Myths About Readers – debunked

My entire life, there had seemed to be a divide between readers and those who don’t read. As with anything else, people who aren’t readers are crazy have these preconceived notions or myths about those of us who do read. Today I wanted to do something a little different and talk about a few that I’ve heard about.

 

Let’s debunk these reader myths!

 

1) Readers are all nerds

Now, being a nerd is not an insult, I’m not sure why some people think it is. However, I know many readers who just aren’t into nerdy things and that is completely fine. I am a bit nerdy but not every reader you come across love Harry Potter, D&D, Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Star Wars, etc. Don’t assume we all do.

 

 

2) People only read because they have to

Most of us read because we enjoy it. True, traditional school forces us to read books, many that we might not choose for ourselves. This doesn’t mean that we are forced to read all the time. Book bloggers might feel this way at times though. The need to read popular or highly sought after books can be a little daunting. If this is you, keep in mind that this blog is for you…do this for you and just be yourself. Try not to pressure yourself so much that you are causing undue stress.

 

 

 

3) You are only a reader if you read books

This couldn’t be further from the truth. You can listen to books, read comics or graphic novels. Heck, you can read the newspaper every morning and that would be considered reading. Reading is not limited to physical copies of novels. In today’s world, there are so many different ways to read and they should all be accepted.

 

 

 

4) Reading books is too expensive

Check out my post Reading on a Budget. True, reading could become an expensive hobby but it doesn’t need to be. There are so many tools at our disposal, we only need to take advantage of them. Now, I am not saying everyone has access to the same tools. I am aware readers overseas are at a disadvantage when it comes to obtaining access to books.

 

 

5) Readers are intellectual introverts (antisocial stuck up snobs)

Again…so not true. Most of us are outgoing introverts. We love to read but we equally love being able to talk to others…mostly about books. Readers are like any other group of people…diverse. Some might fit into this snobbish category but I have yet to meet one. The bookish community has been nothing but warm and welcoming since I began interacting within it. I’ve actually made some amazing friends that I’ve slowly been growing closer to.

 

 

 

6) People, especially kids, don’t like to get books for gifts (Christmas, etc)

Anyone who knows me automatically knows what I’ll ask for as gifts for any holiday…books. It became a tradition when I was a child; every Christmas my father would buy me at least two books. He knew that I loved them. Both of my boys get books for gifts and they love them as well. Giving a book as a gift is like giving someone an adventure to go on while they sit in bed wrapped in a warm blanket. Granted, books aren’t for everyone and that is alright. Don’t force a book on someone who doesn’t want it. I am a firm believer though that if you say you don’t enjoy reading you just haven’t found the right book for you yet.

 

 

 

7) Nobody uses the library anymore

I used to think this, especially with the growing ability to simply buy books online or read free ebooks, etc. Every single time I go to the library there are at least a handful of people there. I do agree it is underutilized by those who have access to one though. They offer so much more than the chance to borrow books. They host activities, you can borrow movies, videogames, etc. It is a magical place that many people still take advantage of.

 

 

8) Young people don’t read

Um….no, wrong. My 8-year-old son reads, my 2-year-old loves being read to, and there is a huge community of young readers. There might be some misconception about newer generations not reading because of technology. I would like to argue that this actually makes it easier for younger people to read. There is a huge community of teen book bloggers who love reading as much as many adults I know. Reading is a hobby enjoyed by people of all ages.

 

 

 

9) You can’t learn anything from fiction novels

Fiction novels teach valuable life lessons that nonfiction books fail to show us. They take us on adventures where we battle demons, test our friendships, learn to be careful who we trust, struggle with mental illness, etc. The limits to what lessons you can learn from underlying messages in books are endless. Just because it is an elf battling internal depression does not make the lesson within any less real. Beauty and the Beast…um hello, I’m looking at you for lessons. I learned from this book when I was a very young age.

 

 

10) You have no time to read

Even if you only take 5 minutes a day…you have time to read. Turn off the screen, put down your phone, stay off of Twitter and Facebook…take that time to read instead. I am a stay at home mom of two, book blogger, freelance proofreader and editor, commercial beekeeper, safety and compliance officer and office manager of my father in-law’s trucking company…yet I still manage to find time to read somehow. That is a mystery to me but I did make a post about finding time to read here.

 

 

 

11) Your opinion on the book doesn’t matter

REVIEW YOUR BOOKS! Even if it is only a star rating…review it. These reviews are so vital to the author and readers alike. Some companies won’t even look at your book unless you have at least 20 Amazon reviews. As a reader, I look at both positive and negative reviews before I read it. I like to see both sides of the story. So yes, your opinion does matter…even if you hated the book, tell us.

 

 

 

12) Reading isn’t an activity

To read you have to first look at the page, see the letters, your eyes send signals to your brain to translate. Your brain sends signals back to your eyes and eventually, you find out you see the word ‘THE.’ Reading requires concentration and your brain needs to work overtime. If it is a good book, you visualize as you read. Exciting parts make your heart race while sad parts make you cry. No, you aren’t running laps…though you can read an ebook or listen to an audiobook while running on a treadmill. You are however using one of the most important parts of your body…your brain. So yes, it is an activity.

 

 

 

13) readers never watch TV

Lies!! I enjoy some shows on TV. Do I prefer reading…yes but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy watching TV. It allows my eyes to rest and I can shut down and relax. Sometimes a book is so fast paced or emotional, I just need to take a break. I will say that many readers prefer not to watch movies or shows based on books because 99% of the time the book is always better.

 

 

14) readers are anti-technology

These days, many readers use e-readers or listen to audiobooks. Readers adapt like anyone else. Technology makes reading more accessible at times. Although, we do prefer to read a book over staring at a computer screen… sometimes we get sucked into Twitter.

 

 

 

15) readers are disconnected from reality

I wish…well maybe this is true at times. Reading is an escape from reality, allowing me to live many lives. This doesn’t mean I am disconnected from real life. I do watch the news and I am aware of what is going on. I think readers might be more aware of what is happening because we like to stand for what we believe in. We also like addressing issues we see in reality in stories that we read.

 

 

 

16) readers have no life

This is the complete opposite actually. Readers have many lives. When you immerse yourself into a good book, you experience the journey alongside the characters. You aren’t reading the words but living the story instead. When it comes to reality…we all have lives. As mentioned above, I have a very busy life. I know people who are in college, moms, in high school, have full-time jobs. We all have different backgrounds but we can be united by reading.

 

 

 

 

There you have it…some myths about readers, debunked. Have you ever heard someone say any of these? Which of these do you feel most strongly about? Do you know of any others we could add to the list? Do you think there is really that big of a divide between those who read and don’t? I know that non-readers don’t understand my excitement over a book. I’ve even heard someone say…”It’s just a book.” I wish I could tell you how upset that makes me at times but you’ll probably understand.

 

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Thank you again for stopping in to read this new post here on The Bibliophagist. I would love to hear what you are currently reading and your thoughts on that book so far.