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?