Let Them Read

Thanks to my 2021 goal of reading at least two books a month, for the first time in a few years I’m back to reading on a regular basis and it’s done a lot for improving my general daily joy!

But while I’ve been in the process of going through my bookshelves to decide what I want to read, what I’ll never read, and what I hated reading in the first place I’ve been reminded of an issue when it comes to the reading community that I’ve never understood. 

Why do we put so many arbitrary rules on reading?

I’ve heard kids call something a “girl” or “boy” book and therefore determine that book wasn’t worth their time. Some teachers (and parents) tell students that comic books don’t count toward classroom reading goals. A lot of physical or digital book readers sit firmly in a camp that believe listening to audiobooks doesn’t count as actual reading. And how many times have you been judged for reading something someone else deemed “trash?” Or suffered through a book you hate just because everyone else liked it/it’s a classic?

Why do we make it so hard to let people enjoy what they want to enjoy?

Personally, I know I’ve been guilty of having snobbish tendencies, of judging and criticizing the reading choices of others in the past. When Fifty Shades of Grey first rose to popularity I was working in a library where copies were rarely on the shelf. I thought the series was awful, not because of the subject matter but because of the writing itself, and couldn’t believe so many people could stand to spend their time reading something that was so terribly written.

But ya know what? People were reading. A lot of people were reading. Probably a lot of people who might not usually pick up a book with their free time. And that was awesome! At this point, I see Fifty Shades as a gateway book, the one that has the ability to lead non-readers into finding more books to check out in the future. Those types of books are important!

Comic books can be seen as another gateway book. Personally, I say comics are real books. Some people don’t have the attention span for novels which make comics the perfect, bite size, dose of reading excitement. But, by telling children, and adults, that comics don’t count as books, we turn reading into this elitist activity that can only be done in a certain way and if you can’t adhere to those rules well then you don’t get to be part of the club. 

We have to stop filling each other’s heads with the idea that one type of book/reading is better than another. I HATE The Catcher in the Rye. But I suffered through trying to read it three times before I finally finished it just because it was a classic novel that so many people love. My time would have been better spent picking up any number of the thrillers or YA that I enjoy instead.

We also have to stop making our kids think that if they’re a boy they can’t read books with girls or pink on the cover or if they’re a girl they can’t pick up a book about bugs or action packed adventures. It’s 2021…stop pigeonholing entertainment based off of genitalia. It hinders our youth from getting to enjoy and express themselves.

Now, I know this post is technically about reading, but the sentiment can be applied to all aspects of life. Mind your business, let people do and enjoy what they want (that isn’t harmful to others) without your snarky comments and unasked for opinions. We shouldn’t have to defend what we like to anyone. Life is short and it’s hard. So let others get into whatever makes their time on Earth a little less trying. 

What’s your snobby reading opinion? Have you outgrown it or do you still hold fast to that stance? What’s a book you love that you can feel others judging from across the room? Or vice versa…what’s a book you’ve tried (and tried) to get through just because you thought you should? Let me know in the comments below!