Just a Thought Inspired by a Kid's Show

This morning before work, I played an episode of Arthur for my daughter while I got myself and her ready. In this episode, the characters enter a reading challenge to win prizes. One of the characters wants to win a skateboard, so to win more points he reads a book one of the girls received a high score for and loved. But he didn't like the book. So he gave up on reading completely. His mother came to him and handed him a manuscript from a co-worker. Immediately he was hooked and couldn't stop reading. It went everywhere with him. But, when he asked his teacher about it, he learned he couldn't earn points on the quizzes because it wasn't listed. Desperate to win a skateboard, he tried reading the book he didn't like again. But he still wanted to read the other book. In the end he reads the book he likes because he realizes reading isn't about what you can win, but it's for your enjoyment.
Considering I'm a writer, this kid's show struck a chord with me. My book is out there for people to love or hate. As writers, that's the risk we take. I know not everyone will love Kiya and any other book I put out there, but you know what? I don't love every book out there either! I feel that as long as we seek out books we do enjoy, everyone will be happy. When people actively trash talk books, it breaks my heart. I know how much heart and soul goes into these works, so just because I don't like it, doesn't mean someone else won't love it.
Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not a Twilight fan. But, I know Twilight has an insanely huge following. Does that mean I call them stupid or ignorant? No. Does that mean I pick apart Ms. Meyers ability to story tell? No. Her books don't suit me, so I move on to books I do enjoy.
Arthur taught a great lesson to kids which I think adults forget. Everyone is different and like different things. Binkey couldn't stand the bestseller, but he loved the cyborg! There are so many books out there that if you don't like one, you can easily find ten you love. I like to think we are all smart enough to make good judgments on what we know we like, and be kind enough to not say cruel things about those we don't.