Meagan’s answer to “Is this book clean?” > Likes and Comments
152 likes · Like
I totally agree, Lara. At best, the author's reply was extremely unprofessional. But at least we get to see her true colors flying high, so we can decide for ourselves whether or not to give such an unappreciative person our money.
Hi Lara! If you're curious why I chose to answer this question lightly rather than seriously, I'm happy to explain--it's just a longer answer than I felt was actually helpful, since it's not actually the answer to her question.
The idea of "clean" books and "dirty" books makes me extremely uncomfortable morally and artistically. First of all, I don't feel that I can define for anyone, much less a stranger, what makes something "clean." Some people object to sex and not to violence, others are polar opposites.
But mostly, I feel that the de facto labeling of books that do include, on some scale, any of these "questionable" topics as "dirty" is socially and morally irresponsible, particularly with younger readers in mind. By using the word "clean," the implication is that those books that don't fit into that vague and ever-changing category are somehow worth less, given our cultural fixation on the black and white line between virginal purity vs., well, anything else. There have been times in the not-so-recent past of the United States publishing market where books about an interracial couple, for example, or a homosexual couple, would've been labeled as filth in many markets. I'm sure you've heard references to Harry Potter, for example, being banned in some schools and libraries because the series is about witchcraft, and that goes against the county government's religious mores.
I think "clean" and "dirty," if you choose to view books that way, are labels that each reader decides for him or herself. I think that if certain topics bother you as a reader, and you don't want to read books that include them, it's perfectly fine to ask a friend or bookseller or librarian or anyone who's read it, really, about its content. (Note that asking if a book contains graphic sex, for example, is different than asking if a book is "clean.") My personal preference is usually to try the book, and then if I don't like it, or they cover certain topics in ways I feel aren't sensitive or realistic enough for my tastes, I simply stop reading it. However you choose to screen the books you read, it's your right to do so.
But I also reserve the right not to participate in the "clean" vs. "dirty" conversation, especially when it comes to my own work. Censorship is an extremely weighty issue for many writers, myself included, and it's not the issue the original asker meant to ask as far as I can tell. So rather than assume that the asker was thinking about any of the social and moral implications of the question, and launch into a lecture that might make her feel attacked, I chose to answer it lightly, knowing someone else would have the resources to provide whatever answers she was looking for. (Which, I would note, they did, in the next answer. Thanks, Regan!)
Finally, to anyone who might be leaving and deleting comments attacking me personally -- have a hug. We're all book lovers here. How we talk about books is as important as our choice of the books we read and write. Surely we can all feel like part of the same community, united by our love of words, even if we all don't have the same political or ethical views.
You're entitled to your opinion, but so are your readers. It's possible that the op was asking because they have a child who is interested in reading the book. Most parents define "clean" as behavior that is publicly acceptable in our modern-day society, and going any deeper than that is simply splitting hairs. I know that you understand this concept, so I stand by my statement that your soapbox response and rude sarcasm toward the op is bkth unprofessional and quite obnoxious. It isn't attacking you to tell you honestly and directly that your behavior is inappropriate at best.
Amen, Rebbie. Needless semantics. Good reason not to read this book xD
Oh my god, Emilyzzz, are you really going let her first answer (which I thought was pretty funny. I also liked the opinion she voiced in the second one) make you decide whether or not to read the book. How childish is that!
Funny, these two answers for me are a reason to actually pick up this book. The first shows Spooner has humour, the second that i like how she thinks and writes. Ordering the book today :)
I too thought it was a legitimate question, as I came here interested in gauging appropriateness for my 14 year old daughter. I understand the author's aversion to the term "clean", and that it's a matter of perspective, but she could have offered more insight rather than poke fun at the question without offering a constructive answer. I ask many authors this same question (in different terms) before purchasing their books for my daughter, if I can't find info on commonsensemedia.org.
So what is it? Clean or not so clean?
I agree with Marise - the author's response has made me far more interested in reading her work. I disagree that she was obliged to provide more insight - my response would be that if the person wants to vet their child's reading, the obvious way to do so would be to read it themself first. One person's view on what's ok for their child or even, as mentioned, 'in greater society' is always going to differ vastly.
"Oh my god." Natulcien, yes I think it's silly to take an innocent question like this so far. The first response was pretty amusing (if frustrating because we never actually got the answer), but then to come back with turning this into some kind of weird moral argument is off-putting. Also, thanks for calling me childish! Young at heart live longer :)
The author's response is really quite perfect considering this is a question that's rather impossible to answer. Everyone has their own definition of "clean" and the original ask did nothing to specify what sort of content they were worried about. If there's no graphic sex scenes but the Beast turns out to be female, does that still count as "clean"? If there's no sex but brutal, vicious, graphic violence will it still be acceptable for this OP? Or what if there's nothing graphic at all, but it's strongly implied that the Beast drugs and rapes Beauty? Is that still "clean"? If you want to know about the content of a book, ask about what specific type of content you're concerned about, don't use vague, meaningless buzzwords that don't actually convey what you're really asking.
Just adding a +1 that the author's response and follow up make me more likely to read this book.
+1 for the author's response. All these concepts of "clean" and "dirty" for referring to sex are simply ridiculous, it makes sex appear like something bad. If you are concerned about some types of contents just go and say it clearly. These euphemisms are absurd and wrong.
The author's answer is perfect, in my opinion! As a librarian, I get these questions often, and it's always one I feel uncomfortable answering. We always recommend that the parent read the book themselves if they're really concerned, because what one person will find acceptable, another will not, and the line is never clear. Had the author said it was, but there was hand-holding (something one parent has told me was not okay for her pre-teens!) because for most people, hand-holding is totally fine, it would have been the author blamed for the child's exposure to what the parent deems unclean, rather than the parent.
And I agree that the idea that sex is inherently dirty is not okay, and if that's also the stance of the author, then I don't blame her for not wanting to participate in a conversation that perpetuates sex as a taboo subject (particularly for teenagers, who are totally doing it, or thinking about doing it).
All these twisted panties!—oh dear is that too graphic? Damn, some people need to lighten up
I rarely read YA but I'll read this one just because of the author's comments!
Oh my gosh! I loved this book and now I'm sure I love the author based on both of her answers. Ms. Spooner will you be my friend? I make some pretty mean chocolate chip cookies.
Personally, I find it a bit odd that so many parents are choosing books for their teenagers to read. My parents never once contacted authors about the content of their writing. If they ever purchased a book for me it was one I picked out and they simply paid for as a birthday or holiday present because they trusted me to pick what to read for my own self. I am not a parent. I am a month shy of twenty. But for the love of god, asking an author to label their own books as clean or dirty is just absurd. That's what community reviews are for, people!
I almost always want to know if a book is clean or not before reading it. And thanks to the wonderful people who ask these questions, I usually get my answer from here and it's quite helpful. Because normally if I know that a book is totally clean, I don't go for it xD
And also, I don't think it's wrong that people differentiate between clean and unclean. It just makes things easier to categorize. And in no way does it make sex seem like a bad thing. 'Cause I usually go for the unclean ones. But again, for me it all depends on the intensity of the romance. Sex or no sex, as long as the romance is great and the magic is not lost.
This response makes me think the author is one of those people who sexualize underaged kids or inappropriately markets books as YA despite the content, even if that’s not the case with this book, I’d never know cause I’ll never read it.
I love your answer Meagan- both of them in fact.
I laughed so much with this answer HAHAHHAH
it's sad to me to see how many people get annoyed if someone asks if a book is clean or not. could they have described more what they meant by "clean"? sure! but I'm 18 and I still always look into content warnings. there are soo many people who can be triggered by a sex scene or a violent scene because of past trauma, we don't know their story. let's all have some patience for peoples preferences, books are such a personal experience and if making sure the content is "clean" makes that experience more comfortable and enjoyable let's respect that. happy reading everyone! :)
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
I totally agree, Lara. At best, the author's reply was extremely unprofessional. But at least we get to see her true colors flying high, so we can decide for ourselves whether or not to give such an unappreciative person our money.
Hi Lara! If you're curious why I chose to answer this question lightly rather than seriously, I'm happy to explain--it's just a longer answer than I felt was actually helpful, since it's not actually the answer to her question. The idea of "clean" books and "dirty" books makes me extremely uncomfortable morally and artistically. First of all, I don't feel that I can define for anyone, much less a stranger, what makes something "clean." Some people object to sex and not to violence, others are polar opposites.
But mostly, I feel that the de facto labeling of books that do include, on some scale, any of these "questionable" topics as "dirty" is socially and morally irresponsible, particularly with younger readers in mind. By using the word "clean," the implication is that those books that don't fit into that vague and ever-changing category are somehow worth less, given our cultural fixation on the black and white line between virginal purity vs., well, anything else. There have been times in the not-so-recent past of the United States publishing market where books about an interracial couple, for example, or a homosexual couple, would've been labeled as filth in many markets. I'm sure you've heard references to Harry Potter, for example, being banned in some schools and libraries because the series is about witchcraft, and that goes against the county government's religious mores.
I think "clean" and "dirty," if you choose to view books that way, are labels that each reader decides for him or herself. I think that if certain topics bother you as a reader, and you don't want to read books that include them, it's perfectly fine to ask a friend or bookseller or librarian or anyone who's read it, really, about its content. (Note that asking if a book contains graphic sex, for example, is different than asking if a book is "clean.") My personal preference is usually to try the book, and then if I don't like it, or they cover certain topics in ways I feel aren't sensitive or realistic enough for my tastes, I simply stop reading it. However you choose to screen the books you read, it's your right to do so.
But I also reserve the right not to participate in the "clean" vs. "dirty" conversation, especially when it comes to my own work. Censorship is an extremely weighty issue for many writers, myself included, and it's not the issue the original asker meant to ask as far as I can tell. So rather than assume that the asker was thinking about any of the social and moral implications of the question, and launch into a lecture that might make her feel attacked, I chose to answer it lightly, knowing someone else would have the resources to provide whatever answers she was looking for. (Which, I would note, they did, in the next answer. Thanks, Regan!)
Finally, to anyone who might be leaving and deleting comments attacking me personally -- have a hug. We're all book lovers here. How we talk about books is as important as our choice of the books we read and write. Surely we can all feel like part of the same community, united by our love of words, even if we all don't have the same political or ethical views.
You're entitled to your opinion, but so are your readers. It's possible that the op was asking because they have a child who is interested in reading the book. Most parents define "clean" as behavior that is publicly acceptable in our modern-day society, and going any deeper than that is simply splitting hairs. I know that you understand this concept, so I stand by my statement that your soapbox response and rude sarcasm toward the op is bkth unprofessional and quite obnoxious. It isn't attacking you to tell you honestly and directly that your behavior is inappropriate at best.
Amen, Rebbie. Needless semantics. Good reason not to read this book xD
Oh my god, Emilyzzz, are you really going let her first answer (which I thought was pretty funny. I also liked the opinion she voiced in the second one) make you decide whether or not to read the book. How childish is that!
Funny, these two answers for me are a reason to actually pick up this book. The first shows Spooner has humour, the second that i like how she thinks and writes. Ordering the book today :)
I too thought it was a legitimate question, as I came here interested in gauging appropriateness for my 14 year old daughter. I understand the author's aversion to the term "clean", and that it's a matter of perspective, but she could have offered more insight rather than poke fun at the question without offering a constructive answer. I ask many authors this same question (in different terms) before purchasing their books for my daughter, if I can't find info on commonsensemedia.org.
So what is it? Clean or not so clean?
I agree with Marise - the author's response has made me far more interested in reading her work. I disagree that she was obliged to provide more insight - my response would be that if the person wants to vet their child's reading, the obvious way to do so would be to read it themself first. One person's view on what's ok for their child or even, as mentioned, 'in greater society' is always going to differ vastly.
"Oh my god." Natulcien, yes I think it's silly to take an innocent question like this so far. The first response was pretty amusing (if frustrating because we never actually got the answer), but then to come back with turning this into some kind of weird moral argument is off-putting. Also, thanks for calling me childish! Young at heart live longer :)
The author's response is really quite perfect considering this is a question that's rather impossible to answer. Everyone has their own definition of "clean" and the original ask did nothing to specify what sort of content they were worried about. If there's no graphic sex scenes but the Beast turns out to be female, does that still count as "clean"? If there's no sex but brutal, vicious, graphic violence will it still be acceptable for this OP? Or what if there's nothing graphic at all, but it's strongly implied that the Beast drugs and rapes Beauty? Is that still "clean"? If you want to know about the content of a book, ask about what specific type of content you're concerned about, don't use vague, meaningless buzzwords that don't actually convey what you're really asking.
Just adding a +1 that the author's response and follow up make me more likely to read this book.
+1 for the author's response. All these concepts of "clean" and "dirty" for referring to sex are simply ridiculous, it makes sex appear like something bad. If you are concerned about some types of contents just go and say it clearly. These euphemisms are absurd and wrong.
The author's answer is perfect, in my opinion! As a librarian, I get these questions often, and it's always one I feel uncomfortable answering. We always recommend that the parent read the book themselves if they're really concerned, because what one person will find acceptable, another will not, and the line is never clear. Had the author said it was, but there was hand-holding (something one parent has told me was not okay for her pre-teens!) because for most people, hand-holding is totally fine, it would have been the author blamed for the child's exposure to what the parent deems unclean, rather than the parent. And I agree that the idea that sex is inherently dirty is not okay, and if that's also the stance of the author, then I don't blame her for not wanting to participate in a conversation that perpetuates sex as a taboo subject (particularly for teenagers, who are totally doing it, or thinking about doing it).
All these twisted panties!—oh dear is that too graphic? Damn, some people need to lighten up
I rarely read YA but I'll read this one just because of the author's comments!
Oh my gosh! I loved this book and now I'm sure I love the author based on both of her answers. Ms. Spooner will you be my friend? I make some pretty mean chocolate chip cookies.
Personally, I find it a bit odd that so many parents are choosing books for their teenagers to read. My parents never once contacted authors about the content of their writing. If they ever purchased a book for me it was one I picked out and they simply paid for as a birthday or holiday present because they trusted me to pick what to read for my own self. I am not a parent. I am a month shy of twenty. But for the love of god, asking an author to label their own books as clean or dirty is just absurd. That's what community reviews are for, people!
I almost always want to know if a book is clean or not before reading it. And thanks to the wonderful people who ask these questions, I usually get my answer from here and it's quite helpful. Because normally if I know that a book is totally clean, I don't go for it xD And also, I don't think it's wrong that people differentiate between clean and unclean. It just makes things easier to categorize. And in no way does it make sex seem like a bad thing. 'Cause I usually go for the unclean ones. But again, for me it all depends on the intensity of the romance. Sex or no sex, as long as the romance is great and the magic is not lost.
This response makes me think the author is one of those people who sexualize underaged kids or inappropriately markets books as YA despite the content, even if that’s not the case with this book, I’d never know cause I’ll never read it.
I love your answer Meagan- both of them in fact.
I laughed so much with this answer HAHAHHAH
it's sad to me to see how many people get annoyed if someone asks if a book is clean or not. could they have described more what they meant by "clean"? sure! but I'm 18 and I still always look into content warnings. there are soo many people who can be triggered by a sex scene or a violent scene because of past trauma, we don't know their story. let's all have some patience for peoples preferences, books are such a personal experience and if making sure the content is "clean" makes that experience more comfortable and enjoyable let's respect that. happy reading everyone! :)
I was rather surprised to see a reply like this from the author and am not sure how I feel about.