Book Shame

Posted on 28th March 2012
in Blog
by Erin Blakemore

“Dirty” books. “Trashy” novels. “Fluffy” ways to spend your time. The more I get into this crazy world of being an author (and an author with a loudly-announced love of classic books), the more book shame I see all around me.

There seems to be a barely-articulated expectation that as a published author I decry all books that can’t be classified as Serious Novels (notwithstanding the fact that lots of women’s fiction is not seen as “serious” in their eyes). Even worse, there seems to be an expectation from both genders that women should be ashamed of their reading. Add a drop of 50 Shades of Gray and a dose of secretive Kindle reading, and I think we’ve got an epidemic on our hands!

Lest you think I’m above knocking my own reading habits, consider this: The other day, I was looking for a piece of light reading while waiting for an appointment and decided on a popular, made-into-a-movie-perhaps-starring-Meryl-Streep-as-an-Anna-Wintour-esque-harpy-boss bestseller…and found myself shielding the Kindle from passers-by. What, I ask, is up with that?

I’m sure it would be best if we all spent all of our precious reading hours elevating ourselves with amazing prose and brilliant erudition, but sometimes a girl just wants to read…whatever she feels like reading. To me, the choice of a book is as personal as any other choice (and mine alone to make). When we decry our reading in front of others, we teach them to question their own impulses and choices and plant the seeds of shame in our daughters and friends.

I’m bringing this up because it’s coming up in various parts of my reading and writing life. I’m doing some work right now that reminds me how dramatic and incredible the opportunity to freely read truly is (how’s that for grammar?!). Women’s reading and writing were nothing short of revolutionary for a long time, given constraints on subjects considered appropriate for ladies. It makes me feel ornery and a bit mad at myself. And so I ask you to talk to me about shame and reading.

Are you ashamed of your reading habits? If so, why? Help me figure this out.

Tags: books, classics, literature, reading, shame, the heroine's bookshelf

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Lesley Mitchell

*shrug*

No, I’m absolutely not ashamed of my reading habits. Whether it’s trashy sci-fi or porn, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be reading it.

To hell with other people’s opinions, at least I’m actually reading!BTW, what is it with people asking what you’re reading on your kindle (particularly when reading alone in restaurants or cafés)? I have every intention of telling the next nosy person that it’s gay male porn, whatever it happens to be at the time, and watching the reaction.
- http://www.theheroinesbookshelf.com Erin Blakemore
  
  a) This put a huge smile on my face.
  b) If one more person asks me what I’m reading, I’m going to burst! I could be reading the Magna Carta and I’d still feel instant embarrassment for no reason other than the fact that I’m being inquisitioned.
http://www.facebook.com/windbarb Barb Mayes Boustead

SO true! I feel guilty when I’m not reading “quality” material. But sometimes it just feels good to read something light and breezy, something that makes me smile or sigh or giggle a little.
- http://www.theheroinesbookshelf.com Erin Blakemore
  
  Yup. It’s necessary.
AmyB

Sometimes you feel like mac ‘n cheese, sometimes you feel like filet mignon.
- http://www.theheroinesbookshelf.com Erin Blakemore
  
  Love this.
Iluviwg

I am! I love YA para/divergent books…. and I am 31! But it is light, not to smutty, easy reading, and like junk food for my brain. I hate when people say “What are you reading……”
- http://www.theheroinesbookshelf.com Erin Blakemore
  
  You’re never too old for YA! I am ready for that trope to die already. Junk food has its place, non?
http://crazylilcuban.tumblr.com/ Jessica M.

I definitely feel the book shame, but have tried to give up caring. I’m in law school right now so most of my time is spent reading super dense legal materials. Sometimes a girl just needs a break! I read lots of YA, especially dystopians, and kid lit because they’re enjoyable and a good break for my brain in comparison to court opinions.

I also totally hate when people ask what I’m reading on my Nook, especially when it’s a stranger. Not because I’m ashamed of what I’m reading, but because it’s so weird to be interrogated about it in public, particularly because I’m inevitably reading a book the person doesn’t know anything about and they want to play 20 questions. Sheesh.
- http://www.theheroinesbookshelf.com Erin Blakemore
  
  Laughing at the idea of Literary 20 Questions. Breaks are good…especially if you’re in law school! How do you like Nook, btw?
  - http://crazylilcuban.tumblr.com/ Jessica M.
    
    I really like my Nook! I had the original one and now I have the touch one (the regular e-reader, not the tablet kind) and I’ve liked both of them. I was one of those people who was so convinced at first that I would never own an e-reader, but it’s just so convenient and easy to carry and I love it.
http://twitter.com/katiengibson Katie Noah Gibson

I’m always curious about what people are reading on their e-readers – but that’s mostly because I’m a nosy book-lover! I’ve struggled not to feel ashamed of reading “fluffy” books sometimes – but I love AmyB’s food analogy. All the genres I love have their places in my “diet.”
- http://www.theheroinesbookshelf.com Erin Blakemore
  
  As well they should
Hen Scratches

Not really. As Jane Austen said in Northanger Abbey,
“It is only a novel… or, in short, only
some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the
most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its
varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world
in the best-chosen language.”Even so-called trash novels can do that.
- http://www.theheroinesbookshelf.com Erin Blakemore
  
  LOVE this quote.
Julie

I think (hope, pray) that the author of this article means to be ironic, but it made me think of this post. This is a debate in which I (as an English major with a passion for children’s literature) have often had to participate. Book shaming pops up a lot in both academic and leisure reading!

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/03/28/the-power-of-young-adult-fiction/adults-should-read-adult-books
- http://www.theheroinesbookshelf.com Erin Blakemore
  
  Blood pressure…rising…
- Lesley Mitchell
  
  Oh, good grief. How entirely up himself can he be?!
Bronzer

I began reading books that would make most people blush when I found out my husband’s cancer was back and had spread. I was obviously scared, stressed, and sad. The books were my outlet. They helped me take my mind off of the sadness that kept me up at night. My husband passed away a few months ago now, and I am reading more than ever! It’s my safety blanket, my way of coping, and certainly my outlet. I don’t know what it is, but when this tragedy hit my family, (we have a 5 year old too), I set some of my other books down and got hooked on the so-called “trashier” ones. I’d like to say I don’t care who knows, but honestly I do. I can’t help it. )
- http://www.theheroinesbookshelf.com Erin Blakemore
  
  I am so glad you shared, Bronzer (and am so sorry for your loss). I truly believe that reading is redemptive and vital to mental health, and I’m glad you hit on the types of books your brain needs to escape and heal itself.

Book Shame

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