bookvengers - Tumblr blog

[bookvengers]

To the hateful anons out there:

The next time you write something hateful to someone, think about this: what did they ever do to you? How have they altered your existence in such a way that you feel compelled to send them hate messages? What do you have to gain by making someone doubt themselves? What sort of perverse satisfaction do you get by belittling them, by making them feel worthless, sad, awful, useless? To make yourself feel bigger and better? If this is what you have to resort to, in order to feel that way, you are a pathetic excuse for a human being. YOU are the worthless one. The sad and awful. Not them. No the people who have hurt no one, who just expressed themselves in a way that did not harm anyone. 

So do yourself a favor and seek help. Because something is not right with you, if you find satisfaction in other people’s sadness and misery. And if you still have the urge to “express” yourself this way, at least have the balls and don’t press that anon box.

[bookvengers]

Okay, so we were dormant for awhile because real life got in the way and it's actually been mostly peaceful in the community, but the hateful anons are showing up again.

So, it look like people need reminding that the book community will not tolerate bullying.

[bookvengers]

I'm almost 23, and I constantly get told that I should "grow up" and read "real fiction" as opposed to teen/young adult fiction. But... I generally like the stories better in these books, and I feel like they almost speak to me. Am I weird? :\

It makes me really sad to hear things like this. I apologise for the rant that’s about to follow but this whole subject is something I’m really passionate about.

You’re not weird, anon. No mater what anyone says, you should read the books that you enjoy. You are entitled to read and like whatever you want, no matter how old you are - whether that’s YA, classics, sci-fi, biographies or a bit of everything. It doesn’t matter to anyone else but you what you’re reading. If people don’t like it, it’s their problem and not yours.

The great thing about reading is there’s so many different types of books out there and not one reader is the same. We can read different things and have different approaches to books. This whole book snobbery, particularly towards YA, is something that really bothers me. I understand that not everyone likes or reads YA. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and while I’ll always argue that YA cannot be defined by one book or genre when it encompasses so many, I get why people might prefer other kinds of books. I just don’t agree with putting people down for reading a lot of it or claiming it’s not worthy. I’ll never understand why some people need to make others, like yourself, feel bad about what they’re reading. Why does it matter so much to other people anyway? Not everyone wants to read literary masterpieces or general adult fiction. Those kind of books don’t resonate with everyone and that’s okay.

Personally, I love YA and I read a lot of it. A lot of my favourite books are written for teenagers, including classics. My mum - who is in her 40s - has read and loved books written for young adults too. A lot of adults do and it’s great. It annoys me how terms like ‘teen fiction’ and ‘books for young adults’ have turned into almost insults in a way. No one is any less of a reader - or person - for reading a book aimed at a younger audience. Likewise, no one who solely reads literature can act like they’re the most intelligent and wonderful person in the universe and, as a consequence, YA fiction is beneath them. Give me a break.

In my eyes, a book is a book. I wish there wasn’t such a negative focus on age labels. The only thing that matters is that you enjoy what you’re reading and it sounds like you do.

[bookvengers]

I know we have primarily try to help other book blogs, but today, it was a tumblr author who was sent some awful, toxic things.

Guys. Authors are the reason we have these blogs.

Not only are they putting themselves out there when they publish their work, but they make social media account to connect with fans, to make communication easier, to bring us more content and answer our questions on a whim. And that again makes them vulnerable. Because people hide behind an anonymity of the internet to say things that are truly awful, to spread hate, and launch attacks. 

Alexandra Braken author of the Darkest Minds series, was viciously attacked for stating her opinion on a fancast (the post had been deleted).

As she states she feels incredibly uncomfortable now, and I'm sure anyone would. Which means there's a huge chance she may decide to leave if attacks continue or happen again. If other authors feel threatened or they hear that tumblr is not a safe or happy environment, they will no longer consider it as a good platform to communicate with fans. Which will majorly suck.

Authors owe us nothing. We owe them nothing. But they write books, and we read them. That's as far as that relationship has to go. The point is, it's a mutual relationship. They don't have to write, we don't have to read.

When an author actually puts in time and effort into communicating with their fans, they're doing us a favor. Of course, they get publicity for it as well, but again, they don't really have to be doing it. Or they can get someone else to do it for them, which isn't the same.

To attack an author over an opinion, especially when it's a simple as not seeing a certain actor for a fancast, is really low and frankly some of those messages are plain disgusting and criminal.

If your want to message her, please do not repeat what those persons said. Just thank her for her presence and for taking her time to communicate with her fans.

No one deserves to be attacked that way. Not authors, not bloggers, no one!

[bookvengers]

When I mentioned to the "bookvengers" a while back about the attacking back in anything other than a peaceful manner, whoever replied jumped down my throat in defense. I'm glad whoever made the recent post/plea either grasps that idea or has come to grips with it.

That's what I was thinking. Because I saw a few people express their concern about the fact about how vicious  some of the people were being in "defense". Which really don't make things right, or better?

-Marina.

[bookvengers]

I'd like to ask Bookvengers for a favor:

When you see a blogger be attacked, please do not respond to the attacker in any way. Do not even mention them when sending support to a blogger.

Because often what happens is that the person who said something stupid ends up being attacked and bullied. We are not here to do that.

Please just send love and support to the person being bullied. Tell them their opinion is valid and they have a right to it.

But do not respond to hate with hate. There's enough of that already.

We will try to do the same, because we are just as guilty.

Thank you,

The Bookvengers.

[bookvengers]

There's a big difference between an having a polite critical conversation with someone or having an opinion about a book/author/anything and straight up telling someone they're wrong, their opinion is invalid, or that they're downright bullying you by having an opinion different then yours.

If you don't know the difference, please refrain from throwing your two cents into the conversation.

[bookvengers]

Things people should take out of this whole situation - Don’t be rude/jerks to the book community. We’re a small little community, but we’re very protective of our own. Probably because we’re mostly made up of Hufflepuff/Ravenclaws. 

[bookvengers]

Amen.

Have you read any of Neil Gaiman's works?

yeah, i’m not a fan. :(

[bookvengers]

We are here friends!

*whispers* what's a bookvenger? how do I become one? are they anything like my imaginary book khalasar?

hehe yes!! check out user bookvengers!

[bookvengers]

[bookvengers]

We're so sorry that happened to you. Don't let malicious people get to you and keep loving what you love.

I've had to turn off my anon after getting non-stop hate for saying I liked The Hunger Games more than Divergent, it got to the point where I was told to kill myself. Over a book series.

THAT IS DISGUSTING

and also i agree with you but that is beside the point

[bookvengers]

Who?

We are a group of book bloggers who are tired of seeing people bullied and harassed for reading and loving certain books, for liking to read e-books, or for stating their opinion on certain topics.

The Bookvengers blog is run primarily by books-cupcakes, bookphile,  booksturnmugglesintowizzards, and about-books-and-dreams. But everyone on the blog roll is part of the Bookvengers and every single one of them will come to a fellow book-lover’s aid when needed.

We’re still trying to iron out all the details so please give us time.

What?

We created this group so that people can refer to us, a help line if you will, when they feel upset, harassed, bullied, or even threatened over reading certain books, preferred reading formats, or for expressing certain views* about books, etc.  Whether you need someone to listen, someone to come to your defense, moderate an argument, or cheer you up.

We are not out to get people or hunt down offenders, we are first and foremost a support group!

If we can’t protect the bloggers,  you can be damn sure we’ll avenge them.

Why?

Because everyone has the right to read what they want, however they want, and no one should ever be afraid of expressing their opinion on their own blog. 

We don’t care if you love Fifty Shades of Grey or if you only prefer to read e-books. No one has the right to tell you that you shouldn’t like something because they don’t, or that your way of reading is wrong.

How?

You can either message us directly on bookvengers or pick any person from the blogroll and speak to them. 

Tag the post as: bookvengers,  or refer to us in a post.

We will respond in one of two ways: if one of the bookvengers sees a post that stinks of bullying or harassment we will answer it.

Or if the bookvengers get a request for assistance, depending on what kind of help you want, that is what we shall try to give you. Whether it’s answering a post in a constructive manner, cheering you up, telling a person to back off, or simply trying to provide you with an answer the Bookvengers shall assemble and come to aid you in any manner that you need.

To Join:

Send us an Ask with the oath:

"I, [insert your username], solemnly swear that I will come to a book-blogger’s aid when I see that they’re in trouble, or if they ask, even if I don’t necessarily agree with their opinion. I shall defend their right to read what they want, and how they want to, as well as their right to have their own opinion on their own blog."

Or we shall send you an invite. Please give us time to add everyone before resending a request.

——

* Just to make it clear: constructive criticism is not bullying nor is giving an opinion.

[bookvengers]

You can't really go wrong with Harry Potter :) glad we could help!

I'm having problems getting into reading again. I used to read a lot in elementary and middle school, but since high school, I haven't had a lot of time to read. It's finally summer, so I'm trying to start reading for fun again, but I've lost my passion for it. Any advice would be appreciated.

First, you have to remember that reading is not the only way stories can be told. Movies and TV series are also stories, just like books, and you can enjoy them just as much. 

However, losing passion for reading is very common, especially after you’ve been very busy. I myself am currently in the middle of final University exams and I have no energy or desire to take up a book. And that’s OK.

What I suggest is to try and remember why you loved reading in the first place. Was it the escape it provided? The love for stories? The ability to relate to characters? Or did you simply love the written word? For many readers, it is a combination of the above factors. Think about what makes a story great for you and try and remember the way it felt back then. One of the ways to do that is to re-read your childhood and/or teenage favourites and refamiliarise yourself with how much you used to love them. If that works, you can branch out to other books. I don’t know what kinds of things you used to be into but I’d suggest not to jump into bulky classics straightaway (but more power to you if you think it’ll work for you!) If re-reading old favourites doesn’t do it for you, here are my recommendations for beating the reading slump:

- Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins for a cute summery romancey read

- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell to help you rekindle your love affair with books

- A Northern (Gathering) Light by Jennifer Donnelly for a book-loving heroine to be related to

- The Neverending Story by Michael Ende for a world literally contained in a neverending book

- Misery Loves Company by Rene Gutteridge - it’s not a young adult book but it has personally helped me with a reading slump. 

Fellow bookvengers, what are your get-out-of-a-reading-slump remedies? 

[bookvengers]

The side Ask link is not working.

Thankfully, the top Ask link is working.

Please use the top link for asks until the issue is resolved, thank you.

[bookvengers]

1. I feel like reblogging the picture of the TIFOS spoiler actually increases their cause and ruins it for anyone yet to see the movie or read the book. 2. Your Ask button on the side takes you to the About section.

1. I think, I believe, and hope that most people have enough common sense to realize that they're about to be spoiled and stop reading the second they see it. It's tagged properly with spoilers. So I do not agree, especially because it's not the original post or tweet.

2. Thanks for letting me know. BUT I DON"T KNOW WHAT"S HAPPENING!! Everything is linked properly and I don't know why it's not working.

[bookvengers]

see this?

see how funny and cute that is? and how it’s making a statement about seeing the movie before reading the book, without being condescending or disrespectful?

now see this?

shaming people for seeing the movie first is not okay. i said it earlier, and i’ll say it again: some people don’t like to read. some people can’t read. and some people might not be aware of the book-version before they go to see the movie. and it really isn’t okay to spoil the ending for those people, as if you have a bigger right to the story than they do.

okay?

okay.