Now that 2018 is well and truly upon us, I think there are some habits we should bury.
I brought a nice shovel!!
Hopefully by this point you have said 2018 at least once instead of 2017. Or! Like me you’ve skipped forward to typing 3018 which is exciting but there are not enough spaceships around. Anyway. A big part of a new year rolling in is everyone pretending to give up sugar for 3 hours and valiantly stating the phrase “New year, new me!” (I’m only a fan of that phrase if it means you’re turning into a dragon.)
But! As a bookworm, book blogger, and book screamer, * I think there are definitely some things we could all leave behind in 2017. Ditch ’em like that body you’ve been keeping in your freezer. TIME TO BURY THE BAD!
This also 100% works because I have seen the 1995 version of Jumunji and if you bury the evil boardgame nothing goes wrong afterwards. **
* My new word for when a bookworm looks at their TBR and briefly contemplates their mortality.
** LMAO BUT WE CAN TRY.
Today I’m going to list 10 things I think we bookworms and book bloggers should stop doing this year!
I have a shovel! It is a good shovel and I have never buried anything unsavoury with it before! This seems honest!
1. FEELING GUILTY FOR HOW MUCH OR HOW LITTLE WE READ.
I see people saying “Oh I’m not a real bookworm, I barely read 20 books a year.” And I’m like????? I’m sorry, did we have to apply to become a bookworm? Fill out a list of criteria? Submit moon rocks we gathered at the equinox? Bake the correct kind of cake?
WHAT THE HECK, MATE, A BOOKWORM IS SOMEONE WHO LIKES BOOKS. The end. There isn’t a number you have to reach to be a “true” bookworm.
And this goes both ways because people are always hassling me about how much I read. Did I really read it? Did I even comprehend it? HUH, HUH, CAIT? I’ve been told I read 200 books a year for the attention and to be a “wannabe”. The later is only true if it means I “wannabe a bookshelf”. Because yes.
So read 2 books a year. Read 20. Read 200. Listen up!
No guilt or shame from now on!
2. CRITIQUING #OWNVOICES AUTHORS PORTRAYAL OF THEIR OWN CULTURE.
This happens on twitter a lot and it’s so bizarre. Why don’t we just walk up to a chef who literally sets a bowl of food they’ve cooked before you and say, “BUT DO YOU REALLY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT COOKING??”
Yes the food metaphors are strong today. They rise like glorious bread dough and I cannot stop them.
One you might have seen is about Sandhya Menon, author of When Dimple Met Rishi and the upcoming From Twinkle With Love…and little internet trolls appear to tell this #ownvoices Indian author that her character names aren’t Indian but silly and made up. Wow. What if these people just s t o p. *
No more critiquing cultures you’re not part of to someone who is part of them!
* Interesting that these people don’t stomp on Four from Divergent + Mare from Red Queen + Blue from The Raven Cycle + Finch from All The Bright Places.
3. ACTING LIKE AUTHORS WHO WANT TO GET PAID ARE TERRIBLE BUCKETS.
Look the only terrible bucket are those horrible castle shaped ones that fool you into think you can make a true sandcastle at the beach but they never NEVER come out of the bucket right!! 99% of my childhood distrust springs from this.
Also authoring is a business. It is a career. It is VERY hard to support yourself with it so heckin’ GO (!!!) to the authors who can or try.
Enough thinking art isn’t worth time or money. It IS and you, smol artist, are also worth it.
4. NO MORE TELLING ANYONE TO “REREAD A BOOK YOU HATED SO YOU GET THE RIGHT OPINION.”
This one basically makes me laugh. If I hated a book, why the heck would I reread it?! What is that going to achieve?! If I had a dollar for every time someone on Goodreads told me this, I could afford to buy half of the Dead Sea.
I’m not sure what I would do with it. Probably just canoe in a very dark cape because DEAD SEA.
5. NO MORE ASSUMING THAT ONE MINORITY EXPERIENCE IS EVERYONE IN THAT MINORITIES EXPERIENCE.
I did have to pull myself up about this one too! I have social anxiety, as you might know, and sometimes I read books with HORRIBLE social anxiety rep. Other times…the rep is just not right for me. Doesn’t make it bad! Or wrong! In fact, other people with social anxiety might really really feel connected to that book.
So take a breath. Take a minute. Analyse if it’s problematic or just not relatable to you!
This goes for any minority experience, okay. Let’s eat an ice cube * before assuming that everyone with autism or an amputee or who has bipolar or who’s on the lgbtqia+ spectrum or who’s black will have the SAME life experience. Because no.
* This is me trying to say “CHILL OUT” creatively because for some reason I’m thinking about Antartica a lot today and I want to make an igloo and name a penguin Paul.
6. NO MORE JUDGING ADULTS FOR READING YA.
This comes so up so much!! I talk about it so much!! I’m very passionate about it because I see adults being told they don’t belong in a YA book community because it’s for teens. Actually YA is for readers. Its first priority is teens, for sure!! Teen voices are important. Teen voices should be heard. But YA is for DRAGON SPAWN.
Um, wait.
I mean: YA is for anyone who wants to read it.
Can we stop all this censorship!??
7. NO JUDGING PEOPLE WHO BUY TONS OF BOOKS.
Yes it’s a lucky privilege to be able to afford books, but instead of assuming someone is rich or selfish can we consider:
- it’s actually none of your business if someone else is buying lots of books (!!)
- so you can’t afford it (THAT’S OKAY!!) but look! these people are buying the books and showing the publishers they want more like that! There is literally no downside to someone else buy tons of books!! they buy books = publishers pick up more authors.
- lots of people budget their money differently. I, for one, have been wearing the same jacket for 11 years.
- (It’s a nice jacket okay. Lots of colours. Also I don’t grow.)
- you went out for dinner = that person bought a book
- see?!
- try to adjust perspectives if seeing someone with a big library makes you angry
8. TIME TO BURY THOSE SKELETONS IN YOUR WARDROBE AS WELL!
I mean, only if you’re cleaning the closet. It’s 2018! New year! New clean wardrobe! Brush out those bones and get ’em buried in the back yard, probably at night by the light of the blood moon and wear good shoes and don’t wreck the rhododendron bush. *
Wow you come to Paper Fury for such good life advice. Self five.
* I just want to put it out there that the same person who wrote the word “rhododendron” also probably wrote fantasy and keyboard smashed all their names. And yes I realise it’s like an ancient Greek word but DON’T SPOIL MY BACKSTORY HERE.
9. NO MORE AUTHORS GETTING INVOLVED IN BOOK BLOGGER’S REVIEWS.
As someone who is LITERALLY watching their ARCs make it into the wild (holy heck hold me I’m freaking out), I totally get why this happens. I also wish it wouldn’t! And there are a lot of bloggers out there who still think authors should “learn from their critiques in their reviews”…ah ahhaah haha no. Do not think that way.
Reviews = readers.
Authors = dark cottages in the witching woods.
Everyone needs to stay out of each other’s spaces. I’ve already heard of several authors harassing book bloggers this year (IT’S BEEN LIKE 2 WEEKS, PEOPLE). I truly get the pain of having your book misinterpreted, but it doesn’t MATTER!!! Let people think how they think. Authors should just go write another book and book bloggers should just go write another review.
Occasionally glitter should be thrown and Mad Hatters tea parties should be had and 12 croissants should be put in pockets.
But otherwise. No.
10. TIME TO BURY THE IDEA THAT I’M TERRIFYING AND HAVE POINTY TEETH AND WILL BITE YOU.
Look I do NOT bite! Except on Tuesday afternoons and like, maybe, between 11:30am and 12:00pm on weekdays because I get very hungry and lunch never comes soon enough.
I’m not scary, my little mortals. * I know I might seem a little intimidating. I know I have a big blog and have a book coming out and those are intimidating things and then top it off I’m also 5’1 tall!! I’m terrifying!! No one asked for this!!
But hear me out: I’m a dork who likes books and gets anxious and makes sandwiches backwards sometimes and can’t pronounce the word “gnat”. ** So come talk to me! Ask me questions! I promise I won’t bite and I blog to chat with you so here we are together. Isn’t this nice.
* Probably calling you “mortals” doesn’t help me trying to be less-scary-and-more-relatable here but I GET STICKERS FOR TRYING.
** I don’t like that the G is silent. That seems unfair. I say it with the G.
#DORK
Yes, yes, yes, I agree with everything in this post! I especially think it’s important to not be ashamed of how much or how little you read. Last year, I didn’t read much fiction because I was so focused on writing. But in saying that, I also branched out with some non-fiction books for research last year, which was amazing! I’d love to keep that up this year. And omg, all the author-reviewer stuff happening is just awful. It’s not our place — at all — to get involved. Criticism is always hard to swallow. But that’s the industry. Our books will never be liked by EVERYONE == that’s just a fact. People like different things, and that’s awesome & should totally be embraced! 🙂
P.S. YOUR ARCS LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL OMGGGGGGGG! I adore butterflies. <3
That is so so amazing you got into non-fic too!! (Something I actually want to do a bit to get more knowledge for writing haha). But the struggle of feeling guilty/ashamed is real. And so not what we should do. *nods*
And I can’t even believe the level of author harassment that’s gone on this year?! It seems particularly wild. 😳😳 It’s absolutely crazy to expect everyone to love the same books and I KNOW it’d be hard to see your book misinterpreted, but move on!! We can’t change people’s minds and we shouldn’t want to. 😂😂
PS. YOU’RE MAKING ME BLUSH AHHH THANK YOU KARA!!! <3 <3
I totally agree with all of these! The ones I’ve personally experienced most though is the feeling guilty about not reading enough and people telling me I shouldn’t be reading YA. I read 59 books last year (so I did beat my Goodreads target of 40), but then loads of my Goodreads friends had read over 100, and 200, and I started to question my bookworm status, which is ridiculous. It isn’t a competition, and I think as long as you’re reading books at whatever pace you’re comfortable with, then you get to call yourself a bookworm!
And as far as the YA thing goes, I think everyone should just read what they want and other people should keep out of it. It’s kind of similar to the way some people who exclusively read literary fiction and classics (I met a lot of people like that at university) react when you say you read genre fiction like fantasy, and I just can’t stand book snobbery of any kind.
Great post! Hopefully we can leave all these things behind in 2017 🙂
I totally understand! I feel GUILTY for reading so many books…like maybe I’m bragging or being annoying or something!? I often won’t even tell people how much I’ve read because I hate the chance I’ll make someone feel bad.😭😭 I just wish we could all read what makes us happy and what we CAN and agree that bookworm “status” shouldn’t exist, right?!
Absolutely. NO SNOBBERY! If we want to read classics or comics = go for it. 🎉🎉
I’m curious how one makes a sandwich backwards? Do you dissemble the sandwiches and then eat it? I don’t know. I’m confused.
It’s sad that authors feel the need to harass book bloggers. Not everyone is going to like your book, and that’s just something I think we all have to live with. The fact of the matter is that we don’t all have the same opinions (and as my mother would say in her wisdom, the world would be very boring if we did).
I’m 1000% sure that not saying silent letters is some kind of discrimination, especially against g and k. We should all say “g-nat”.
Also, nice socks.
Honestly I’m just THAT clever. It’s an actual talent and I should be proud and not totally dismayed.
Wouldn’t it be WEIRD if we all had the same opinions?! I mean, I’m a writer, so I KNOW it’s going to be hard to see my book getting 1-starred and stuff…but I’m absolutely determined not to take it personally. We all have different thoughts and reactions and tastes.
I’m really glad you agree with me about the silent G’s!! I may or not pronounce it in lasagna too.
1. All of the yes, why do people judge others on how much they read? I just hope people enjoy reading, whether it’s 1 book, 500 books or anywhere in between. Reading at all = 😀
2. Omg yes, people that aren’t from a certain culture thinking they know what it’s like better than someone who is from said culture…I don’t get it.
3. Yes, art is hard work! Authors deserve to be paid for their work.
4. Why would I reread a book I hated? I want to reread some books…books that I enjoyed.
5. OMG YES! Sorry for the yelling but i’ve heard people slam certain rep in a book saying it was bad rep…when it fit my experience perfectly and I really needed it. All I could think was “I’m sorry it wasn’t your story and I understand that sucks but…it was mine…can’t we all have our stories?”
6. Yes! I have nothing to add, just so much yes.
7. Yessss. Sorry I just didn’t want to forget to anything so i’m writing this as i’m reading and I don’t want to leave any # out because it might feel bad.
8. Yes *buries all the skeletons* *smiles innocently*
9. Yes. I write reviews for myself mostly because I have a horrible memory as well as reviews are for readers. I understand a bad review can hurt, but at the same time that’s part of the writing business. It’s like saying people reviewing a business on yelp or something shouldn’t be allowed to say their honest opinon, how is that helpful to anyone? I also understand temptation but maybe try not looking at bad reviews if it’s upsetting?
10. *runs away in terror* lol just kidding! 🙂
I love your posts 🙂 Here’s hoping for a wonderful 2018
Yes exactly right?! We should totally just read and enjoy ourselves! I know I put a lot of pressure on myself to read a lot but I really want to stop doing that (also stop feeling guilty for reading😂) ART IS VERY HARD AND AUTHORS ARE GREAT AND WE LOVE THEM!! (We just probably shouldn’t all interact to discuss their work with them if it’s negative hhahaaha. Ahem.)
It’s really really awful when people think 1 minority experience = everyone’s. Just like let people live?! We’re all different.😂 Which is the POINT of diversity.
good job for burying your skeletons though. I’m sure you did that nicely.
*lures you back with cake*
Ooh cake! *runs back* 😀
I really don’t get authors getting into it with reviewers. Once you release something, it’s open to all kinds of interpretation because diversity. Different perspectives.
And yah, I don’t get harassing the #ownvoices authors either. I guess I just don’t get why people have to be so nasty to strangers in the first place, or to anyone, really…. Ugh.
Anyway, you got me to smile again 😄 Your posts make my day.
I know right?! It makes no sense and it benefits NO ONE. It just makes the author seem really immature and clueless about how opinions work!! (And honestly it’d just be nice if we all chilled out about books a bit too.😂)
BUT I’M GLAD THIS MADE YOU SMILE!
You have all the good points here, Cait! I think the #ownvoices and the authors staying away from their negative reviews resonated the most with me.
If all minority experiences were the same, they kind of wouldn’t be minority experiences anymore, would they?
And really, names of characters? That’s become a thing to criticize now? *sighs*
And you definitely don’t scare me! ❤️😍
Absolutely! And it always boggles me when people assume minority people/readers all have to connect…they don’t and won’t. 😂😂
*sends you all the cake* I’M GLAD I’M NOT TOO SCARY!
Loved this article and agree with it!
Aww thank you!!
I agree! I especially like the part about no one complaining about names like Mare, Blue, and Finch. Just because the characters are white?!
EXACTLY. I’ve literally never heard anyone say anything against “Blue” and yet “Dimple” is apparently weird? Smh. People need to not.
I love this, this post is so perfect and accurate!
Aww thank you!! I’m so glad!
wait, how do you make a sandwich backwards?
and I used to have a stack of bodies in my closet before I gave them to my sibs for christmas, (i covered them in felt first, they’ll never know) but anything else dead in the closet are all my sisters old clothes that she’s outgrown AND WON’T GET RID OF SHE’S TAKING UP MORE THAN HER SHARE OF CLOSET I IS DISTRESSED I’M GOING TO VIOLENTLY EAT SOMETHING AND IT’S PROBABLY GOING TO BE HER.
I also stayed up late last night finishing a book by candlelight, wow.
(it was an electric candle though)
Most crazily, ~Olive, a smol purple dragon
DEFINITELY VIOLENTLY EAT YOUR SISTER AND THEN LET ME KNOW HOW IT GOES BECAUSE I WANT TO VIOLENTLY EAT MINE. She keeps stealing all the chocolate in the house?? Like what did I do to have to put up with this?? (In unrelated news: if you want another sister I can sell you one😂)
scratchy. I forgot to start from the head first, so she clawed me. it hurt. did i mention that she’s a tiger? it was so scratchy and uncomfortable, i spit her out. oh well. so i hired mom’s help and she’s going to make her clean out the closet soon, so thats one problem out. XD (you shouldn’t have the scratchy problem, as long as she’s not a tiger. 😛 ) ohhhhhhhhh that is so evil. definitely eat her. (I’ll pass, I already have four. XD )
Most crazily, ~Olive
I SO SO AGREE WITH EVERYTHING BUT I WAS REALLY HIT BY THAT FIRST ONE. i read about 30 books or more last year. I didn’t doubt my bookworm status at all because for me, the books I’ve read are already a lot considering that I have school and all. But I must admit I was a bit disappointed. I blame my attitude of overachieving so I’d like to leave that attitude too because IT IS DEFINITELY NOT HEALTHY. I think I would also like to leave that feeling of insecurity of not having read books that most people have read (is that confusing? maybe it is hoho). I mean, I get discouraged to read popular books because I think I’m the only one who hasn’t read them so it’s better not to read them at all (ridiculous, i know). So yeah. I need to start digging up to get rid of those skeletons in my closet too (there are quite a lot so lemme borrow your shovel).
MAJOR EXAMINATIONS ARE COMING UP SO PRAY FOR ME. GOOD LUCK ON YOUR BOOK RELEASE AND BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY 😀
I’M REALLY GLAD YOU LIKED IT!! And honestly I’m yelling at myself for the #1 point too because I always read 200 books and it’s STRESSING ME OUT. I don’t have enough time and I feel this huge precious to overachieve and like..why Cait?! I need to chill out for sure.😂 We don’t have to be the fastest or biggest reader ever. We should do what we can and hopefully enjoy the books we pick! Les unhealthy feels of failure, I think. *nods*
GOOD LUCK FOR THE EXAMS. I’M SENDING YOU VIRTUAL CAKE AND GOOD VIBES.
THANK YOU I REALLY NEED THE CAKE 😘
I love these! The buying a lot of books one reminds me so much of this awesome Sarah Andersen comic — for some reason my husband thinks it describes me pretty well LOL
And I totally am wearing the same coat for years and years — I forget how long exactly, but I’ve liked moved, changed jobs, bought a house, had a kid…still wearing the same coat LOL
Ahhh I messed up the link for the comic! It should be https://m.tapas.io/episode/277406 — sorry!
omg I LOVE that comic!! (I also love that artist she’s so freaking funny and relatable😂). And *hi fives* for our clothing durability.😂 More money for books, right?!
Very good points!
Thanks so much, Lauren!
I truly believe anybody of any age can read YA, just like we all read the books of our chilhood to remember what we learned from it and what we didn’t understand… I feel like I should bury a lot of things of 2017 tbh and so I am thankful that my grandfather has a shovel, we could bury it together! Except that we’re in different continents, life is not fair at all (though I wish to travel to Australia and take a lot of pictures and eat tons of cookies). And the cover is so precious I WANT YOUR BOOK IN MY SHELVES NOW. Yes, it might seem kinda intimidating, including that, if my math is correct, I’m ten years younger (I turned 14 in December, I’m so young and I feel so old), but the good thing’s that you share cake to everybody and I LOVE YOUR BLOG. You’ve already proven to the world you’re awesome, while I still got a lot of work to do so yeah, we’re mortals so we must live our lives.
We can have a BURYING PARTY!! I will bring sandwiches and you bring the shovel and afterwards we can have a picnic #SolidLifePlan 😂 I’m sure being on different continents won’t be a problem here.
And also I reeeally hope I’m not to intimidating! I mean, except for being old (holy heck why am I so old 😭😭 I mean, 24. BUT STILL.) And I will absolutely continue to share cake and support everyone’s blogs and chat and just!?? I want to be friends with everyone, not a scary blogger!!
AWESOME, I love sandwiches! We do know how to live life, right?
BTW, I have been planning to make a blog of my own, but I’m not sure how, and when, and what am I going to say and I’m afraid to die, but it’s still just a thought, though. And YAY no scary blogguer, LOL. You’re gorgeous, Cait!
Old? She’s 14 and thinks she can’t be awesome at that age. Well, if she’s reading books and sharing them, then she’s awesome at any age! You’re 24 and you don’t scare me one bit! How DO you make a sandwich backwards? I’m 60 and I’ve been reading and sharing books all my life. That makes me awesome, too! And I do still read some YA books. It’s not the age, it’s the book. Some of them appeal to me and some of them don’t. It still read some children’s books. They’re fun to read! I read romance and cozies, too. But I don’t do horror. And I prefer not to read novellas, though I have a few authors I do specially. It’s just another genre. No one asked for my ID to see if I was too old to read them. I read what I want.
When it comes to a book review, I typically say what I want. If the book is that bad, I don’t finish it and it’s called DNF-DNR (did not finish-did not review) and I leave it to someone else to deal with. I send a polite email to the author who requested the review explaining why I couldn’t. Other low rating reviews that I actually write why I didn’t like the book, I itemize what I feel was off about the book and always explain that it is my opinion only and that any other reader may feel differently about it. And I always publish my reviews. Not to is to skew the ratings. My opinion counts. My review is MY OPINION. Any author who gets rude about that doesn’t get a second chance.
I have a new coat and a tablet full of books. I’m older and have more disposable income. I consider myself very lucky. I lend when asked. I set my reading goal each year based on what I read the year before and I read enough to post on my blog Monday through Friday. Sometimes I read a little more or less. That’s not a brag, it’s what my blog requires based on how I set it up. I’m very pleased with my blog and try very hard to keep up. There are times I fall behind. But I don’t work or have young children. My blog is what I do. For people with a few or a lot of interests in their lives, reading sometimes has to fit in between other things and there isn’t time for 200 books a year, or even 20 books a year. Is it written somewhere that to be a bookworm you have to read large quantities of books or is it the enjoyment you get from the books you read that makes you a bookworm? And who is the judge? I say I am a bookworm and that’s what makes me a bookworm. So, I hope you enjoy the cake, but excuse me, I have a book I want to enjoy…
Judi at the Blue Cat Review
YESSSSS to everything in this post! Because all of these are serious issues that you’d think would be common sense not to do .. and yet. Like authors coming in to “explain” things to book bloggers?? Like no, thanks?? And the whole thing with Sandhya were people were educating her on her own culture? And shaming people if they read too little/much! (This post is so spot on oh my goodness.)
OH. And Cait I’ve seen your ARCs and that quote on the back is soooo perfect AND I HAVE A MIGHTY NEED. 😍
*runs off to preorder A Thousand Perfect Notes*
Great post, as usual. 😊
I know right?! It’s like everyone has just lost their common sense AND IT’S SO BIZARRE!! Also once your book is out in the world: it’s out. People are going to hate it and misinterpret it but just let them go…it really doesn’t matter and confronting them is NOT going to change their opinion. (Also I have no idea how delusional a person can be to be trying to tell someone hOW THEIR OWN CULTURE WORKS?! Like the people trolling Sandhya weren’t even Indian!!)
THANK YOU, NINA, I’M SO EXCITED/FREAKED OUT ABOUT MY BOOK. I’m 100% never going to be a trolling author though. I promise.😂😂
Whenever a book has representation in it, I see some people praising it as accurate and other people absolutely vilifying the writer for it. A lot of the time the writer is being dragged because the character isn’t perfect (you know, like an actual real life human).
The idea that books should ONLY be read by people of certain ages is ridiculous. Next they’ll be saying that we can’t like anything animated…oh wait.
Judging people for buying books is ridiculous. And if this is people making assumptions from photos, those books could be library books or borrowed rather than bought anyway.
Ugh the amount of times I see people hating a book and saying “This character makes dumb decisions” and I’m like…lmao if they didn’t we wouldn’t have a story?! I know some books are going to be annoying and not work for us, but the fact is: not liking a book usually doesn’t equal it being the spawn of satan.
I saw that Dimple/Twinkle thing on Twitter, and it made me *facepalm.* Like, really? Trust that authors know what they are doing! Also, it freaks me out when authors comment on my reviews of their books. All of the authors have been very nice, though, so that’s good. Still, my reviews are not for them.
I know right?! Like it wasn’t even an Indian girl criticising the author! It’s just weird how people think they’ll know the ins and outs of a culture that’s not even theirs…like how on earth do you even get to thinking like that?! *facepalm*
I agree about both the ownvoices things! Like, it’s great that you want good representation. Like I really is. But minorities don’t all fit under one umbrella. I, personally, did not feel like It’s Not Like It’s A Secret has good wlw rep. But will I go after the author for writing it? No. Will I go after other reads who ARE wlw and liked the book? No. There’s this Call-Out Culture that’s happening right now, and while it does lead to some really great things, there are people who take it a little too far.
And the whole authors going after book reviewers for negative reviews right now is CRAZY. Did you see the petition that’s going around that is most likely that author that went after your friend? Like, dude. No. Pull a Suzanne Collins and never be in social media if you need to but DON’T GO AFTER BLOGGERS.
The Call-Out Culture is frankly terrifying and I have an anxiety meltdown about it basically bi-weekly. Which is terrible. I also wish there was more of an idea that authors don’t MEAN to be offensive and maybe talk to them?! I feel like a lot of people go straight to trashing others (even blogger on blogger to) when it’d be great if we had more space to educate?! I get that some people refuse to be educated or ARE intensely offensive and proud of it (*cough Michael Grant cough*)…but a lot of authors want to do better.
Ohhh god I saw that petition. It’s INSANE. Jeann is putting up with so much crap. (I think they discovered it’s the same author who’s been attacking her.) If an author can’t handle feedback, DON’T LOOK AT IT!! Easy. Controlling what everyone thinks of your book is absolutely delusional. *sighs*
Cait, even if you don’t have pointy teeth, I’m a bit scared of the paper cuts I can get from you ( since you’re slowly turning into a bookshelf). So, I’m still a bit scared! 😋
And you are so right with every point! The reactions I get when people ask me how many books I read are hilarious 😆
Great post! 😊
Actually this is true, I forgot about the papercut aspect. Okay back to the drawing board: EVERYONE BE SCARED OF ME I’M GOING TO BE A BOOKSHELF WHEN I GROW UP.
😂😂
There was a time when I could read 200 books a year… and then I had children. Hahaha. But I get it – some people don’t watch TV or ride their bikes or do things that aren’t reading.
Also, many years ago, my husband lost his job and suddenly I had no money for books. That’s when I discovered this beautiful thing called Overdrive via the local library. I could borrow books for my Kindle! In my pajamas at 3 AM! And I’ve never looked back. Even though I can afford to buy books now (and sometimes I still do), I more often than not support the library that supports out community. It works out well in so many ways.
People really just need to get over themselves, I think. 😀
Absolutely! There was one year I read 300 books and now Im’ like hOW COULD THAT EVEN HAPPEN.😂 I’m already flat out this year because of work and I haven’t read nearly as much as I usually would?! But I need to not stress about it. Reading is reading…no matter how much.
(Also Overdrive is AMAZING although you still have to be in a good area to be able to use it.😂 My library that’s attached to Overdrive is utter crap, but my sister lives in a big city and is going to get me a card there!)
I agree with all of this. I read a lot! but I know not everyone does or even can – it’s all good!
I want to do away with reading/blogging competition and guilt. Read/post whenever you want and no apologies if you need a break. This isn’t a race & we all get it and have been there before. You’re still a valued member of the book community.
And I’d really like people to stop judging what other people read. It’s all good, You’re reading!
<a href="http://www.fwiwreviews.net/
Absolutely! And I think most of our readers-guilt is even self inflicted! Like I’ve never seen someone read like 30 books a year and thought “wow fake bookworm” so I think we should all just chill out and worry less that others are judging us too!?
I’ve got no idea what book habits we bookworms should leave behind, but I do know that you are not intimidating AT ALL.
Your blog is so funny and personal, it’s like you’re rambling in person (and I’m pretty sure that’s what I sound like to my friends all the time) and the way you write and respond to all the comments makes it seem like you really care and want to be each and every person’s friend! Honestly, if I wanted my blog to be anything, I’d want it to be like yours!
So yeah, you’re not intimidating. But in a good way.
AHHH THIS MAKES ME VERY RELIEVED. I SHALL STAND HERE IN MY RELIEVED HAPPINESS. *shouts calmly a bit* People keep telling me I’m uber intimidating and I’m like..nooo. I’m just here to be funny and chat.😂 Anyway now you’re making me feel all warm and goopy n’awww. <3
I’m glad that made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside!
*SENDS YOU AT LEAST 3 BUCKETS OF CAKE*
AWW YISSS YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND NOW GIVE ME ALL THE CAKE and maybe i’ll give some back because i’m nice like that
That intro was hilarious though!
Your post is amazing and so accurate in every way! I completely agree that book lovers shouldn’t be judged by the number of books they read as I have found myself stressing about that faithful number over the years, and what it means. Two years ago I managed to read 66 books and I actually felt disappointed and worried about what that said about me as a reader. And adults reading YA! I firmly believe that whatever age I’ll be in my life there will always be a YA book in my hands, They are vastly entertaining and should not be subjected to an age limit!
Once again, great post! You brought so many important things about readers and authors to attention 🙂
I’m so glad you liked it.😂😂 And YES! Less judging and more just enjoying our reading and our blogging experiences!! We shouldn’t feel we have to make some grade to be “true” bloggers or anything. (Also can we just all agree that YA is freaking awesome and anyone should be able to read it?!)
A-FREAKING-MEN.
I would like to agree with every single point because these are actually things that I hate seeing. The one I’m most familiar with is the “if you read so little, you must not be a real bookworm. FAKE FAN” nonsense. The year that I decided to read 200 books, everyone was talking about books around as if their reading goals were less than. NO YOU DELUSIONAL PANCAKES, YOUR LIFE IS DIFFERENT FROM MINE. IN FACT, I HAVE NO LIFE. I am very passionate about the fact that readers should never apologize for how much they read or what they read.
*gets off soapbox* Marvelous post, Cait. 🙂 ALSO HOLY HECK I WANT YOUR BOOK ALREADY (but also I know that it’s coming just as soon as it can).
Ughhhg that whole “fake fan” thing drives me NUTS. It’s so unfair! There is no amount of books we have to read or like any other criteria to fill except “hello I like books”. That should be it!! ENOUGH DELUSIONAL PANCAKES. BRING IN THE SMART WAFFLES. (Hmm yeah ok that sounded better in my head.😂)
(AFdasklfd I can’t wait till my book is out but also I’m going to hide.😂)
Okay, I’m VERYYYY guilty for #1, especially since I used to read way more than I do now. I also kind of hate how slowly I read. A few people have already read 8-10 books this year and I am BAFFLED. But I really should stop caring. Reading is a hobby, and we should all read at our own pace. <3 The other points I totally agree with. Basically: We're our own people, we shouldn't judge/be judged. WORLD PEACE WHERE YOU AT!?
Awesome post as always, Queen Cait!!
I’m the same! I’ve actually slowed down a lot 😂 I mean I read 250 books last year but I stressed about it SO MUCH and I’m already stressing this year and I’m just??? Who is this even benefiting, CAIT?! I’d like to think we could all just read what we can and enjoy it! *throws cake crumbs and world peace around*
Couldn’t agree more!
(Except about you biting, you like dragons way too much to not bite!)
I kid — you’re a lovely person and I love interacting with you on Twitter! (I’m @jenniely)
I really want to leave blogger exploitation behind. A few of my friends got invited to do a blog tour, and it turned out in the end that they had to pay postage to get the book, THEN pay again to send it to the next blogger. And this is just one example. I think it’s awful, is shouldn’t HAVE to cost us money to review. Yes I spend money on my blog but I choose to do that because I want to improve, not because I have to.
Oops a little rant there!
Okay you GOT ME…maybe I do bite a bit. It is my dragon nature.😂 Also sooo glad you don’t think I’m scary.😂 I TRY NOT TO BE!! And omg I saw that thing about paying for the book for that tour on twitter?! Like what the heck. That’s absolutely ridiculous. We’re already working for free without having to also PAY. Anyone who’s asked to pay to review a book should definitely get out of there.
YES YES YES to everything on here. It is so hard at times, not to feel guilty about the amount of books we read, especially when we are surrounded by big readers. I’m really proud of the fact that I manage to read over 60 books a year now on top of working full time and handling the blogging thing and life, yet still when I see people reaching over 100 books in a year, it makes me feel like I’m not doing enough. There are so many books I want to read and that doesn’t help, haha. But you’re so right, we shouldn’t feel guilty as we all have our own rhythm, reading pace and we all do what we can, this is a passion and should not be a competition, as long as we read the books we want to and the books we love 🙂
And yes yes yes, it’s so important NOT to judge people buying tons of books, people in love with hardcovers and people with only e-copies of their books. It does NOT matter and people should just enjoy what they have and do their best with what they can and just to hell with people buying 100 books, if they can, THAT IS GREAT FOR THEM and none of our business after all.
That author / reviewers mess is making me so mad, I don’t want to get into it or I’ll write a speech and this is already a long comment hahaha. I just hope that this is the first thing that gets buried 1000 feet underground and that we never ever see this again. It’s so… I don’t even have a word. UGHHHHHHHH. There. that’s a word? 😛
Fantastic post!! <3
I totally hear you!! I have put a lot of pressure on myself with reading too😂 Like I feel if I don’t read that 200 books per year, then I’m failing everyone?! But like?? I’m super busy this year already and not powering through dozens of books and this SHOULD NOT MATTER! I’d like to think 2018 is the year we all take a breath and just enjoy what books we can. (It’s hard though because I want to read everything.😂)
Omg so much agreement about the authors/bloggers. Just leaving each other alone would be the best idea haha.
Ugh, the authors behaving badly atm!!!! And the anti-diversity troll brigade *sighs heavily*
I have no problem with people having as many books as they can buy – as long as they don’t *assume* you can also buy that many!!! Like, some of us are constantly broke. And therefore save for just one or two of those shiny new books that some people take for granted (and shop smart! Lol.)
Also, I can’t remember how tall I am, but I think it’s over 5ft, but under 5ft 1. So we are similar in height – but you’re probably taller. Unless I’ve completely miscalculated and am actually a mythical giant, but am surrounded by taller giants. (Sadly, I don’t think this is true.)
*sighs heavily with you* It’s all a bit of a broken record at the moment too. Some people don’t even WANT to learn?!
And yes agreed! It’s a bit hard when people are like “just go buy the book then”…because many of us CAN’T and also don’t have libraries. But at the same time it’s ridiculous to tell people NOT to buy books.
Ohhhh hey!! Finally someone I can tower over! (Hoping you’re like, um, that whole inch shorter obviously.😂)
All of these! But especially 9. I was like, damn, that was fast.
I know right?! 2 weeks and there’s already been tons of instances!!
I’m both impressed and disappointed
This delightfully true post is, deep down, about labels. How to live up to them and the guilt that comes when you feel you don’t measure up to the arbitrary bar that others have created. Arrogance and ignorance, not to mention insecurity, is the birthplace of trolls. Ive found, like in Jumanji, that the best way to quiet them is to bury them far, far away. In other words, ignore them, neglect them until they starve and move on, Attention gives them power. If someone judges you for reading YA. Just remind them that when To Kill a Mockingbird came out there was no such genre. The criteria for YA is basically any book with a protagonist under 18 and used as a marketing tool. Be confident that what makes you happy is the only voice you should listen to as a true bookworm. Thank you for writing this Cait.
Absolutely!! I think we should all take a bit of a deep breath this year and focus on living good lives? Making ourselves happy with what we consume?! I also agree that YA is really more of an age classification, but also for content. Because like Game of Thrones is NOT YA at all but it stars mostly kids under 18!! So content does play a part, but holy heck, we should just read what we want and enjoy ourselves?!
Thank you for reading!
Wait, you don’t have pointy teeth?
But yes to all of this. It is kind of sad how much author harrasment towards bloggers there has already been this year. 🙁 Haven’t they understood yet that word gets around and it really isn’t a good thing for their career?
NO I DON’T!! ISN’T IT WEIRD?!? I’m actually not a demonic ghoul in the darkness (although it is a disappointing reveal I admit).
I feel like everyone needs to take a deep breath and just think twice before engaging in ANY kind of drama/fight this year.😂 It’d be great. (And authors need to stop…apparently 2018 is shaking up their insecurities?!)
Why is the g silent in gnat? Why are there ever any silent letters?!?! This is the source of my trust issues – those sandcastle buckets and silent letters. Silent letter have got me questioning myself, my morals and my sanity. Whenever I say ironic (which I do regularly because I like to do things ironically all the time), I feel like I’m saying it wrong and that the r should be silent but it’s not and I don’t know who to trust anymore???? Help
Also the cover for your book is GORGEOUS. I’m so happy for youuuu!! (and I’m sorry for my meltdown over silent letters)
Omg I’m so glad you’re with me on this. It’s just unfair to us. Give us sandcastle buckets that work and pronounce all the letters. *nods* (I pronounce the G in lasagna too to be fair.)
(ALSO THANK YOU ABOUT MY COVER I’M VERY HAPPY.)
The authors getting involved in book reviews, yup that needs to die a quick death. I’ve been lucky in that it hasn’t happened to me, but I’ve seen it a lot on Twitter and it’s just awful. Book reviews are for readers, we don’t write them in mind of the author seeing them! I saw the whole Sandhya Menon thing going down on Twitter and I was like what? I’ll admit, I did think the names Dimple and Twinkle were a bit weird when I saw them, but she knows a lot better than I do what Indian names are! I think everyone just needs to be nice to each other, like who cares who reads 20 books a year and who reads 200 (I still marvel at the fact that you do that and wish I could!), we all love books, that’s why where here! I haven’t really experience anyone telling me I shouldn’t read YA, though some of the people trying to encourage uplifting teen voices this year have gone about it in a way that does kind of come across as “you’re an adult, you shouldn’t be here” kind of thing and I’m hoping in 2018 we find a way to uplift teen voices without making adult bloggers feel bad about reading YA. And your posts are far too funny for me to ever find you terrifying 🙂
PS Your ARCs look incredible!
It hasn’t happened to me either which is a RELIEF but omg the ones on twitter at the moment have been insane?! Since when are opinions allowed to be censored?! It’s bizarre and also irrational, like there is 0% a way to know if someone’s read a book before they rate/review it. I think the author behind all that needs to get offline for a while and chill out.
I just found it SO weird with the Sandhya Menon thing that the girl instigating it was very clearly white and Menon is very clearly Indian…like how the heck do you even THINK to lecture someone on their own country?! It’s a bit weird.
Reading for fun and reading YA and just…reading!! It’s all good!! And yeeeah, I mean, I want to uplift teen voices too (I want everyone to have equal hearing) but you’re right that they seem to be taking it to the extreme. I’ve seen one twitter user say they feel bad about reviewing YA now that they’re 20…um. No?! YA doesn’t have an expiry date (and can we remember all the authors are like in the 30s or older!)
(Omg thank you about my ARCs!!)
I often wonder about the word gnat, and it’s all because of you xD also, it’s really hard to keep the whole comment in my head so I could write it out after finishing reading the post on mobile. Like, really hard. Cause attention span = 0. Somehow I think you can relate cause I’ve heard from you that you basically forget the plot of a book when you close the cover 😀
Anyway, I thought that kitty doggo gif is very cute and accurate for the situation 😀 did you see that ridiculous petition on negative reviews? Wait. I think there was a tweet from you, so you just have. I cannot even! Right? 😀
And I was also gonna say YES YES YES to the part about no more Reader’s Guilt. That’s why I made my challenge goal so much smaller this year. I just want to read for my own pleasure again xD
Great post as always!
GUILTY AS CHARGED. I also say lasagna with the G pronounced instead of silent, so basically my sister is in despair and most of my family aren’t sure how I’m a writer.😂
(Hey I have a tiny attention span too so I understand.😂I should make it a goal this year to write smaller posts hahah.)
YES. I was so furious about that author wanting to censor reviewers. It’s so ridiculous…like they should really consider logging off the internet if they seriously can’t handle knowing what their audience things about their book?! I freaking am never reading that book. (Also how dare anyone tell us what to think. *shakes fist*)
I need to really learn to just read for fun again.😂 And less about quantity! CALM DOWN CAIT <-- I need that on a shirt😂
The rep points describe perfectly how I feel towards people when it comes to talk about representation in books. As someone that wants to be an author, I wrote my own super-personal ownvoices rep, with all my experience. And in the future, I’m ready to read the first: this rep is innacurate/wrong. Because during 2017 I saw a lot of sides competetly divided and no actual try to see if their points could actually cohesist.
Like, happened to read a thread of a blogger about a book and how was damaging, while another answered how that rep could be actually truthful and how that opinion could invalidate many things. But all with subtweeting. Guess you can assume how it ended. Not great anyway. While I think that having an actual dialogue would have helped much more.
Btw, whoever is gonna try to judge me for reading YA while being an adult is gonna be buried by books
Agh yes, it’s a bit scary to be an author facing this. My book coming out next year has a lot of #ownvoices narrative in it and I’m TERRIFIED. It won’t fit everyone’s experience and I’m definitely worried for the times when I’m going to be called inaccurate. I think it’d be great if we all, as readers and bloggers, tried to think more from other’s perspectives instead of assuming everyone is wrong?
Subtweeting is the worst. 😭😭 All it accomplishes is horrible misunderstandings.
EVERYTHING about this post is TRUE! I still can’t understand how people criticize a #ownvoices author for writing about their OWN culture and they don’t even belong to that culture… uhmm still boggles my mind!
Also, I am an adult and I read YA. There’s nothing wrong with that. ‘Nuf said.
I know right?! It’s so bizarre it’s nearly laughable. Why would anyone even do that for a culture they don’t know anything about but the author DOES?!?
READ YA FOREVER IF WE WANT TO!
Can we just bury comparing??? It’s so damaging, and just not good.
Yes! Bury all the people who tell me I buy way too many books. It’s my money, and yeah, I may have no more money now and my car engine needs checked out. but I have books! And books are forever. 😍 And while we’re at it, I’m going to whack everyone in the head who tells me I’m too old to read YA.
Oh, you brought the shovel to bury people? I’ve got to give them all a concussion before I bury them. 😂
Can 2018 just be the year where we just love and support everyone? #ownvoices authors, readers, people. Let’s just give everyone hugs and read together.
And you’re literally the nicest blogger ever, ever.
Like, maybe I thought you were a vampire once upon a time? A cake eating vampire? But then, you fangirl over Hornblower, so my fears vanished into the mist of British history.
Also, I’m always SO HAPPY when you comment & reply. Like, how can people not just LOVE Cait? You’re the BEST example.
AND I LOVE YOUR BOOK COVER. It’s so beautiful. I had big expectations, and it’s just so pretty!!!
Absolutely! Couldn’t agree more. Competing and comparing are ruining so many things for all of us?! Also TBr-pile-shaming needs to stop.😂I mean we’re buying books, supporting artists…and so what if we can’t read them all yet?! We will oneday!
JUST LET PEOPLE LIVE. (And also give them cakes and support.)
Aww I’m really honoured you think I’m nice and not too scary.😂 I’m definitely not a vampire because I 500% intended to be in the 18th century British navy when I grew up so yeah. That dream is still working (I need a timemachine?) but definitely makes me not a vampire. TIME LORD MAYBE.
I’m totally with you! These things should all stop happening for sure. I hadn’t heard about the #ownvoices thing before, but it sounds horrible.
It’s super frustrating! I hope criticising #ownvoices narratives definitely is something that dies this year!
wHaT???! YOU MEAN, people won’t re-read a book they hated just because someone told them their opinion is wrong????
honestly i want to fight people who tell others just to re-read a book because yes, it’s possible that their opinion will be changed but IF THEY DON’T WANT TO READ IT PLEASE DOn’T TRY AND FORCE THEM TO
lovely post <3
IT’S A CRAZY IDEA, ISN’T IT. TO DISLIKE A BOOK AND THEN MOVE ON. WHAT WORLD ARE WE LIVING IN. THE INSANITY. *dramatically flops on a lounge*
😂😂
I agree with all of these!
And you kinda touched on it in point 5, but I’d really like people to stop piling on authors for things they presume to be problematic. It’s one thing to criticise, but for one it’s just like you said, not everyone has the same experience, and secondly all this senseless hate needs to stop. People make mistakes, maybe give them a chance to make up for it and apologise, instead of painting them as some irredeemable devil.
ABSOLUTELY. I couldn’t agree more. Also the whole thing where people drag an author and be like “how dare they write this!!” and then the author has to say “well it’s actually my minority experience.” Like we need to sTOP forcing authors to out their personal lives. It’s dangerous! It’s not even fair. I feel like authors have to leave a 50,000 word thesis on why they’re allowed to write a book these days and it seems so wrong?!
And also for bad rep, agreed: give people a chance to learn. I know I’m going to make mistakes as an author, and I REALLY hope people will care enough to tell me what I did wrong instead of blacklist me forever. Most authors don’t intend to be harmful and DO want to change!
I can especially relate to number one and I feel like you wrote my thoughts. Another habit related to that one is how fast I read. Sometimes I feel guilty when I don’t read fast enough or when I want to take a break after 2 chapters or when I want to read only 2 chapters at a certain day. Then I feel guilty that I don’t read enough and immediately after that I ask myself “You are’nt in a competition with anyone, you can read however fast or slow you want to read”…. I really need to bury that habit 😅😅😅
Omg I relate to this a lot too, Miri. You’re not alone! I read 300 books once year (INSANE) and now I forever feel like a failure?! Which is ridiculous. Not every year will be the same! And how about we just read and enjoy ourselves?! Less competing for sure. That’ll be my goal too. (We can hold each other to chilling out more.😂😂)
All of these are so true! I particularly relate to points, 1, 6 and 7. I think it’s so annoying how people dis YA because they think it’s ‘immature.’ Why do they have to be so judgmental? Can’t they just be happy that people are reading?
Exactly!! Where exactly is the downside of reading, learning empathy, and experiencing other lives and cultures?!? THERE IS NONE. No matter the intended age of the book!!
#1 is me this year because I want to read because I love again 🙂
#5 is important and I’m realizing that now as well. In one book I hope to write soon, probably for one of the Nanos, I’ll have a Muslim character who wears hijab and another who doesn’t and I want them to both be awesome and beautifully developed characters with their own reasons ♥
#6 THAT’S JUST STUPID!! I mean, I am DEFINITELY going to be reading YA until I’m an old lady who inhabits the library and constantly snacks on homemade, badly burnt cookies and I will not allow fools to make me feel dumb for reading YA. YA is so very important to me and has honestly shaped the person I am today ♥
#10 You’re always so lovely, Cait, pointy teeth and all! ALSO, THE COVER FOR ATPN IS SO FLAPPING AWESOME!!
For 2018, I want more diverse representation ♥
I love that you’re going to do different types of Muslim characters in your books!! THAT IS SO NEEDED AND I’M ALREADY EXCITED FOR YOUR PROJECT!! And *hi fives* definitely going to be an old near death ghost who’s still getting YA books and shouting at my servant robot (surely we’ll have those by then?!) to fetch me tea and cakes.
THANK YOU!! IT’S GOING TO BE SO FUN, ACTUALLY, I CAN’T WAIT TO WRITE IT!!! *high fives*
Ahh, the robots OH AND SHELVES THAT INSERT BOOKS STRAIGHT INTO YOUR HANDS SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO USE YOUR WEAK KNEES, THE FUTURE IS HERE, XD!
SO MUCH YES to #2 and #5!!!!!! Specifically #5, thank you for acknowledging that not every person of color/LGBTQIA+ person/mentally ill person/etc. is the same or has the same experiences. Not enough book bloggers do. I’m constantly told to read books like Menon’s where Indian culture plays a huge role in the characters’ lives whereas my experience as an Indian-American has been very different. I’m not saying that the books recommended to me are wrong representations of Indian-Americans. They just don’t resonate with my experience.
Exactly!! I don’t even understand why people think that?! I mean for goodness sakes, it doesn’t happen with ANY experience so why would everyone be the same for a minority experience?! And a non-relatable experience doesn’t have to equal bad for sure. I know I have to pull myself up on this sometimes, but it’s soooo important to learn.
Wait. You’ve only seen Jumanji? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? What was your childhood like? (Okay, I got carried away with that. But only because I have very fond memories of this film. Clearly. Also? item #3 kind of answered my question.) And yes Steve Harrington gif! *Insert heart-eyes emojis.*
So, okay. There’s quite a lot to unpack here, but let me begin with this: you’re terrifying? Who said that? You loved Simon vs. and Autoboyography? That automatically disqualifies you for the title? But yeah. List. #5 baffles me every time. Like, one person’s experience will always be different from someone else’s even if they come from the same background but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a false representation. It’s just that that is the truth for that particular person. And this name-calling/dragging on Twitter? Or any platform, really. This needs to stop. I’m more than ready to leave this behind. I believe there are far more effective, more constructive ways to point out that something is problematic or that something is harmful without resolving to burning people at the stakes. I mean, I’m just saying.
Moving along. Wait, you mean we have to pay for art? But the author only spent however many sleepless nights to tell his/her story, I’m sure he/she wouldn’t mind sharing it to the world for free? #6. Whatever. These people are so unhappy with their lives they would shame others for the things they love. Please take several seats. (That goes for everything else in life.) Now, #7. This is perhaps the most puzzling item on your list, Cait. I’ve never experienced/witnessed this before and it makes me sad that this is even a thing. Because you’re absolutely right, book sales tell publishers that there’s interest (and money) in this or that story. Mostly, I hope people realize that they can use their buying choices to convince other people to support the things that they love. (That’s directly a quotation from Kate McKean because, hello, I’m seldom articulate.)
Quite a fantastic list, mademoiselle!
Nooo I saw Jumunji when I was little! IT TRAUMATISED ME, OK. That is 500% the reason I’m damaged today.😂 (I haven’t watched the remake though because…no. It can’t happen without Robin Williams!!)
Ah haha people say I’m intimidating ALL the time. I’m just a smol dork, come now, who can’t know that?! And can we agree that Simon and Autoboyography are so precious and let’s just fall over with appreciation for them afdkjsald.
Also ugh the name dragging is terrifying. A LOT of problems wouldn’t even escalate if people confronted others instead of absolutely trying to ruin them. Plus so many of us bloggers and bookworms have really rather precarious mental health. Why can’t we talk instead of attack? It’d make us ALL learn much more willingly too. (Like if I ever do something problematic [and I know I have in the past!] I 10000% hope someone comes and DMs me and says what I’ve done instead of acting like I meant to be horrible. I’m certain that most bloggers who make mistakes don’t MEAN to. We need to learn!)
Pshaw but obviously books/art should be free.😂😂 *dies a little*
Yes! I think there’s no downside to people buying stacks (and even multiple copies!) of books! Maybe some of us can only use the library but those people who have the funds to buy tons are literally making sure we ALL get more books. Sometimes I think we all need a perspective jolt.
THIS COMMENT IS LOVELY THANK YOU. <3
Very enjoyable blog read. You made me laugh! And it’s only 5:10 am. Thanks.
Aww thank you!! And omg I appreciate you reading my blog so early in the morning.😂
I definitely used to be guilty of the whole “I don’t read enough books I’m not a real bookworm” kind of thing… especially when I went on book blogs and only recognised a handful of the books that were being talked about. But now I realise that’s just dumb?? I mean, I like books, right? I love reading? So that obviously means I’m a bookworm! Even if I don’t read as much as others because I don’t have the time or because I’m just a slower reader.
I totally agree with all your other points too! I noticed a lot of your last points have something to do with “no more judging people because of x” and to respect others’ opinions, which I 100% agree with.
(Also that gif of the two cats fighting and the dog running in to save one of them just made my day XD)
Yes exactly!! I actually felt that way when I started book blogging and literally was forcing myself to read ALL the famous backlist books so I could just feel like I knew what everyone was talking about.😂I don’t particularly regret it, but it’s nOT necessary!! We are bookworms if we love 5 books or 50! And being a slow vs fast reader shouldn’t be ever a contest. We should just enjoy ourselves right?!
Honestly that gif is so pure and perfect.😂
That dog breaking up the cat fight is perhaps the best gif I’ve ever seen.
I have those socks. I wore them during banned book week and made all my students look at them. “Check out my banned book socks!”
They were all, “Um, that’s a real thing?”
Me: “Obviously! LOOK AT MY SOCKS!!”
I think 2, 5, and 9 are super important messages that need to be better understood. Thank you for shouting them from the rooftop that is Paper Fury.
Isn’t it just?! Precious dog, too smol and good for this world. <3
Also that is 100% the appropriate thing to do while wearing banned socks. LOOK, WE HAVE CONTROVERSIAL FEET!!😂😂
I totally agree that Author’s and Reviewer’s need to step away from each other’s spaces. Each one has a different role in the publishing world and they need to realize that. Also, I totally agree with you to stop judging people who buy a ton of books. Some people like to spend their money in different places, I like to spend it in books. No judgment needed.
I agree with everything in this! What really gets me is when people say that Adults can’t read YA, or that Young Adults can’t read children’s. At the end of the day, a book is just a book.
YES! And if a book resonates with someone, how is that ever a bad thing?! (Plus authors sure aren’t teens.😂)
I agree with everything. Love this post 🙂 Specially about people buying books. If you like to buy books and have money to buy them – just buy them. Don’t care about what everyone else feel about it. It’s your money. And about reading 2 or 200 books. It’s nothing to be shame of. Some people read faster than other. I only read 40-60 books each year but I’m still a bookdragon in my eyes.
Absolutely! And we shouldn’t feel guilty! Buying books has no downside honestly, and even if we don’t read them all we are STILL supporting authors and artists <3 And plus we could waste our money on worse things right?!😂
Yes yes YES!! This post is amazing and EVERYONE needs to read a thousand times until it’s imprinted on their brains. I agree with all of these SO much, especially #2, because it’s so silly how much pressure authors put on themselves for their experiences to sound just like everyone elses…which is ridiculous! That’s the whole point of #Ownvoices, to show how different we all view and see the world through own lense. Just…uuuugggh, I could not agree more with all of this.
Absolutely! And it boggles my mind how people treat diversity when it doesn’t line up with their experiences…because um…DIVERSE = DIFFERENT. How do people not remember that?!? A minority doesn’t equal a beehive where everyone thinks/feels the same.
I’m so glad you liked this post!!💕
Cait, you’d never bite us as long as we kept you well supplied with chocolate cake.
But YES TO ALL OF THE ABOVE. I just want people to realise this year that not everyone has the same taste in books, and people should be allowed to enjoy whatever they like to read without any shame.
Shh Bec don’t tell people i am really soft and smol and squishy. I’m trying to maintain and aura of terror here.😂
Discovering PaperFury via twitter (your tweet lists are pure gold) was honestly one of the highlights of 2018 so far 🙂 And haha, yes, I love the Bad Habits to Bury post! I agree with all your points. Gorgeous blog + pics, btw <3
Omg that makes my DAY, thank you, Tina!! <3
I’m turning 20 next month and number 6 feels so close 😱
Love your post! 💗
(also, who gives you stickers for trying, or am I better off not knowing)
Omg 20!! YOU OLD THING. (Says me who just turned 24 but shh.😂😂)
WE SHALL BE OLD AND PRETEND TO BE WISE
Loving your list Cait. It’s not a new thing, just something I’ve noticed a lot lately — I think new bloggers need to stop putting themselves under so much pressure to publish reviews by a particular time, because when push comes to shove ‘life’ must come first. To be clear, I’m not saying throw a sense of obligation out the window. I just mean don’t load yourself up too much. If I commit to publishing a review by a particular date, it is rare for me not to do that. Over the years I’ve just learned the best way of not creating undue stress is simply to not request an unmanageable number of titles for review in the first place. I know as book lovers it is hard to control that urge, but well worth doing so that reading and writing reviews remain enjoyable experiences, rather than chores.
Absolutely!! I think it’s ridiculous how much pressure we bloggers get?!? Most of it is self inflicted but I think there’s this idea that we “have to do x amount of things” when really this should be for FUN. If we’re not having fun (because we sure don’t get paid😂) then what’s the point?! I hate it when blogging gets stressful!
I just read all the way to the bottom and have one burning question. How do you make sandwiches backwards? I feel this knowledge may change my life.
Honestly I DON’T EVEN KNOW.
CAIT I love this post so much! You literally covered all my thoughts about the problematic stuff happening in the book world today, basically lots of jealousy, guilt and shaming. Can people just stay out of each other’s business, that would be great thanks.
AHH THANK YOU, JEANN!! I’M SO HAPPY YOU LIKE IT! And it’s (unfortunately though) a really topical post even though I wrote it a while ago, *sigh* I hate how much nonsense has already gone down this year.
Somehow my big, stupid thumbs keep typing 2028… and how did you know I’ve got a body in my freezer…?
Ahem. I’ve always envied the amount of books you consume in a year! Like holy heck Cait! I really should stop putting myself down for reading less than 20 books a year (but my goal this year IS 25!) but I just wish I had looooads more time to read them (or that I would stop getting distracted by other things). But I don’t really consider myself any less of a book
wormdragon.I also dislike the fact that “gnat” starts with a G…ugh, the English language is so funky.
That’s amazing. :’) I keep typing 3018 so between the two of us who knows what year it is. Obviously just a year to eat cake.
And absolutely: let’s make reading NOT a competition this year! I also need to not compete against myself, that’d be good. 😂
“Yes it’s a lucky privilege to be able to afford books.” It’s also a privilege to own books! I move so much (every 1-3 years), so each time my family packs up, we go through a book purge, getting rid of books we will never read again/have never read before.
Also, can I just say that yes, it’s great to support publishers, but it’s also great to support your local library. I feel bad for the people who say that libraries are obsolete. They’re NOT! I’m not sure how it works elsewhere, but at my local library system, we get our library cards and interlibrary loans for free. In Germany, you have to pay for a library card, and in England, you have to pay for interlibrary loans, even if it’s a book from across town (which usually meant I would bike across town to save 25 pence). Don’t know where I was going with that… Bad habit=not supporting libraries enough! Another bad habit=if you can’t buy books, beating yourself up for borrowing books from the library.
For 2018, I’m not going to challenge myself to read a greater number of books but rather to expand the types of books I read. For example, I want to read more classics. Thanks for another great post, Cait!
Absolutely! Books are lovely and wonderful and we’re lucky to be able to have lots of them. (Or as many as we can haha.)
I sooo wish I had a local library to support agh. I used to go in weekly and borrow STACKS. I do think it’s important to support libraries if you can!
YES TO ALL OF THESE.
I’m actually writing a post right now about why bloggers shouldn’t tag authors in negative reviews/reviews aren’t for authors etc. The trend of authors responding to negative reviews/bloggers tagging authors in negative reviews NEEDS to stop. >.<
Lovely post! <3
PS. I GOT AN ARC OF YOUR BOOK TODAY, AND I'M SO INCREDIBLY PROUD OF YOU. <333
I’M SO FREAKING OUT WITH HOW GLAD I AM YOU GOT AN ARC!! I literally know no one getting them😂 so I’m glad at least one of my friends did!! (Also totally no pressure to love it, just so you know. 😉 I will not be one of those authors breathing down everyone’s necks haha.) I’m looking forward to your post about the tagging authors!! I think book bloggers AND authors can be such to blame for this. We ought to just leave each other alone?!
(Except for me. LOVE ME STILL.😂 Lmao just kidding. I swear I will keep my blogging x author lives separate. I will be like a cat with multiple lives.)
But, like can you still be here as awesomely as you currently are after your book is published and you go hide in the dark woods?? Cus that’d be awesome really.
Honestly I can’t stop being awesome. *flips my hair and struts about majestically*
(😂😂 I am JUST KIDDING. I don’t plan to disappear on the blog that’s for sure haha.)
Phewwww! Hey please keep on being majestic and strutting about the blog. I seriously enjoy reading your posts ; thoughts, ideas, story things, and general life things so much. Speaking of, is it crazy I still have your Valentin in my head? Because I know a Thousand Perfect Notes isn’t out yet and I’m already wondering when your next book will be out.
I’m not creepy, I swear!
😐
(I don’t have a release date for my 2019 book yet😂 but it’ll be early in the year!)
I completely agree with everything on this list! Definitely things to leave behind in 2017! And the guilt for not reading ENOUGH – totally something I need to let go of! I can’t believe we still have to talk about authors not getting involved in reviews but maybe this will be the year it gets left behind?? One can hope.
It would be NICE if we didn’t have the same dramas reoccurring right?! I can’t believe publishers don’t warn authors just to back off.
I love your number one! I always feel so bad about my lack of reading, I’m not a fast reader. I’ve only set my goal at 24 this year and feel so bad compared to others who set theirs at like 100. But what you said is so true! I shouldn’t feel bad for how fast I read.
Also, congrats on the book! That’s such an achievement.
YAY for our love of reading!! And *hi fives* for let’s not feel bad about how much we read!! Honestly this year is going to be weird for reading for me since I’m not sure if I should review or not, so maybe we’ll both be cool with not reading so much.😂 *sends cake*
I totally agree with so many of these! What a well written blog post (but then.. all your blog posts are well written). Really enjoyed reading it. I look forward to follow you in 2018 and I hope all these habits can be left behind! Because I don’t use social media a lot myself, some of the ‘drama’ and meanness online kind of goes by me (because I don’t use social media much so I don’t read about it).. but I do agree with all you wrote. I always thought the ‘g’ in gnat had to be pronounced! It does seem unfair towards the ‘g’ (which coincidentally is a letter I really like because my name starts with it). I love your blog :D. Also I much approve of the mention of food in this blog post.. food is so important.
aww thank you😍!!! I’m so glad it came across without being too ranty or anything. And let’s just hope I can stick to dumping these bad habits in 2018 too. 😂 I’ll exchange all my blogging stress for writing stress lmao. (JUST KIDDING. I WILL BE CALM.)
Also equal writes for Gs in gnat and lasagna and also the B in subtle. It asks to be said.
Crap, it’s Tuesday afternoon. *hides*
THESE ARE GOOD POINTS. I agree with all of them. I’m really liking the “chill out and have fun” vibe everybody’s putting out lately. I’ve seen a couple of posts with huge goals for 2018, but most of them are around the lines of “I’m not going to put too much pressure on myself, and just have fun instead, and lot other people do their thang as well”. I LOVE IT.
*sharpens teeth*
And honestly if we all stick to our “chill out and have fun” idea, we’ll be great.😂 Remind us this in March though because aha hahaha we will be back to stressing. But in all seriousness 😂 I hope 2018 is a really fun and nice year for we bloggers!!
Literally all of these things are what I have been wanting to scream into the void for weeks now. THANK YOU FOR SAYING IT! I haven’t experienced a lot of these things, but just the idea that these things are happening in what is supposed to be a warm and inviting community makes me sick. I’ve really been trying to make the focus of 2018 be positivity and supporting my fellow bloggers.
Keep doing what you do!
Ahhhh thank you for liking this post, Charley!! I’m glad!! And it honestly is ridiculous how half these things happen. Like part of being a bookworm/reader is like putting ourselves in fictional characters’ shoes and experiencing other perspectives. And yet half the time the actual book community seems to suck at that for REAL PEOPLE. It’s a bit sad! But I think most of us here are lovely and caring!! <3
I so agree with pretty much every single one of your points. Well done. I wish more authors would stay out of book blog posts about their own books. Just… walk away, sing a song, take a bath, anything to get away from making a fool of yourself (and I’m an author, here. I caution other authors ON THE DAILY not to respond. Sigh.) And I love that you’re saying about the Own Voices and minorities. Please say it loud and say it often.
I know right?! It IS hard and none of us are denying it sucks to be criticised…but authors need to go cry/rant to their FRIENDS. And make it offline. I don’t get how they don’t realise how damaging it is to their career to start being their book’s warrior mother. UGh. Art is for interpretation.
<3 <3 Thank you for this lovely comment!
Mondays. We have to leave behind Mondays. *moans* And waking up.
*scratches Mondays off the list of existence*
So true! I think there should be less shaming of people in general, especially in the book blogger community. There’s so much judginess and unnecessary hate (?!?!?! WHY) THAT SHOULD ALL BE BURIED IN GENERAL.
ABSOLUTELY!! I think we all tend to either shame ourselves or lowkey shame others and *shakes head* noooo it should all stop. I mean, we’re BOOKWORMS?!? One of our biggest things is reading books and looking at characters’ different perspectives. We need to do that for each other too!
I’m so excited to get hold of your book! 😀 IM EXCITED. YOU GO GLEN COCO. I don’t know which of us I was comparing to Glen Coco. Me for my unmarred excitement or you for getting a real life book published. ANYWAY, I completely agree with all of this good stuff. (How do you make a sandwich backwards though???????)
My biggest ‘stop doing this in 2018’ thing is to stop trying to like books just because people I like like them. Does that make sense? I’ve started to avoid books other people tell me are good until *I* feel like reading them because otherwise I’m just struggling through them with absurdly high expectations when It’s totally not the right time for me to be reading them. I’m a big believer in reading whichever book is currently calling your name (not literally, just imagine!) my 2018 reading resolution is “If I’m not feeling it, I’m not reading it”
CAT!! THANK YOU!! I’M SO EXCITED AND JUST FREAKING OUT MOST OF THE TIME BUT AHHHHHH. (Also making a sandwich backwards is just a pure talent. I’m going to claim it.)
Oh I totally get that about like hyping up books, even if it’s self-hype. Or having expectations when everyone else LOVES it and assumes you will to?! And I’m a total mood reader too so I relate! let’s make 2018 the year we really focus on enjoying our reading. *FLINGS CONFETTI*
I obsessively read the comments on your goodreads review for Paper Princess because that book made me so angry, and I’m always BAFFLED by the amount of people who say you should read it again because you missed the point, or you misinterpreted things
UM , NO YA’LL ARE JUST OVERLOOKING THE PROBLEMS BECAUSE YOU LIKE TRASH BOOKS WITH DRAMA
there, I said it
Omg I’m so mad at that Paper Princess. The book made me feel physically ill because of how disgustingly problematic it was. And then those commenters?!? WHERE ARE THEIR BRAINS AND MORALITY AND HUMANITY?!? GOD. I’M SO FRUSTRATED. Like one girl accused me of “making her feel like shit for liking the book” and I’m like lmao, dear, if I called out the problems and you feel like shit then that’s on you. And good.
Also we can have drama nonsense books without them being so problematic, right?!?
I was surprised to hear a story about an author and her friends harassing a reviewer because she didn’t like the book, it’s only three weeks into the new year, they need to stock up on glitter. I have to agree with everything you said, especially #6.. I’m 47 and I get asked frequently why I’m reading YA… umm, because I like it.
I just found your blog and I can tell that I’m going to love visiting it,except during lunch hours 🙂
Ugh yes that was my friend that author was harassing and I felt SO bad for her…and really frustrated that authors can be like that?!? Not everyone is going to enjoy one book! And YES that’s an excellent reason to read YA!
(Aww thank you and welcome!! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 🎉🎉)
Such a great post, thank you for this post! 2017 was a really tumultuous year for the book blogging community it feels like, I couldn’t open twitter or goodreads without seeing some new controversy being screamed about everywhere, especially with #ownvoices and minority experiences debates. I just want to enjoy all the wonderful books out there and learn about new things from new authors, can’t we all just get along!? Otherwise I need to work still on the feeling guilty part, I read a ton last year (70+) and still feel like I slacked ’cause I still missed a ton of really huge and super hyped releases. @_@
Agh I know right?! I hated all the dramas of last year. I doubt they’ll be any better this year, but I really wish people would respect others a bit more, and also maybe give the benefit of the doubt?! It’s really hard to assume we know everything about a user from just reading their blog/twitter!!
Dooon’t feel guilty though! I’m REALLY telling myself this too because this year looks like it won’t be super productive for me, reading wise. 🙈🙈
I review books with a program that prints out pages of book reviews and compiles them in binders for the authors—I think it’s quite cool, really! I used to think authors should know I wrote a book review about them, so I mentioned one or two some years back, but now…now, I’m like, “But it doesn’t matter to me what they think of my opinion of their book.”
It takes me back to Creative Writing in high school, when we’d have to read and critique everyone’s stuff, and then take this stuff into consideration. The teacher didn’t us on it, and it was more like a writing group, but my writing has always been more dark and symbolic than that of my peers, so…while I get a kick out of people loving my writing (who doesn’t?!), at the end of the day, the people who take issue with it are not people who would be within the reading demographic, technically speaking. Of course someone who doesn’t want to read about sad stuff is gonna hate a story about tragedy?? So I don’t spend loads of time reading feedback anymore. Blogging has actually helped with this and helped me feel less nit-picky.
I think you’re brave, though, having a book out there. I would freak out. It’s one of the top things that make me procrastinate in my own novel writing.
It is really hard learning who to take advice from, that’s for sure! Like I struggle to take advice from just anyone and I definitely DON’T think we writers should because it’s impossible to please everyone! And like you said, if you hate sad stories, then that person’s advice on your sad book is already moot. 🙈
omg trust me I am VERY MUCH FREAKING OUT. 😂😂
YAAASSSS!!! These are all awesome advice for bookworms everywhere! I especially like the one about “NO MORE JUDGING ADULTS FOR READING YA BOOKS (and children’s books).” I mean, can’t we all just read the books we like and leave it at that? Anywhoo….I’m definitely preaching to these tips!
Absolutely!! We should just enjoy books, right?! It’s beautiful and wonderful to enjoy books ahhh!! I’m glad you liked this post. 😀
Oh my goodness, number 1!!! I get that a lot and at first it used to get to me but now I just ignore it or shrug it off. EVERYBODY should read this list!
It’s totally a normal thing to fret over, but we need to stop right?! Reading is for enjoying!!🎉🎉 I’m really glad you liked the post! THANKS.
OMG Cait who said you are scary? You are surely one of those really friendly blogger out in the supportive book blogger community, who are all really very friendly as well. (what is wrong with my language today?) And what is this about Dimple and Rishi not being Indian names? I have two friends called Rishi and a Dimple as well and I am an Indian.
Great post as ever.
Honestly I get told I’m scary a lot. 😭😂 It makes me sad because I try to be friendly to everyone?!
And omg it makes me so mad when people criticise ownvoices authors about their OWN CULTURES. I also think the trolls doing this are all white so like…if you’re not Indian why would you presume to know more?!? It’s mindblowing how rude some people are.