Now since I ve been in the blogosphere ,I ve realised there are whole areas of books and publishing I don’t really bother with ,now I m wondering why ? .I went as a youngster from price and Blyton stories when 10 11 to Doyle Christie dickens etc so the whole YA area although I feel this genre is a modern invention has passed me by ,I did in late teens dabble with sci and fantasy some Asimov ,Moorcock ,king and Raymond e feist but that was nearly twenty years ago .So does this make me a book snob I don’t know, until I enter the blogosphere I thought I read widely but it is mainly what is classified as either lit fiction or world lit and have read widely in these genres .I admire some bloggers but see them reading books I wouldn’t and wonder if I m the one that is a snob ?Thus missing some great book by this ?
HOW FIXED ARE YOU ON WHAT YOU READ ?
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF AS A BOOK SNOB ?
Great question, Stu. I think book snobbery is thinking that a certain genre has more merit than others. I don’t think you’re a book snob by reading translated/world lit. It’s not like you’re going out and trashing people about what they read, you know?
I read YA, graphic novels, sci-fi in between adult/serious/literary novels. Sometimes I’ll read a western if the mood fits.
THANKS Gina ,no apart from translation thurs I don’t beat people round the head with it ,I like people to look at translated books a bit more than they do hence my thurs efforts on twitter ,all the best stu
I read all over the place, almost any genre. sometimes I get in a groove where I read a whole bunch of one type, but thats just by chance. I think that you’ve hit on a genre that you’re enjoying and found so many appealing titles. Thats a good thing. A snob is one that feel s that only the books he/she is reading are worth reading, that anyone else’s choices are wrong. Definitely not you.
I m very much in a groove heather ,just wonder sometimes whats over the fence so to speak ,all the best stu
Stu, I don’t think you should be considered a snob for knowing what you like and/or liking one type of anything more than another thing in the same general category. That being said, I think a lot of book bloggers are SUPER sensitive about their tastes and may whine a bit if you crack on one of their favorite authors/genres as if you are making a personal attack on them personally. I myself have no interest in reading YA, for example, but not because I don’t think there are “worthy” YA titles but because those books aren’t written for my age range as an adult. Fantasy and some other types of literature do nothing for me either. Who cares? Everybody can read what they want anyway.
thanks richard ,you out most bloggers I follow seem nearest in what you read to what I read ,so your input is important to me ,all the best stu
Well, if that’s book snobbery then I’m a fully paid up member of that gang, Stu. I really only read what’s called ‘literary’ fiction and graphic work, both fiction and non. What determines what I read is really the quest for excellent fiction, whether from authors I already read and admire or from others that are brought to my attention bloggers/reviewers/articles etc. I would never criticise anyone for reading genre fiction but I have no interest in it myself and the only elements of sci-fi, fantasy, noir or western that would enter my reading life would be those that come about as part of the literary experimentalism of those authors I do read. Those established genres fell very exclusive to me, almost like they’re written in a language I’m not quite fluent in.
In my experience people tend to settle into reading patterns and as long as your trying to find the best examples of what you like reading then it’s all to the good.
yes your patterns similar to mine it seems william ,I just wonder sometimes if what over the fence so to speak is any good ,but on whole can’t see me change what i read just wondered if it is book snobbery or a settle patttern of reading and think is the later ,all the best stu
I’ll echo what a couple of others say here; I don’t get the impression that you are a snob. It seems to me that you love reading and you like what you like – can’t really ask for more than that. The problem would, I think, come if you started to think that there was any inherent superiority in you, or the things you choose to read, because of the way that someone has chosen to classify them.
That’s not to say that there aren’t works of fiction that you can point to as being better than others: there are. But I don’t want to limit myself.
Incidentally, I know where you’re coming from when you worry that you’re reading mainly lit fic or world lit. Thing is, however, while “lit fic” probably does constitute a fairly narrow genre, world fiction doesn’t. So I don’t think that you need worry about the breadth of your reading at all!
Interesting comments about the YA fiction. I was talking about that with a colleague the other day. I really don’t remember that at all – and I’m not that old (honest!). Like you, I went from reading Roald Dahl and books aimed squarely at children, to the likes of Orwell, Heller and adult genre fiction. That said, as a genre fan, I have read one or two examples of it recently and there is some good stuff out there.
I think YA is a new idea ,but on whole dosen’t appeal but just wonder why people get so excited about it some times ,agree with world lit richard the breadth is fairly wide this year read crime ,philoshphy and historic books in translation ,ALL THE BEST STU
If you are a book snob (and I’m not for a split second suggesting you are), then to my mind it’s a good thing. There’s so much dreadful rubbish out there – a breif visit to your local Waterstones will confirm this – that you almost have to be a “book snob” to avoid it.
10/10 for having a cover photo of “Magician” on this post. I last read Feist about 15 years ago, and I’m still promising I’ll make the time to revisit Midkemia and Kelewan (I can still remember the names after all these years!)
oh waterstones on whole have a dreadful buying policy no wonder there in trouble they need to move focus of offers and back to qualtiy books ,I really like magican when I read it 20 years ago it is one other genre book to stick with me ,all the best stu
I wouldn’t say you were a book snob at all, Stu. You know what you like and that’s fine – a snob is someone who trashes others’ choices and you don’t do that. You have commented on some of the books I have reviewed that you probably wouldn’t read but you have never once passed judegement – you understand that reading is a personal choice.
I, personally, don’t like book snobs. Reading, for me, is about enjoyment. I want to be entertained and whether that comes in the form of a prize-winning book or a commercial paperback from the supermarket shelf, who cares? I love books. I love reading.
i do comment on books i may not read but in some way appeal mainly due to subject matter ,I would never put any one down as i love reading and books each to there own ,all the best stu
Last week I was at one of my meetings & I was sat in a circle of my fellow addicts, I had been going now for about a month & thought it was my turn to stand up. “Hello my name’s
Parrish I’ve been coming here for awhile now & thought I should speak to you all” I paused “It’s been years now for me, I think I know when it started-but it’s ….. just to long ago, visits to grandparents, family problems, just youknow life. I know it’s no excuse, I should show, maybe more empathy but I AM A BOOKSNOB.” I,ve read books of most factions/genre’s & am willing to try most things, but I review only books I like, I may read others, just like every now & then I may visit a generic burger chain. EMBRACE YOUR INNER BOOK SNOBBERY.
Parrish
ps. in my teens i think i read everything Moorcock produced, including music he was involved in, + loads of that ilk & still read the odd thriller etc.OH & confession, my blog name is based on a Dean Koontz character, but apart from that, Stu, I must confess I think I,ve known you long enough to be this personal, I am a BOOKSNOB & love it.
true parrish ,wondered where the name came from ,think my reading followed a pattern and I got into a groove and books I m happy with so in that way amybe I m a bit of a snob ,all the best stu
Not a snob – my philosophy is that reading is to be enjoyable – Always. If you’re reading what you want, than great! I personally have read some books thinking I would detest it but turned out that I loved it but have also started books I felt I would love because it was ‘easy read’ and turned out that I couldn’t concentrate as I didn’t really like it. Not that it was beneath me, just that I didn’t find it to *my* liking.
I always read what i want to mar think I m just settle and like a nosey neighbour want see what jones have ,all the best stu
Stu, I’ve followed you on Twitter for a long time (I’m PerryJenn) yet this is my first visit to your blog. I agree with Gina. Though I find that having Sirius-XM Book radio has introduced me to books and authors I would not have read before.
My book blog is new and I hope I can continue to feature a variety of genres. If not, I expect my pal Parrish here to make suggestions
I also have a blog of crabby rants. http://memoirsofamisanthrope.blogspot.com
Hi jenn I ve enjoyed your tweets and thanks for your first comment ,I shall check your blog out ,all the best stu
I don’t know Stu, if you’re a book snob then so am I. I also thought I read really widely until I started reading other book blogs and was reminded of a ton of genres that I totally steer clear from (YA, crime, fantasy…) It doesn’t bother me that other people like these genres, though. That would just be silly. And snobby.
Yes there is a lot genres I don’t read but after comments just think I m set in my ways ,all the best stu
Hi Stu,
I’ve recently been following your tweets and I’ve only just recently realised you have a blog. I think it’s fascinating that you have chosen to read translated fiction from around the world. What better way to learn and understand culture, history and the mood of each region? As far as do I think you are a book snob? No. You have chosen your genre and read what it interests you. You don’t put others down for what they have chosen to read and I don’t think you would. I read everything. I have 4 children (ages 22 down to 2) and I read whatever they recommend (ie Twilight), what they are reading at university or college, what they enjoy etc. It’s a nice way to keep up with their mindset and also have a common topic to discuss. I read things I enjoy of course and I do have my own so called “standard”. As I have a Japanese background, let me know what you think of Murakami (Haruki) and how he compares to someone like Tom Robbins?
Regards, Sumi
many thanks sumi ,yes I love find out about cultures also different views on events ,lot books recently have been about ww2 but from different angles which has been interesting ,Murkami I think from the books of his I ve read is influenced by robbins ,pychon and that genration of american writers ,I also see some ballard and orwell in his work with his social commentry and particually with the new one be name iq84 as homage to orwell ,all the best stu
I don’t think you are a book snob as you read indiscriminately about other countries and cultures. There are so many books and so little time, it wouldn’t hurt to be a snob so that you only read what makes you happy. 🙂
I know of people who have no idea what they want to read so they pick what the booksellers advertised in stores or online at that point in time, I think that’s a sad situation to be. For example, somehow or rather, I find orange prize long list or short list books doesn’t quite agree with me, although I do love some who went on to win the prize, but I didn’t like most of them.
thanks ,and very true about so many books so little time ,all the best stu
I think most people must have felt like that at times? I don’t read half as many “literary fiction” as most of the bloggers I admire, or translated fiction, or well.. crime novels? I don’t know. It mostly makes me feel that I don’t know enough and Im guessing that makes me a non-snob. Anyway, I wouldn’t call you a snob, since you just seem to know what you like and what you don’t. You would be a snob if you’d go around telling other people their worse readers because they read things like YA or crime or fantasy, THEN you’d be a snob. Especially if you didn’t try the genre yourself beforehand. But no, you’re not like that at all 🙂
thanks iris ,no never negative about other peoples books just wonder why they read them sometimes and am I missing out ,but on whole know what I lioke and stick to that all the best stu
I’m definitely set in my ways where reading is concerned. I tend to shy away from YA, historical fiction. I’ve recently decided to try a bit of fantasy. But I stick mostly with literary fiction, translated fiction and African lit. You are not a snob just *particular* is all 🙂
thanks kinna ,I am set in my ways read lit and world fiction most of last decade ,I know what i lkie ,all the best stu
Stu, anyone like you who is widely read in world-lit can’t be a snob. But I do feel there is also an awful lot of poorly written trash out there these days which has acquired cult status, so maybe i am a snob!
No there does seem books that maybe 20 years ago would have fallen to side ,now raised to some cult staus ,all the best stu