon is mega cheap. And since I have a Kindle, I don't even have to wait for shipping. Since I am an impatient person, that makes me very happy. I loved that Friends episode with the fort, so the gif makes me happy. :)

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  16. I get really pissed with people that bashed other people reading tastes or think they're better just because they read non-fiction. Everyone has different reading preferences! And tbh I just want to talk back to them "just because you read non fiction it doesn't actually makes you smarter than me" but that would be really rude so.... *sigh*

    Tasya // The Literary Huntress

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    1. Tasya, so true!! No one is better than anyone just because they like different genres or authors or whatever.

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  17. I use to get so much crap from my old job because I would read and not watch TV, and one of my old coworkers was just a bully about it, teasing me and rolling her eyes. Like, I don't make fun of your watching TV constantly, so why do it to me? WTF, lady? But the woman was spanwed straight from hell anyways.

    "I don't understand why adults read YA. Those books are for children."

    Those people are the same ones who are the black hole of fun. Nothing charming or entertaining can happen around them, or it just gets sucked down into their vortex of shittiness while they cling to their books that no one has ever heard of. Bravo, no one gives a flip.

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    1. Lyn, WOW. I can't even believe that! Making fun of you for reading instead of watching TV?? That is just insane. I could make fun of people (mainly the ones who have no idea how I read so much) for the stuff they choose to watch on TV, but I don't. To each their own, right?

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