#the superiority thing is so truly genuinely unbelievably exhausting but it’s how some people get through the day so idk idc | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

acotars · 1 year

Note

(I have no idea if this will make sense—sorry I’ve had some wine this evening and so I’m rambling)

I think this is a “popular” opinion but not widespread—people need to understand that there is so much nuance to reading. Obviously there’s the “you can like things I don’t like” and vice versa, but also in HOW people enjoy things. Like take Fourth Wing (I know I know), but while I also agree with a lot of the complaints, I still was just like “that was a fun time, I totally ignored all the sex scenes bc I hate how they were written, but I was vibing the whole time.” And I feel like some people would still respond to my opinion like “okay but it was so horrible how did you even enjoy it at all??? Lame”

Like okay Betty, I love high fantasy as much as you, but sometimes I want something that just fucks, okay?

(and not to say you aren’t allowed to not like things, but there seems to be a fine line between “hey! I didn’t like this but that’s okay” and “I hated this and I CANNOT comprehend why ANYONE could find even an inkling of fun from this + I’m going to subtly implicate that I think people who like this are stupid”) (obviously not for books that are objectively hurtful or offensive)

And of course you can go so many different ways than just that example, but it’s a mix of gate-keeping, prejudice, lack of empathy, and a bit of a superiority complex that makes it so hard for the reading community to really be united.

#you are SO right i’m glad you’re saying it #the superiority thing is so truly genuinely unbelievably exhausting but it’s how some people get through the day so idk idc #but yeah i’ve had irls scoff and laugh at my bookshelf and i’m like dude. i’m 24 years old ok like #i don’t need to play weird childish games about who’s better for reading what #i like it and it’s bad vs. it’s good and not for me vs. i don’t like it and i think it’s bad vs. it’s good and i love it? all valid!!#all real!!! and where a book falls on that axis will be different for every single person!!#i read a good amount of literary fiction and as an amateur writer i usually like it because it’s so fun to read invested writing like that #but ALSO! i usually have a lot more FUN reading a romance novel or a silly fantasy series #and i read primarily for entertainment and not for educational value. and that’s okay!#it’s so bizarre because you don’t see people scoffing when someone watches the walking dead instead of a documentary or like the letter M #but as soon as someone reads for entertainment above anything else it’s a waste of time and they’re stupid.#this feels entirely unrelated to your ask but i’ve wanted to talk about it for too long #and IVE HAD WINE TOO #i agree w you wholeheartedly though and i’m glad you sent this #anon #asked and answered #hot takes

3 notes · View notes