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Do people judge you?
- Thread starter rainlax
- Start date
BeerWench13
Active Member
I used to spend my entire lunch break with a book and a sweet tea in my car. The weather was not cooperating for a while, so, instead of sitting in a restaurant reading I would bring my lunch back to my office and read my book at my desk. When the guys, who primarily work in the field and not in the office, saw me reading on my lunch break, they made fun of me quite frequently. At the time, I was reading Harry Potter. I can't tell you how many times they asked me if I'd finished my Dr. Seuss book yet.
The last time they were all in the office at lunch time I was reading part of The Iliad. They saw what I was reading, but none of them mocked me. For the last week or so, I've gotten more questions from them that begin with, "You read a lot, do you know..."
It's funny how their perception changed when they saw me reading Homer instead of what they considered a kid's book.
The last time they were all in the office at lunch time I was reading part of The Iliad. They saw what I was reading, but none of them mocked me. For the last week or so, I've gotten more questions from them that begin with, "You read a lot, do you know..."
It's funny how their perception changed when they saw me reading Homer instead of what they considered a kid's book.
bethanyr32
New Member
I read a lot of sci-fi and fantasy too, so I also am sometimes embarrassed by the hideous covers. I wonder sometimes what the librarian will think, but it doesn't deter me from checking out the book. I know I did get different looks from people when I was in college and reading classic lit or books in Greek than when I was reading something lighter on the side. I do love trying to see what someone else is reading, but I'm usually looking to see if it's interesting. I still love a good YA book, so it makes me smile when I see another adult reading one. It's amazing how hard it is to follow the old saying, don't judge a book by its cover!
chuephödli
Member
My office colleague keeps bringing Dan Brown novels for me to read - he thinks they are the hottest thing since sliced bread, and because he knows I read books, he wants to share... I can't bring myself to tell him what I think about Dan Brown.
I can't help having my own thoughts about his taste in literature, either.
I always judge people by what they read. I see somebody reading a) the Bible, b) Winnie the Pooh, or c) Faust, I know what to think of that person.
I can't help having my own thoughts about his taste in literature, either.
I always judge people by what they read. I see somebody reading a) the Bible, b) Winnie the Pooh, or c) Faust, I know what to think of that person.
BeerWench13
Active Member
Yes, but I have read all of those. What kind of person does that make me?
chuephödli
Member
I am rather awed, actually. What made you read Faust? And did you enjoy it?
Maybe I am not so much thinking of judging people by what they read per se, but rather by what I see them reading in public. Or is that the same thing? Would I read everything I read for the rest of the world to see?
I'll have to think about that.
Completely concur with this. I certainly find it the case with an author such as Thomas Mann, but while reading his work takes me longer than that of some other authors, I find it immensely rewarding.
That isn't to say that I don't also enjoy lighter fiction, but I would suggest that such books give you something different.
Back to the original topic: I couldn't less what people see me reading – or what other people themselves read. I'd rather people read than not read.
The only thing that does grate slightly is seeing people sit on public transport on the way to work reading a Bible; it gives me a sense of 'been there, done that, got the t-shirt – now got a life'.
booklover85
New Member
I don't care what people see me reading...or what others are reading. I read for me, not others.
Same here for me, I don't really care what people think about me. I love reading books, as long as it's something that makes me feel happy and rewarding, I don't care what title the book bears.
Having said that, I must admit that I do judge people by what books they read. I try not to do that these days but I can't help it at times. For example, one friend of mine only read thrillers. She doesn't know anything outside that genre. I was kinda surprised. Maybe, to me, I think that it is important that we read broadly because that's what reading is all about. It's just me but, if a person only reads ONE genre or books from one particular author, it seems to me that reading isn't really for him.
Having said that, I must admit that I do judge people by what books they read. I try not to do that these days but I can't help it at times. For example, one friend of mine only read thrillers. She doesn't know anything outside that genre. I was kinda surprised. Maybe, to me, I think that it is important that we read broadly because that's what reading is all about. It's just me but, if a person only reads ONE genre or books from one particular author, it seems to me that reading isn't really for him.
Of course people judge you for what you read. It's the same in all aspects of life, such as what you wear, how you do your hair. You're consciously or unconsciously sending a statement to everyone.
It is difficult to judge someone because they're reading Dan Brown though, you're missing a heck of a lot of variables. For instance, I've read Dan Brown out in public to see what the craze is about. You'd probably take me for some standard run of the mill 'chic' reader, not knowing it's the same guy who enjoys classic literature, and shops around used book stores.
It is difficult to judge someone because they're reading Dan Brown though, you're missing a heck of a lot of variables. For instance, I've read Dan Brown out in public to see what the craze is about. You'd probably take me for some standard run of the mill 'chic' reader, not knowing it's the same guy who enjoys classic literature, and shops around used book stores.
BeerWench13
Active Member
It's a classic. Yes, I enjoyed it immensely. It was over a decade ago that I read it. I got to choose any book for a book report, and I chose Faust. I was in a phase where I was entranced with witchcraft, wizardry and magic and it fit perfectly.chuephödli said:
You know, that would be worth re-reading. It's been ages and, other than the main characters and basic plot, much of it has faded from memory. Well, off to amazon to update.
chuephödli
Member
It's a classic. Yes, I enjoyed it immensely. It was over a decade ago that I read it. I got to choose any book for a book report, and I chose Faust. I was in a phase where I was entranced with witchcraft, wizardry and magic and it fit perfectly.
You know, that would be worth re-reading. It's been ages and, other than the main characters and basic plot, much of it has faded from memory. Well, off to amazon to update.
Witchcraft, wizardry and magic - if my old German teacher heard you
... I certainly agree, the book is quite a trip.I admit that I never managed to finished Faust II, though: too weird and high-brow even for me.
Forest Elf
New Member
I like reading a lot of different things. I enjoy sitting and reading the Encyclopedia Britannica. I like Jane Austen. I like Shakespeare. But I also enjoy an occasional nice trashy romance.
I guess it is like food. I like lobster. I also like spinach salad. And I like chocolate chip cookies.
But I do most of my reading curled up in a chair at home ... or in the bunk of our truck ... rarely do I read in public.
When I read, I lose track of what is going on around me. So, I doubt I'd notice people's reaction to my book choice.
I guess it is like food. I like lobster. I also like spinach salad. And I like chocolate chip cookies.
But I do most of my reading curled up in a chair at home ... or in the bunk of our truck ... rarely do I read in public.
When I read, I lose track of what is going on around me. So, I doubt I'd notice people's reaction to my book choice.
BeerWench13
Active Member
Well, I saw it was about the devil and alchemy and it entranced me. I never read Faust II either. I never even tried, to be honest. I will say that the Christian school which I was attending did not like my choosing Faust for a book report. However, I did get an A+ on the report.chuephödli said:
BeerWench13
Active Member
I agree that it was pathetic. There was a big hooplah when I turned in my report that lead to my parents and I having to meet with the principal. However, the teacher did not give us any limitations on what to read, nor did she require the book to be approved prior to the report, so it was much ado about nothing since I was well within the guidelines of the assignment. Fortunately, even though both of my parents are very strict Baptists, they went to bat on my side having seen how much work I had put into the report.
Good for your parents.
It sends a shudder down my spine to read news reports of schools in the US refusing to let Harry Potter books be taken out of school libraries without written permission from parents, and to read of the same books being burnt by church groups (even CS Lewis's Narnia series – a Christian allegory, for goodness sake – has been condemned because it included witches and magic; Screwtape Letters have also been criticised for having devils as characters).
Book burning, whether by Christians or Muslims (Satanic Verses) or any other group always makes me think of the Nazis and particularly the most famous book burning in the cobbled square between parts of the Humboldt University in Berlin (somewhere I've visited) in May 1933.