I was looking through books yesterday at the shops and saw all the Twilight books, which I know basically nothing about. What I do know is that I’m beginning to feel like I’m the *only* person who knows nothing about them.
Despite being almost broke and trying to save money, I almost bought the expensive book (Australian book prices are often completely nutty) just because I felt the need to be ‘up’ on what everyone else was reading.
Have you ever felt pressured to read something because ‘everyone else’ was reading it? Have you ever given in and read the book(s) in question or do you resist? If you are a reviewer, etc, do you feel it’s your duty to keep up on current trends?
I am a contrary soul. I always have been, but it's no surprise since I come from a long line of contrary souls. I am particularly contrary when it comes to my reading. I don't join book challenges of any sort because I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it. People have been trying their best to get me to join all sorts of reading challenges, but their best just isn't good enough. That "read what I want to read when I want to read it" holds true for the latest crazes in the publishing world. I'll read a craze only if it's something I truly want to read. If I'm not interested in it, I might feel a bit proud of myself for being the only bookaholic in the world not to have read it. See? Told you I was contrary!
The only times I've felt pressured in my reading are:
- in school when I had to read something I didn't want to (I still hold a grudge against George Eliot and Silas Marner)
- when Life hits me like an eighteen-wheeler and I can't find a spare moment to read--we addicts can get ugly when we're jonesing for a fix
I've found that having a book blog now has fired a desire in me to keep closer track of publishing trends, but I don't feel a desire to pack up my piccolo and follow the band. I belong to a LibraryThing group for book bloggers. One of the discussion threads asks us book bloggers what our niche is. I know what my niche is--rather eclectic with a strong focus on mysteries. I read--and talk about--books and happenings in the book world that interest me. I am a contrary soul, but I seem to be finding others as I continue to blog!
I like the way you think:
ReplyDelete"I want to read what I want to read when I want to read it."
Does that mean you're contrary, too? :-)
ReplyDeleteMass popularity about a book or series of books generally makes me curious, but I don't necessarily feel pressured, not like I need to keep up with the Book-Jones's or anything. Whenever I have been curious enough to read the latest flavor of the month, as often as not I'm disappointed. Since Meyer's books seem to dwell on fantasy and romance (from what I've heard anyway), I doubt I will ever read them. Because my niche is crime fiction with occasional forays into nautical fiction and nonfiction history.
ReplyDeleteI just commented on someone else's blog, Corey, that the more hyped a book is, the less apt I am to read it. There are exceptions of course, but years can pass before I read them. I've lost count of the times I've read a wildly hyped book and been vastly underwhelmed. That aside, you and I seem to have similar tastes in what we do like to read.
ReplyDeleteWell said, and I like your style! I also like the style of your blog. Thanks for visiting TeaReads, too.
ReplyDeleteFantastic answer!
ReplyDeleteI too only read what I want, when I want. But people call me stubborn (contrary sounds so much classier :) lol)
I guess I'm a little contrary, too. I really prefer to read for my own pleasure, not because I feel any outside pressure or compulsion. Personally, though, I've found that joining a few reading challenges is a good way to keep myself reading without really limiting my choices too much.
ReplyDeleteI NEVER have a problem keeping myself reading. My problem has always been making myself stop! LOL
ReplyDelete