A Much Needed Conversation with the Bookish Community

Y'all need to chill.

The internet has done amazing things for authors and readers. It has given us more ways to connect, more ways to read, and more ways to meet new friends who enjoy the same things we do.

However, over the past few months, I’ve noticed an uptick in fighting within the community. It’s wild to see how often people are forcing their ideals of what reading is on other people. From bickering over if a book/series is good to how people consume the media, it’s difficult to find a happy corner of the space these days.

The Fight About Audiobooks

1. Should we count listening to audiobooks as reading?

This is a fight that happens all the time. People are divided on if they count as reading or not. Audiobooks are a necessary accessibility tool for many reasons. The major one is that it offers people who are visually impaired the chance to consume the media. Are we really telling them that they don’t count as readers because audiobooks are the only way they can get the story?

Personally, I listen to audiobooks almost every day. I listen while I do chores, make food, work, drive, and even while reading. For me, it helps me immerse myself in the story and remove other distractions from my reading time. I find that I remember more about the book when I listen and read together. Sometimes all I can get from the library is the audiobook because the books are so popular. That shouldn’t mean that I didn’t read the book because I used the resources available to me.

2. Should we judge people for the speed they listen to the audiobooks at?

I’m sure we’ve all seen the infamous Audible ad that judged its own customers for listening to audiobooks at faster speeds. Oh you haven’t seen it? Here’s the ad:

@audibleSpeed it up or slow it down? The decision is yours with Narration Speed.

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This sparked a massive conversation about what the “correct speed” is to listen to the audiobook. The answer is this: whatever speed you want. Who cares how fast other people are listening to things? Why does it matter what people do with their lives when it has zero effect on you? I know someone at Audible probably thought the ad was funny but honestly, why are you shaming your customers? One would think that you would be encouraging faster speeds so they buy more from you, but you do you Audible.

If you’re like me, 1x speed is agonizingly slow. I generally sit around the 1.75x to 2x speed depend on if its got a lot of fantasy elements. A great example is Star Wars audiobooks. Because of all the universe specific lingo, I tend to slow it down a bit. I tend to get lost otherwise. But if its a contemporary romance novel, I can kick the speed up because I know what’s happening in the world.

TLDR: Audiobooks are reading, listen at whatever speed you find comfortable.

The Series/Author Warriors

Die hard fans can be terrifying. They would go to war for their favorite (whatever that favorite may be), and take down everything in their path. I get it! Trust me I do! I’m a (chill about it I swear) Swiftie and a K-pop fan. I see fan wars break out almost daily. I will never understand why they happen, but to each their own I guess.

When it comes to book fandoms, I feel like we lose the plot a bit. I’ve seen people viciously attacking people for not wanting to read a certain series/author for any reason really, and the fans will act like they personally wronged them. I get it, I really do. You want the world to also like your faves but its not that deep. Some people just don’t like what you like and that is okay. Not everyone is into Romantasy. Not everyone wants to read spicy books. There are people out there who do and those are your people. But to go and attack someone for not liking or not understanding something about the series/author? Not okay.

@sarahthebookfairyLet me introduce you to the magic of ✨different opinions✨ Stop being jerks wtf

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What is okay is constructive criticism. This is how authors grow, how we all grow. I went years believing Twilight was the best written series and that there was nothing wrong with it because I was a teenager who didn’t care to look into it more. As an adult, I absolutely agree that the series is problematic and guess what, I don’t threaten people over the fact that they don’t like it. Is it still one of my favorite series of all time? Yes, absolutely, but I also recognize that it is a form of art, not everyone is going to like what I like, and it is okay to call out problems with writing.

This is the internet, and just like I’m doing now with this post, people are going to give their thoughts on things whether we like it or not. The key is knowing what to put your energy into and when to just move on from the negativity.

TLDR: Chill besties, not everyone will like what you like and that’s okay. You don’t need to insult people over it.

Vibe Reading vs Intellectual Reading

This is a tough conversation to have with people. Its so polarizing but its an important one to have. The term Anti-Intellectualism is something you’ve probably heard in the community. What does it mean? The short answer is consuming media without thinking critically and provoking thought. In context to books, its not wanting to read certain books and believing its a waste of time to consume anything that makes them think.

Let me just say this: read what you want. Consume media how you want. But you can both read for vibes and read for intellectual purposes.

I can only speak on how I approach this topic so I will use myself as an example. I call myself a Vibe Reader. I try to read diversely, meaning I like to read books from authors of color, different genres, and books that include various representation. I like to read books that are thought provoking and make me want to know more about a topic that I may not be familiar with or make me question how I approach life.

But sometimes I just want to have a brain off time with a cheesy, predictable book. Does that mean I can’t read things with a critical lens and critique the book? Absolutely not. The first thing I will do with a book that is poorly written is say it’s poorly written. Just because I take something away from a book doesn’t mean others will see it the same way.

I think there is a way to enjoy both dense, thought provoking books as well as books that aren’t meant to really challenge a reader. At the end of the day, you are the one who decides what you consume and there should be no judgement from others because you prefer one thing over another. As long as the author is not problematic (a discussion for a different day), people should be able to read what they want. Just try to be critical and think about what you are reading on more than the surface of the words.

TLDR: Read diversely, think about the depth of what you read.

Shaming People for HOW They Get Books

First off, why is it any of your business where people are getting their books? Why do YOU care if they are buying books from places that are available to them or within their budget? Not everyone has a local indie bookstore that they can support. Of course, if you can, support local bookstores, shop ethically and sustainably, but not everyone can.

@samboydreadsIt’s Tuesday morning yall. I didn’t wanna wake up mad lol #bookshopping #bookstores #target #walmart #amazon

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If this conversation is proving anything, it’s proving to be elitist. Reading is for everyone. Books are for everyone. Just because you think you are morally superior for not buying from Amazon or a big box store, doesn’t mean that other people should be shamed for using the only resources they have. Not everyone can drop $30 for a brand new book. We shouldn’t shame them for wanting to read new books and finding ways to get them.

I kindly offer a few suggestions, if you can afford to get books this way. If you’re an Amazon, Walmart, Target shopper, might I suggest you try Bookshop.org (physical and ebooks, allows you to support a local bookstores), and Thriftbooks (used and new books). I’ve had a great experience with both Bookshop.org and Thriftbooks so I feel comfortable recommending both.

TLDR: Calm down and mind your business.

There is a lot more going on in the community that I could touch on, and probably will later, but these issues have been bothering me a lot. I want everyone to enjoy what they read and not feel like they are fighting for their lives every time they want to talk about it online. Everyone needs to take a deep, calming breath and focus their energy on things elsewhere. Reading is for everyone. Read responsibly.

Let me know your thoughts on the ongoing fighting that is happening in the community!