Choosing Not To Read
I've fallen into a couple of online reader's/writer's communities over the last couple of years, mostly (although not exclusively) on Goodreads. But I'm finding them harder and harder to get excited about. Some of them are centered around a specific author, and even if I really enjoy that author, the constant almost boot-licking positivity and He-Can-Do-No-Wrong-ness just kind of get wearing.
Mostly, though, I hate when one author absolutely refuses to admit that a.) there might be anything less than likable about another author's work (usually someone they're sort of mentoring through -- or have been mentored by) or b.) when I really like a particular author as a person -- meaning someone I'd love to be real-life friends with -- but just honestly have been largely unable to enjoy their writing.
The first just gives me the creepies -- if you can't take the idea that someone else may not take your word as gospel, maybe you should just stay off Goodreads. Because that book you're so "OMGPerfect!!" about? Well, honestly, between the blurb and the excerpt I've read and the gushyfangirlysquee-ness of the "die hard supporters," I can honestly tell you I have no desire whatsoever to buy and read this book. I'm not sure I'd even be willing to enter a free giveaway for this title. *That's* how turned off I am by it. I get that it's probably a backlash against the current kerfluffles surrounding bad reviews and bad behavior by authors reading less-than-glowy reviews, but honestly? It's OK to have in-between reactions. It's ok to not think that every word is a polished gem worthy of the most elegant of settings. It's ok even to dislike something, and say so, in plain language. So, yeah -- get over yourself. No matter how sure you are that your own book, or your friend/protege's book is the pinnacle of publishing, there are going to be people who don't like it. There may even be people who don't like it based solely on their perception of the author, due to comments on blogs or Twitter or whatever. And I'll be honest -- I can think of at least one author who has never actually been *mean* but who tends to talk down to anyone s/he perceives as less well-educated, less talented, less... whatever. And, yeah, that has *certainly* made me feel less inclined to have any desire whatsoever to buy books. Luckily, s/he hasn't offended me to the point of wanting to read anything SOLELY to give a bad review, but... Let's just say it's been close.
The second... (I'll pause while you go back up and look for b. above) ...honestly, that makes me feel guilty. Like a Bad Friend. Which is, I know, completely ridiculous. I think the problem, for me, comes when I see someone as a person I'd like to be friends with, but I know they don't feel the same about me. I feel left out, less than, lacking in some ways. Which, again, I know, ridiculous. But there it is. This is the one place where I'm going to let my insecurities flop about any which way, because I'm reasonably certain that, even if there was a slight chance these people would recognize themselves, they're not reading this anyway. It's only my true, dear friends who can't imagine anyone being condescending to me, or not loving me as much as they do.
And for that, my dears, I thank you. You keep my head on straight and remind me that I'm not losing out -- THEY are losing out by not looking deeper than the SAHM-on-top. :D
Mostly, though, I hate when one author absolutely refuses to admit that a.) there might be anything less than likable about another author's work (usually someone they're sort of mentoring through -- or have been mentored by) or b.) when I really like a particular author as a person -- meaning someone I'd love to be real-life friends with -- but just honestly have been largely unable to enjoy their writing.
The first just gives me the creepies -- if you can't take the idea that someone else may not take your word as gospel, maybe you should just stay off Goodreads. Because that book you're so "OMGPerfect!!" about? Well, honestly, between the blurb and the excerpt I've read and the gushyfangirlysquee-ness of the "die hard supporters," I can honestly tell you I have no desire whatsoever to buy and read this book. I'm not sure I'd even be willing to enter a free giveaway for this title. *That's* how turned off I am by it. I get that it's probably a backlash against the current kerfluffles surrounding bad reviews and bad behavior by authors reading less-than-glowy reviews, but honestly? It's OK to have in-between reactions. It's ok to not think that every word is a polished gem worthy of the most elegant of settings. It's ok even to dislike something, and say so, in plain language. So, yeah -- get over yourself. No matter how sure you are that your own book, or your friend/protege's book is the pinnacle of publishing, there are going to be people who don't like it. There may even be people who don't like it based solely on their perception of the author, due to comments on blogs or Twitter or whatever. And I'll be honest -- I can think of at least one author who has never actually been *mean* but who tends to talk down to anyone s/he perceives as less well-educated, less talented, less... whatever. And, yeah, that has *certainly* made me feel less inclined to have any desire whatsoever to buy books. Luckily, s/he hasn't offended me to the point of wanting to read anything SOLELY to give a bad review, but... Let's just say it's been close.
The second... (I'll pause while you go back up and look for b. above) ...honestly, that makes me feel guilty. Like a Bad Friend. Which is, I know, completely ridiculous. I think the problem, for me, comes when I see someone as a person I'd like to be friends with, but I know they don't feel the same about me. I feel left out, less than, lacking in some ways. Which, again, I know, ridiculous. But there it is. This is the one place where I'm going to let my insecurities flop about any which way, because I'm reasonably certain that, even if there was a slight chance these people would recognize themselves, they're not reading this anyway. It's only my true, dear friends who can't imagine anyone being condescending to me, or not loving me as much as they do.
And for that, my dears, I thank you. You keep my head on straight and remind me that I'm not losing out -- THEY are losing out by not looking deeper than the SAHM-on-top. :D