So, we’ll start at the beginning –
Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner wrote a post in August that resonated with me – I Got The Message Loud & Clear: Reading Isn’t Cool. I’m sure at some point in every Book Geek’s life they’ve faced the odd looks, sniggers and maybe even bullying over the fact that they like love to read. Thankfully, the notion that reading isn’t cool seems to wear off as we get older, these days people practically admire the fact that I enjoy reading and studying (or maybe I’m just comfortable enough with my hobbies not to care what others’ think anymore).
Following on from this idea that reading in general isn’t cool, there has been a flurry of posts over the last few months (including The Reading Police Do Not Exist, Yes, I’m Reading A Romance, So? and Life’s Too Short For That) discussing “guilty pleasures”. Guilty pleasures are basically defined as:
- The books you wouldn’t want to be seen reading in public.
- The books you don’t want admit you love (or even own), and/or
- The books you hide away on your lowest shelves in the hopes no one else will ever find them.
People who don’t even read themselves will look down their nose at others for reading romances, erotica, YA and children’s books, to name just a few. But worst of all, fellow Book Geeks do it too! Can’t you just feel the judgement?
Where am I going with this?
Quite a while ago I discussed some of my favourite childhood books on this blog, and mentioned how annoyed I was at myself for giving away full sets of children’s and YA series when I hit my awkward teen years, because reading wasn’t cool anymore/I was sure I’d never want to read them again/I was far too old and mature for those stories now *delete as appropriate*.
It’s only when I got back into reading again a few years ago, and started blogging, that I realised I missed having these books in my collection (now that I actually have what you could call a collection), and I missed having the opportunity to read them. So, after much persuasion and encouragement from fellow bloggers, I tracked down a 15 book Roald Dahl set for £15. The collection included most of Dahl’s popular books, with Quentin Blake’s original illustrations (the best, in my opinion). The set was brand new, I got some discount off and free delivery. It was a steal.
A good friend came to my house last week (who also reads, but not at Book Geek level), spotted the set and said something (jokingly) along the lines of, “Are you being serious? It’s getting a bit out of hand now.” Shamefully, I told a bit of a porkie and said the set was for my Nephew for Christmas! I’m not usually the type to be phased by other people’s opinions, especially when it’s a friend, but for some reason the judgmental tone made me feel really embarrassed about my reading choices! Now though, I kind of feel bad for not growing a pair and proudly declaring them as mine, and I feel like I should buy my Nephew a set so it wasn’t technically a lie (if only he was a reader!).
Have you ever felt that you had to deny ownership of any beloved books? Have others ever made you question your reading choices? And do you keep your “guilty pleasures” hidden, or do you admit to them loud and proud?? Share your love for the weird and wonderful in the comments, and get liberated!!
Confessions of a Book Geek 
Are you so ashamed of what you’re reading you can’t handle actually writing a post about it? haha.
I’m assuming this was a scheduling error or something, but I’m looking forward to this post when you do write it 🙂
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Hahaha.
It’s live!!! Lol
I’ve been scheduling posts thinking I’ll have them done in time, and then something happens, I forget what time I scheduled them for, and before I know it they’re posts blank! Must stop doing that!! Lol R x
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Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead
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An author I hear about ALL THE TIME, and have yet to read!
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Heh. My guilty pleasure was/is the first two books in the Twilight series. I get judged all the time for that, but I usually (reluctantly) admit to it. Especially when someone is bashing the books. Now the movies? Awful. The last two books? Weird. *shrug*
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Twilight and “guilty pleasure” always go in the same sentence for some reason! Have to say they were the books that got me back into reading again in my late teens, and at the time I enjoyed them all. Must do a reread to see how I feel now. I think the movies didn’t do the books justice actually, except for the last one, I like the last one most. I used to hide my enjoyment of 50 Shades, but one say I just though F-It, and declare it all the time now!!! 😀
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Nope. I have never and will never care what other people think about my book obsession. I’ve been lucky enough to grow up with parents who have always supported me and my passions (and it doesn’t hurt that my dad is a huge bibliophile too). I get strange looks when I’m reading in public (but I also get them for different reasons), but I just ignore them. I love what I love and if other people don’t get it, that sucks for them. I don’t think you should be ashamed of what you like to read, Rachel. And that Roald Dahl set sounds freaking amazing.
I write all kinds of reviews on my blog – YA, children’s, comics, adult – and I’ve always just read what I liked. 🙂
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You go, girl!
Speaking of parents – mine were never really supportive or unsupportive, if that makes sense. My mum encouraged my reading when I was younger, but then discouraged it as I got older (“all you ever do is read…why don’t you go outside…head always stuck in a book…why do you spend money on books when you can go to the library?” etc.). My dad is pretty supportive of it in the sense that I think I get my addictive personality from him – we both have very different hobbies, but the same approach to them – all or nothing, and great excitement at parcels containing new additions to the collection. He “gets” my hobby, but he’s not much of a reader. He’d be non-fiction through and through, and very restricted in terms of genres.
Haha – I love that you love my Dahl! 🙂
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Oh God. Even after reading your wonderful post I’m ashamed to admit this, but here goes. I’m addicted to the Pretty Little Liars series. I’m going to go hide now 😦
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Shed the shame! And welcome to the dark side! I read book one yonks ago, and can’t remember why I didn’t keep going with it. Do you watch the show too? R x
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Reblogged this on By Hook Or By Book and commented:
This is a great post by confessions of a book geek, and I have a feeling it will resonate with a lot of people. I’m going to completely humiliate myself by admitting I’m addicted to the Pretty Little Liars series. I’m going to go hide now.
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Haha – thanks for the reblog – hopefully this will help set a lot of secret confessions free!!! #readerandproud 😀
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Highland romances. My best friend and I feed each other’s Highland addictions…
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I’ve never tried one! Are they an acquired taste?? At least you have someone to share your addiction with! 🙂
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I don’t hide my reading per se. I do try to read things that might be a bit suss on my Kindle though- I wouldn’t go about reading 120 Days of Sodom on public transport (or anywhere at all, for that matter…but you get the idea!) Or anything romance, erotic or whatever. I guess I’m a bit conscious of my image…. but it would be so awkward!
I got bullied badly through school for reading, so even now I kind of go on the defensive if someone questions my book collection or why I love it so much. I’m a bit short on space so many of my secret loves are packed away, but I don’t care what people think of my books in my own home!
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The dawn of all things digital and the invention of eReaders have definitely changed how and what we read. I remember an article (shame I can’t remember where I read it) that said a ridiculously high number of kindle owners wouldn’t claim it back if found, because of the content on it! For women it was mostly erotica or crime fiction, and for males it was because of the romance/chick-lit novels! The fact you can read without anyone knowing what you’re reading changes everything. Though as a book geek, when I see someone reading one I want to know what title it is!
I’ve also heard the phrase “If you want to know someone, check out their bookshelves” – I wonder what that would say about most of us! So I can see where you’re coming from with the image part. I think in public, if you aren’t reading literary fiction or classics, people automatically judge. Pft.
I was bullied for being a bit geeky, studious and a teacher’s pet – reading fell into that category somewhere too I’m sure. I used to be really defensive of it, but now I tend not to be – it’s so their loss, and my life choices have worked out quite well, thank you very much lol I don’t actually have a bookcase at the minute. Well, I have one small one that is full – I got it when I started uni, and at that time I didn’t have anywhere near as many books. Now I’m waiting on my dad building me two full size bookcases, so in the meantime all my books are stacked on the (unused) dining room table. It’s a sea of books, which scares me lol I hope they all fit on the shelves! I used to have no problem getting rid of books I didn’t love or wasn’t sure I’d reread, but I’ve become a little bit of a hoarder, and I need to stop it!
I love books in homes, I love nosying at the spines and seeing what interests people – I have to admit I’d be quick to judge a home with no books whatsoever! R x
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I was thinking about these kinds of posts just yesterday! Recently I have begun to realise (in all aspects of my life) that feeling guilty or ashamed about any of my hobbies just isn’t worth it. Is it hurting anybody? No. Does it make me happy? Yes. Therefore, no shame. I totally understand the wish that you would have stood up for yourself, but I also understand why you didn’t. Simply, sometimes it’s harder to be loud and proud with people we care for because we don’t want to start conflict.
Also, I am insanely jealous of that Roald Dahl set. It really is a steal!
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Great minds 🙂 I asked myself those questions in this post – https://confessionsofabookgeek.wordpress.com/2014/09/29/apparently-im-reading-too-much/ though recently, I am feeling like between work, freelancing, studying, blogging and reading I’m spending a lot of time either indoors, on a computer, or not socialising, as much as I used to/should. I think short-term that’s fine and partly circumstantial right now, but long-term I want to shake it up a little bit (cue this song stuck in my head – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfWlot6h_JM). Though that’s partly my single-dom talking!
I surprised myself, because I’m usually the loud and proud type (some people would argue to my detriment, but I tend to disagree). For some reason this one just caught me. I’m a 24 year old woman (I think, it still sounds foreign) reading Roald Dahl. I think I need to have a chat with myself, and remember that I’m the type who usually doesn’t and shouldn’t care about others’ opinions when it comes to my books 😉
Thanks! I was proud of that bargain! You can get it from a place that ships internationally with great prices, not sure what the shipping is though – http://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_home_tbp?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=100
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I used to be snotty over erotica, and still am because most of it is total shit. But then I caved in and read Black Dagger Brotherhood, and I liked it a lot. It has a back story, not just mindless banging, and it’s tastefully done, when there are sex scenes. So I got over it. I got so over it I bought some other free eroticas online, and then proved myself right not everything is a good book. So now I mostly check out recommendations from other bloggers.
I was never ashamed of my love for kids’ books. My family is still saying how I am too old for HP, but I just tell them to suck it. My cousin got into HP at 28 and is now crazy obsessed. It happens. Age does not spoil a good book! Which I keep telling them. IMO, MG books are often totally awesome and quite better than YA or NA. Which is why I am going to get me my fave childhood book series soon – Famous Five.
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Lol, don’t hold back there, Ula! I have to say I haven’t read a lot of erotica. I’ve read plenty of YA/NA/Adult fiction romance though, with sex scenes, but they aren’t classified as erotica, and I can see where you’re coming from. I love me some romance and swoons, but sometimes it can be awkward, cheesy or “off” when it gets to the sexy parts. I can see why authors say sex scenes are the hardest to write. Haha “mindless banging” – you are on FIRE! Do you sometimes wonder if the “free” part = lower quality? I know some books go on promotion and whatnot, but I do still question the quality of free reads overall. Which is so my next rant topic!
My family completely understand my addiction to HP, most likely because I grew up with it, and bang on about it A LOT. Even now. So I guess it’s just a part of me. I think too, because HP had adult covers, and attracted adults even when it was first out, it’s more accepted than other children’s or YA fiction for adults to read. I wholeheartedly encourage your purchase of Famous Five, it’s a series I’ve never read, but having just bought my Dahl set, I can promise it’s a good feeling 🙂 R x
http://www.theworks.co.uk/p/adventure-stories/the-famous-five-collection/9781444910582
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_odkw=&_ssn=nano-mini&_armrs=1&_osacat=0&_ipg=25&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.H0.Xfamous+five&_nkw=famous+five&_sacat=0 – I’ve bought from these guys before, no problems.
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I have felt like this too. I read all sorts of books covering many different genres and age groups. But I’m also a huge fan of romances. And I own a lot. And I keep them on a shelf in my closet, where no one can see them. And I hate that I do that, but I know I’m not going to move them.
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It’s nice knowing I’m not alone! I sometimes think that we book geeks “get it”, it’s usually non-book geeks we need to defend our choices to, or hide from. There aren’t many books that would have provoked that reaction from my friend, I think it was the targeted age range more than anything else. To be honest it could have been very steamy romance, and she’d not have batted an eyelid… and now that I think about it, I’m not sure how I feel about that! Lol R x
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I’m known by most of my friends as a ‘smut’ lover. I’ve gotten to the point in my life where I don’t really care what people think of me or what I’m reading. I used to think I had to keep it on the down low, but lately, especially with the fact that erotica has become so popular, I don’t hide it anymore. As long as a person is reading for enjoyment, that is all that matters. It shouldn’t matter WHAT they read, and other people shouldn’t criticize or judge, either.
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LOL! I think people overly criticise 50 Shades of Grey, and while there is validity in their arguments, it really was a time of awakening for that genre, and for women to be unafraid of reading it, and there’s something to be said for that. I have to say I would have been more judgemental when I was younger, I think it’s hard not to be, and you only shed it when you choose to actively think about why you’re judging someone (applies to both reading choices and life in general), but I think that so few read and get pleasure from it, that if reading can be encouraged through any means, then it should. There are lots of genres I personally “don’t get” but I love being able to ask someone else why they love it, to get their perspective, and usually see their eyes light up!! R x
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Luckily I outgrew being embarrassed by everything and now I don’t really care what people see me reading. (Since I don’t read romance, (personal choice not judging those who do) but some of those covers might embarrass me!) Well next time someone sees your books you’ll stick up for them. 😀 I’m sure they’ll forgive you. (The books not the friend)
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A good way to be! I think some of those romance covers would embarrass most people – subtlety isn’t their strong point! Definitely, I think I was a little caught off guard, with the question and the tone, and just jumped straight to the most logical explanation! Next time, I’ll be ready to fully embrace my weird and wonderful purchases! And hopefully, they will forgive me! Thanks for commenting! 🙂
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I hate it when people look down on others for what they like. I’m sorry does my taste hurt you? Nuh uh. Great post! 🙂
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LOL! Thanks for commenting 🙂
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I completely get what you’re saying and it’s terrible when you find yourself having to deny reading a book because you’re embarrassed about what others think. I think I always feel a bit embarrassed about reading Meg Cabot books, also NA books, those are the books I read, but tell no one I’m reading I think. And romance novels, any and all of them, I like to keep those on the dl.
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Meg Cabot is another author I loved when I was younger and got rid of the set from my collection – wouldn’t mind having that one again either! Romance gets a lot of bad press! I’m loving the NA genre though! R x
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[…] her family would make her feel bad for reading so much, and still do to this day. A post on ‘Confessions of a Book Geek’ described how a good friend of hers joked about her having a collection of Roald Dahl books, and […]
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