I recently went to an event where the fact that I was a book reader was raised. What proceeded was the most painful, inane discussion I think I’ve ever had to sit through. It was full of many questions and statements I’ve heard before. I can’t be the only one to get these, so I’m here to share my pain in the hopes that you know it too. So here I am to bring you some of the highlights of that conversation and some of the mental responses I couldn’t help but elicit.
1. Have you read Twilight?
No, not everyone has read Twilight. Okay, maybe I have, but that is beside the bloody point. Nobody cares about Twilight. Move on!
2. Have you read (random book name)?
Just because I read a lot of books doesn’t mean I’ve read that one random book you once read. So stop listing them at me and acting disappointed that I haven’t made time to read them. Do you even realise how many books are published every WEEK?!
3. How do you even have time to read?
I make time. Because reading is important to me. Just like you make time for five different reality TV shows about cake baking.
4. Don’t you find it hard to read a whole book?
Don’t you find it hard to finish a whole sentence?
5. Books are boring.
I’m sorry that books don’t seem to fill the entertainment void left in your brain by the likes of Honey Boo Boo.
6. I only read classics because they don’t publish like they used to.
That’s right, you’re too much of a genius reading The Great Gatsby for the fifteenth time to bother with anything new and possibly equally brilliant. Elitist piece of *&$#!
7. Isn’t YA only for kids?
Bieke @ Istyria book blog
Ahahahaha XD “I’m sorry that books don’t seem to fill the entertainment void left in your brain by the likes of Honey Boo Boo.” AHAHAHA XD
Kat Kennedy
I admit to giggling at that myself.
Jennifer @ Bookshelfery
Number three is so dead on with some people in my life!
Kat Kennedy
It’s like they just can’t fathom it.
Dragana
I think all readers suffer from these questions. 🙁
Another situation that happens to me:
Other person: – I used to read a lot, but lately I don’t have the time.
Me (enthusiastically): – Oh yeah, what did you read?
Other person: – You know, books. A lot of books.
Kat Kennedy
That is so annoying!
Fangs for the Fantasy
And lo, this is why booze was invented.
Kat Kennedy
I did end up getting drunk, yes.
Natalie Monroe
3, 4, and 5 are favorites of acquaintances. Just because you enjoy spending five hours a day on Facebook doesn’t mean I like to.
Kat Kennedy
So agree.
Cassi @ My Thoughts Literally
Yes to all of these, especially number 2! Just because I read a lot doesn’t mean I have read every book in the world. Have you seen how many books exist! I also hate when people say “oh, I only read non-fiction because if I find the time to read I want to be able to learn something.” That’s when I go all Kindergarten Cop on them!
Kat Kennedy
I swear when I saw that gif, it was exactly how I wanted to react to some of these fools.
Kate Copeseeley
I get the combo pack. I say that I like everything but I prefer YA and the first comment I get is, “I like that Hunger Games one, have you read that?” (Yeah, like a bazillion years ago, BEFORE the movie that inspired you to pick it up. Hunger games is like Twilight in my book mentioning world.) And then, when they’ve exhausted the only YA book they’ve ever read, they start quizzing me about all the “grown up” books I should have read already. *sigh*
Kat Kennedy
The quizzing is the absolute worst.
Steph Sinclair
Oh how about when they ask you what’s a good book you’ve read recently and when you go to recommend something, you realize they all don’t come out for at least a year. So then you have to explain what an ARC is and the person completely loses interest in whatever you want to tell them. Sigh.
Kat Kennedy
#bookbloggerproblems
Beth W
I am so, so sorry you had to go to a Neanderthal convention. That much idiocy and vapidness must’ve been painful.
Seriously, who doesn’t READ?!
Kat Kennedy
Apparently a lot of people, which just boggles my mind.
Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction
Ugh. I hate getting into conversations like this. I don’t know why but the ‘how do you have time to read’ thing really annoys me. I don’t know why but it does. I look everywhere for readers outside of this community and never find any *sobs* I’m so sad more people are missing out on the best hobby ever.
Kat Kennedy
Yeah it makes me sad too tbh.
Marie
I get that too, most people ask me what kind of books I like to read, which is a perfectly fine question, but when I tell them “all kinds” they look at me funny.
But my sister-in-law asked me a question that I really didn’t know how to answer, She asked me what my favorite quote was from one of the books I told her was really good. (Daughter of Smoke and Bone) And it’s hard to answer that when the quote taken out of context doesn’t make any sense.
Lena Marsteller
# 2 and #3…. I get those sometimes… If anyone said to me that reading is boring… I would say that they were boring (haha great comeback right?) Awesome post!
Megz
I love these! Such good answers, heh.
I’ve learned recently that a lot of the times when people ask me those questions they don’t actually mean it condescendingly though. Sometimes they’re just really ignorant, but also trying to have conversation and find something to relate to.
So, I try to gently put them on the right path and then once they turn the corner I find something to punch 😛
Ella
These are so funny and yet so true. But what really drives me insane is when I tell someone I’m reading a book or I recommend a book for them to read and they reply with “Oh, the movie is so awesome!”. I have a huge issue with movies that were once books. It’s not that I’m trying to be a snob but if I’ve read the book and I REALLY enjoyed it, I have a hard time enjoying the movie because the whole time I’m watching it I’m saying to myself “they left this out, that’s not in the book, who is this character that doesn’t even exist in the book, this is bullshit.” And I can’t even finish conversations with people who tell me the movie was better than the book.
Johannah
“Aren’t you a little too old for young adult books?” That one makes me want to scream at them.
Jessica
OMG all of these. I get so face-punchy.
La Coccinelle
“Don’t you find it hard to read a whole book?”
Why, yes, sometimes it is hard (especially if it’s a book by Stephenie Meyer). It’s also hard to run a marathon, get a Ph.D., volunteer in a war-torn country, learn a new language, have a baby, climb a mountain, develop a scientific theory, or face adversity while maintaining a good attitude. That doesn’t mean those aren’t worthwhile things to do.
Wendy @ Book Scents
This is amazing and I love it. ESPECIALLY that last gif. I literally want to do that every time someone says that. Except, then my head would be gone and how would I get to read. But seriously. Annoys the HELL out of me.
Lauren
Yeah, I’ve heard pretty much all of these… *sigh*
Shannelle
What event was this, even? I mean, seriously, I think it’s fine that some of those who know me as really bookish ask me if I’ve read this book, but making a big deal out of it is definitely not okay. I’m not superhuman!
And you had to endure the whole questions the blogosphere generally hates: the one about making time to read and isn’t YA for children question. I think it’s a given you’re never going to that event again.
Maria
Hahaha! Genius 😀 It’s amazing how many ignorant people are out there. One thing that annoys me, but maybe wouldn’t happen at a convention, is how people are perfectly fine interrupting you while you’re reading, like you weren’t doing anything at all. As if reading is not important. As if reading is something you do when you have nothing else to do and you’re not really paying attention to what is happening in the book. It’s so rude! No one would interrupt a person talking on the phone or with another person, or a person watching a movie.
Rosie
Haha this made me chuckle. I don’t think I’ve really come across many comments like this thankfully. Did someone seriously ask how you manage to finish an entire book? That’s crazy, I don’t even understand how that’s a question.
Mel@thedailyprophecy
‘Books are boring’ is something I hear so often or indeed the famous ‘how do you have the time?’ Uhhh, you do other things besides work/school too right, so time enough if you ask me. YA only for kids is only the message I get from the media, I’m lucky nobody around me thinks like that.
Kayla @ The Thousand Lives
That last one, definitely. And I’m ashamed to say I used to be guilty of #6 before I started blogging a year ago! So glad I got over that mentality 😛
Deidre Greenly
Oh… 3, 4 & 5 … really? But sadly I know it is true. I use tv to clear my mind — it puts me to sleep. Reading is like constant discovery. Keep discovering Kat!
Amanda P.
OH MY GOSH YESS!!!!! At last! Someone has said everything I’ve ever thought when people ask me these questions. Thank you!
Hannah @ The Irish Banana Review
Is now a good time to mention that I actually love The Great Gatsby and have read it multiple times for fun? No?
*hides*
Book Blogger News & Info from the Bloggerista
[…] Condescending Sh*t to Say to Book Readers is funny – and yup, a few of the things on this list have been said to me too. […]
Chris Cannon
I love the last gif. When I tell people I write YA, they say, “Oh, like the Baby Sitters Club?” I want to say, “Yes. Exactly like that, but the babysitters are shape-shifting dragons.”
Anya
Haha, oh god yes! I always start cringing inside when I see that “I’m about to tell you about my favorite series that you probably haven’t read and expect that you would have read it” face! I’m so surprised on the rare occasions that I actually have read the books, haha! I also love it when I get statements from friends who don’t read my blog along the lines of “Have you heard of The Lunar Chronicles series, soooo good!” and I’m like, yes, indeed I have, and have reviewed them all and possibly initially recommended them to you >.>
Rebecca @ The Library Canary
3 and 4 are like a daily thing in my life, I swear. We don’t ask ppl who watch TV all these ridiculously stupid questions. Sometimes (all the time) I really HATE talking to nonreaders.
Morgan
There is also the question…Whatcha reading?
You tell them (insert book name).
Then they just stare blankly at you, blink a couple of times,
and then you continue reading.
Weekly Recap| Nov 9-15, 2014 | Oh, the Books!
[…] Kat shares some a list of condescending sh*t to say to readers. […]
Julie @ Books and Insomnia
“Books are boring.” Every time I hear that, I felt like punching someone in the mouth. Violent much, I know. Haha..
Lyn Kaye
“I make time. Because reading is important to me. Just like you make time for five different reality TV shows about cake baking.”
WORD.
DanetteCJ
YES to #7! What I especially love is the look of scared confusion on strictly elitist readers’ faces when I mention I have a particular fondness for YA.
Stephanie Scott
The elitest comment gets to me. So you don’t like to read–so what what? Why the BS comments? Which all points back to: People are the worst. Not you people here, but “people.”