Book snobs.
This is something I have never understood: why people have to turn something as simple as reading into something so negative and/or controversial. Why can’t we just read our books in peace without someone calling us names or commenting on ‘oh her nose is stuck in a book, again’? Or like what we like without people poking fun at it because it’s not something they would read?
Let me break it down a bit for you.
You know that second when you say “It’s about a vampire hunter” and before you can explain the greatness that it is inside the book in your hands, their face falls just a little, and this almost devious smile spreads across their face. You know what they are about to say. “Vampires? Wow. That’s um, interesting I suppose if you are into that kind of….thing”. And then! THEN they go on and on about how they read the ‘greats’ or the ‘classics’ and how anything else is just tactless and word vomit on paper. You feel about two inches tall and like you’ve just stepped into a pile of dog shit that you didn’t see on the sidewalk. Am I wrong?
These moments make me want to scream. Who decides which ones are the ‘greats’ and which ones aren’t? Or what genres are acceptable and which ones are tactless? I know I haven’t met anyone with documentation as proof that they have this job.
Most importantly, why do these people, clearly bookworms, hate on books anyway? Is it the media’s fault? Are these people just frustrated because the book of the month is being so hyped up by everyone, everywhere to the point that they want to vomit, that they turn into buttholes? Or is it that they weren’t allowed to read other genres because someone above them deemed them unworthy, and so they never experienced the beauty of a werewolf shifting in the moonlight? Or is it our fault, the excited reader, for going on and on about a book or a genre, about it being the best thing ever, and they are just hurt/frustrated that the books they love are being ignored or forgotten?
But, if it isn’t that form of snobbery, it’s the other side of the coin, the people who don’t read. The ones who think it’s funny that you read, that it’s some outrageous joke to taunt you for it. There’s nothing I can really say about this particular brand of book snob, other than they are morons and clearly feel threatened by us bookworms.
Then there are the ones who, how my niece so wonderfully put it, feel that “Why read a book, when I can just wait for the movie”. She literally feels that there is no point to reading a book, ever. If the book is good enough, there will always be a movie or TV show made about it. I love her to pieces, but I do not understand this at all. What breaks my heart even more is that she is not the only one like this!
Choosing not to read, to take the easier, quicker option, just seems wrong to me. I always try to convince these people (and her) that it is one of the best rides they will ever experience. That there is nothing like falling in love with a man living in the pages of a book or ‘witnessing’ a kick ass fight scene between a hero and his enemy. That no movie, ever made, shows you a character inside and out like a book can. And then, after I’ve lost my voice and my hands are sore from all the gesturing, I look over and they have that almost devious smile on their face and say “I still don’t want to read a book”.
AAAHHHHH!!!! This whole love/hate war of books drives me bonkers!
But it makes me think about something. Who are the real book snobs? Those who think that their chosen genre is the only genre worthy of reading? Or those who cannot stand to read and laugh and poke fun of the ‘book nerd’ for having his/her nose stuck in a book? Is it the ones who want the easy way out, and wait for the movie or TV show to be released? Or is it the rest of us, who love our books to the point that we cannot shut up about them?
What do you think?
I think the whole if it’s a good enough book it’ll be made into a movie or tv show thing is bullshit. I’ve read several great books that have not seen the screen and I’ve also read some not so great books that have.
To answer your question, I’m not really sure. I think readers and non-readers alike should be treated with respect. Don’t shun someone because of what they read or because they don’t read at all.
I’m also in agreement with the question of acceptable and tactless genres. This reminds me of a scene from Mona Lisa Smile where the art teacher asks what makes something art. A student answers because someone says so. The art teacher says, “It’s art!”, and the student says it has to be the right people. Who are the “right people”?
I think diminishing the importance of reading is somewhat abhorrent. These individuals see neither the intellectual nor entertainment value and should not feel superior. I am not speaking of those who feel as if they have no time but those who complain about avid readers and the inaccessibility of knowledge simultaneously. It certainly makes you want to tell them to pick up a book once in a while.
I do somewhat disagree on you when it comes to the classics. For me, true literature is in a class of its own and stands the test of time. I believe that these books are true beacons of learning, bringing insight and inspiring thought in ways that are unparalleled. That’s not to say that I don’t think there are some modern classics which can be held up to the same standard.
As much enjoyment as I get from reading popular genres, I know that they are for entertainment. Does this make me a snob? Maybe, but I believe that everyone should look outside their comfort zones and expand their horizons. The romance reader should pick up Lovecraft or Kafka as the classic reader enjoys Sookie Stackhouse.
Perhaps the more important question as you poised is why must we judge the tastes of others? Simply put, because we do in every other facet of our lives. For me, true evolution comes with an open mind. Whether its by picking up the latest beach read or diving into the odyssey.
Sing it sister!
I have a M.A. in Literature and I read what I want now. I’ve read all the canons of literature: British, American, European and some South American and Eastern. But I love romances and science fiction and mysteries. I make no secret of my reading tastes and have had what seems like hundreds of people deride me for reading so much. But it’s what I do. That’s what I read. If it’s not hurting you, what do you care?
Also, I’m now a school librarian and I get to help students find books to read. My evil influence encourages students to read anything they want. They do!