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Reading Is Not A Competitive Sport

Dang it, just as I was writing about how crappy it is to shame readers about what genre and format they read, somebody at The Guardian was doing her best to insult both genre readers and the formats they read in, with startling efficiency. I am not a “furtive” ebook reader! I do not read ebooks to hide my addiction to genre fiction! And I think it’s revolting to inform readers that they SHOULD be furtive about their reading tastes- that they should buy the classics in hardcover for display purposes (instead of buying whatever they like to read in hardcover for the purpose of actually reading). Contrary to the assertion the author makes, READING IS NOT A COMPETITIVE SPORT.

If it were I would lose. I tried, but I can’t even keep track on Goodreads of how many books I’ve read this year already. The shelves you see on entering my house are not where I preserve “classics”. I am not doing my reading to impress anyone or to win anything. And I am angry that someone who thinks that displaying award winners to show how literary you are is more important that you, or me, or anyone, reading what we love. There is no shame in that. It’s something to revel in. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

Posted on February 10, 2012 by , Reply

Don’t Shame the Reader

All the arguments about what format is best get really old after awhile, In fact, the readers at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books are tired enough of hearing them that they’ve come together to come up with words to describe people who are a little too adamant about any format (here’s a link to SB Sarah’s original post… to see the reader comments, which are fabulous, scroll down past the bit on ebook deals).

And really, the format debate takes attention away from what matters most to those who want to promote literacy and reading for everyone.  Our own philosophy here is that your taste in reading is personal. Our original intent, when we wrote that for the world to see was because we believe that NOBODY should be shamed for reading what they love. You shouldn’t  feel that you have to justify or defend your choice of reading material.

So I just had to share this, mostly because it’s awesome (once again, you’ll have to scroll down).

Really now. Let’s get back to basics. Reading, whatever and however you do it, is the thing that matters.

Posted on February 5, 2012 by , Reply

The Top Picks in Horror Fiction from RUSA’s “Must Read” Titles in Genre Fiction for 2012

ALA’s Reference and User Services Association(aka RUSA) is made up of top readers’ advisory librarians, and they have just announced their “must read” list for genre fiction for 2012.  I thought I’d share it here and see whether all you avid horror readers agree with their choices.

TOP PICK

The Ridge by Michael Koryta, Little, Brown, 9780316053662
The unexplained death of an eccentric lighthouse keeper in the isolated Kentucky woods, followed by a mysterious threat to a nearby large cat sanctuary prompt an investigation by a journalist and the local sheriff. Palpable evil and a sense of dread drive this chilling tale.

READ-ALIKES:

The Dead Path by Stephen Irwin
Those Across the River by Christopher Buehlman
Harbor by John Ajvide Lindqvist

SHORT LIST:

The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan, Knopf, 9780307595089
The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian, Crown, 9780307394996
Raising Stony Mayhall by Daryl Gregory, Del Rey, 9780345522375
The White Devil by Justin Evans, Harper Collins, 9780061728273

I know our own Top Picks list included a few of these, but some I’m not familiar with at all. Do you agree with the librarians of RUSA?

 

Posted on January 31, 2012 by , Reply
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