Malaysian Reads discussion
Discussion on Books
>
Do people judge the type of books you read?
date
newest »
newest »
Mod
Personally, I have not experienced discrimination based on my reading materials because I hang out with like-minded people online. In real life, that would be a whole different ball game. Fortunately people around me don’t read so I don’t discuss book with them. But if I do the reaction would be like this:
Because my preferred reading materials are not the kind everyone can stomach – the dark erotica stuff, like kidnapping, slavery, Stockholm syndrome, violent crime, questionable lifestyles, you name it, I’d read it without batting an eye lash.
If anyone to ask me why on earth would I read such things, the answer is simple: Because it’s not real life. My real life doesn’t involved such things (thank god!) and one way for me to experience it is by reading. And if they ask why would I want to experience such vile situations, the answer is because I need stimulus and I thrive on variety. Why limit your food to only rice just because it’s a staple diet when you have pasta, steak and noodles on the table?
Recently I came across something similar to this discussion on Facebook. An author I’m a fan of posted something that judge people’s reading taste. Then another author gave her an advice: “Don’t criticize what people read. Criticize what they don’t read.” Because when you limit your reading to only certain materials, you missed the point of reading.
Excellent topic by the way, Shy ;)
Mod
Great metaphor, warhawke; something that I totally agree with. I feel bad whenever I meet people that hesitate to reveal the types of books they read just because they are afraid of what others might think of them. Silly, right? But at the same time, I think I understand where such notion come from.
It is possible that some of these critics might be meaning well but the way they approach the subject sounds quite snobbish and harsh. Instead of deciding what others should or should not read, why don't they suggest a book, a genre that the said reader should try in the future (sans the condescending tone, of course)? Isn't that one of the positive manoeuvres towards the same direction?
Tastes will change and with that reading choices as well. So why not read anything that pique our interests while we still have our hearts in it?
warhawke wrote: "If anyone to ask me why on earth would I read such things, the answer is simple: Because it’s not real life.I like this reasoning. I don't understand people who immediately accuse you of condoning the themes or behaviours in what you read. Or think that by reading it, you will automagically become "like that". Are they implying that they are so easily "converted" when exposed to such material?
Yes, I've met someone who told me loudly that they only read non-fiction because they can learn something from it. It was the only time I felt rather judged and couldn't defend myself fast enough. This person is no longer a friend, as he had other undesirable qualities apart from how only his choices are the correct one.
The rest of the people I hang out with are mature enough understand that everyone has different tastes, although most of us do fall into the mob mentality of judging others.
I had zero interest in non-fiction because reality was not as exciting as teenage detectives, dinosaur parks, elegant vampires, unrealistic romances and college students getting sucked into a fantasy universe. It's escape. It helped me cope with real life.
I occasionally read non-fiction now, yes, to learn something.
I don't get into arguments over who is the better reader. There's books for everyone. No matter how much you think Twilight sucks, it still sold like crazy and got people reading. Making readers out of non-readers mean book stores survive and can sell me the books that I read.
There's not a YA author out there complaining that adults are reading their books. If there is, let me know who so I can stop buying their books.
I used to collect children's books. You know how you get parents to shell out RM60 for a book with pretty pictures and less than 100 words? You produce a work of art and let them tell themselves they are buying it for their kids. ;)
HAHA yes plenty........These are the most common words uttred by the mouth of a person who barely reads any book and by those who only read "latest and in the now" books because everyone else is talking about it ....
1) Oh my god you are reading kids book? Like dude read books for your age range (says the one who is holding twilight book)
2) I went to a warehouse sale and i found all the books are outdated and not the latest. I only read the latest books (says the one that don't know anything besides the book recommendation she/he saw in cleo or 17 mag)
3) Omg comics and manga(s) are not books. You want to make a book count you should read real books (Not sure how they got the definition of "real" books)
4) I think only non fiction books or text books what adult should read... (says the one who read last novel back in high school for English class)
5) Book readers are boring and its not a hobby....who reads books in their past time anyway.....
6) You read adult erotica books because you need a boyfriend right? I mean its nothing like the books (I'm speechless really !)
7) Omg you're a bookworm ? OMG so am I!!! (says the one who only recently finished a 2 month long reading 50 shades of grey).....
I generally careless about what people read.....as long as it encourages reading. Reading should be natural you cannot force yourself to read books just because other people says it shouldn't be it.
Honestly I saw a kid reading skulduggery pleasant in KTM train the other day. I've read my fair share of the series and I know the kid is gonna enjoy reading it. I gave her a huge (maybe slightly creepy) smile before I got off.
It's really weird when someone (especially who you just know or don't know) critic my reading sense.Most of them will make an akward face and said : "You read this kind of book? Why?"
They can't simply said that because different person had different interest. They had different sense of style. Different ways of thinking and they shouldn't judge because of what we are interest with.
And beside is a bad manner anyway. By critic and make a bad judgement about what favourite books we had read which is not they interest might hurt our feelings.
Which I had been through a lot.
Mod
Hahaha! I would probably do the same if I see anyone read my favorite books!
warhawke wrote: "Deviki wrote: "Honestly I saw a kid reading skulduggery pleasant in KTM train the other day. I've read my fair share of the series and I know the kid is gonna enjoy reading it. I gave her a huge (m..."ditto!
I am kind of judgemental of those who stick to just a couple of genres.I'm a big believer that people should be well-rounded when it comes to their readings. So, I never judge "train readers"; but I do find perspectives shift after I've viewed a person's bookshelf.
That being said, the only book collectors I'd seen who *don't* have a varied collection of genres tended to be anime readers (my cousins). So... yeah, sorry to say that I have a skewed perspective of anime readers.
Mod
You should try and read everything. Expand your imagination by learning new things and reading new genres. It helps you to adapt to this challenging world later!
hah.nobody around me read a book.....and they dont take interest in what i read~
I'm pretty sure I read some Marquis de Sade in the train. It didn't attract any stares (perhaps because people here are to innocent to even recognise the name?). I wouldn't judge someone on what they read but I'll do nearly all I can to see the title if I see someone reading in the train.In general, my reading goes through phases. Sometimes more fiction, sometimes history/biography etc.
Henk wrote: "I'm pretty sure I read some Marquis de Sade in the train. It didn't attract any stares (perhaps because people here are to innocent to even recognise the name?). I wouldn't judge someone on what th..."...i'll do nearly all i can to see the title if i see someone reading in the train ~ yes, i totally can relate to this.
Henk wrote: "I'm pretty sure I read some Marquis de Sade in the train. It didn't attract any stares (perhaps because people here are to innocent to even recognise the name?). I wouldn't judge someone on what th..."Ah, I'm sure it's the 120 Days of Sodom, is it not? Where did you find this book? I'm sure it's banned almost everywhere. Plus people didn't even give a damn when I was reading Lolita on the train haha
And to answer this thread, I try not to judge. Just let people enjoy do what they do, as long as they don't harm anyone.
Wayne wrote: "Henk wrote: "I'm pretty sure I read some Marquis de Sade in the train. It didn't attract any stares (perhaps because people here are to innocent to even recognise the name?). I wouldn't judge someo..."Nope, I think 120 days ... is about the only book by him I haven't read yet. Not easy to come by.
Some people love to judge other people. I can’t see the need to judge people. They have the urgency to compare themselves with others while maintaining that they are better. Something is not quite right there. Fiction and nonfiction are genre of books but two different things, like you are comparing apple and orange. Although both are fruits and having a round shape, they are not even the same.Some people prefer to read fiction or nonfiction because they like it. Ever heard about PREFERENCE? Your preference doesn’t mean you read the best book in this world and people should ditch their currently read books follow you. You’re not Oprah. What if Oprah recommended a book to read? You follow her? Yes and no. Yes, you adored her and no, you don’t really like the book-not your taste. It’s just a recommendation, not a must. If you go to the bookstore and there is Must Read Section, will you buy it instantly? I don’t think so because you have PREFERANCE. You read what you want.
Some people said fiction is for the soul and nonfiction is for the mind and that’s perfectly fine. I am a nonfiction reader for most of the time. I prefer facts more but from time to time I read fiction too. In fact, after watching a good movie, I’ll look up online whether that movie was adapted from a book which I believe 90% is fictional. So, only by reading nonfiction then you’ll learn something? You get nothing from fiction? Seriously zero or nothing at all? I object! We don’t need label here or anywhere at all. That’s the last thing we need, if ever.
Being a reader should make us understand better. But clearly you don’t read a good book. The book you read doesn’t make you better. So, I can say that what you read now is a piece of crap! How’s that for a change?
People nowadays should understand what kind of readers it is,some of them do like fiction,unfiction,action,romance,motivation,poems,quotes and such of that.We as a society should be an open minded and think possitive before judging,yay i give an example what people often said "this book is nothing,you didnt get any profit and benefit either you read or not,you just wasting your money and time by read it".that's what always we heard from our own society.Absolutely,truly heart breaking and frustating because of that action and talk and their vision about us as a readers.People should know that reading is something passionate,soothing and regain our spirit.Simlpy example todays,there are lot of links that our society love and eagerly to share is about love.right?Maybe i can eloborate that our currently issues and hot topics could be "love after marriage" or "unconditional love" and so on.
Do you know that all those links pushing the teenaage to share and share.I am totally believe that's teeangers,they do love these kind of links,its make them feel to read and wanted to read again..But,do our society take that as a parts negative."Negativity"..No!
Why?because they know that there must be something good and benefiacial to others.I mean the author eloborations,motivations and quotes give a lot of chnges and posstive vibes to our teenage.
So here,we could end up that reading is a knowledge "thaqafah",even just a little piece of word.
"smile and dont lose hope"
.What our reaction by reading that quotes?Someone may answer that it gives them spirit,or based on their kindly own feeling.We as a society have to be more wisdom,optimist and open minded about readers because of them we know that something we dont know,we understand what the misunderstood.
Readers,they read,they share and we gain information.We should thanked them and not questioning what kind of genre you read?..✍❤💞
Have you ever meet this type of people online or in real life?
How do you deal with them?
Do you think there is some truth in what they are saying?