Are you a book snob?
By Foxfire1875
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
March 27, 2008 11:40am CST
I must admit I am a bit of a book snob, I definitely prefer books that are well written and classified as literature, that doesn't mean I won't read anything else. I have read Harry Potter and Dan Brown books and still love fantasy, sci-fi and horror.
I never really thought about my choice of books until I got into a conversation with a work mate who said they were a reader but they read totally different books to me. At that time I was in a Charles Dickens phase and they were reading a Catherine Cookson, no disrespect to anybody who loves these books but they aren't literature.
So do you only read literature or best sellers or will you read anything?
4 people like this
5 responses
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I like the classics and what I call "literary best sellers. Basically they are modern novels that are literature - eg. THE SECRET HISTORY by Donna Tart, THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES by Sue Monk Kid, THEM By Nathan McCall etc. Not that many people read those kinds of books and it's a shame because they are much better than the runaway best sellers. However, I do have a weakness for mystery "cozies".
1 person likes this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
30 Mar 08
There are a lot of books that get missed as publishers plug certain books/authors. It's good to see that you look past that and that I'm not the only one.
I don't buy any more but do borrow from the library as many of the modern/classic literature that I can find, not that there's that much as libraries are tending to go for the best sellers.
I'll have a look for those three though.
I do have a weakness for sci-fi and not just the well written ones.
I'll have a look for those three though.
I do have a weakness for sci-fi and not just the well written ones.
@swirlz (3136)
• Philippines
10 Apr 08
I am a big fan of Mary Higgins Clark. She writes good suspense thrillers. I guess that's why she's popular nowadays, because she almost always write good stories (I can't tell for sure, because I haven't read all her works).
That's really how it is with the industry. I guess with every industry. You have to fight for a position at the top. Even if you're really talented, you still have to work hard for exposure.
1 person likes this
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
10 Apr 08
I do have a thing against the popular authors like Patterson, Mary Higgins Clark, Evanovich, Grisham-- because they get so much press and Im sure theres many up and coming authors that have great stories waiting to be heard but you would know because of this. I do not have anything personal against the authors but just the marketing. I will probably check out one or two of their books one day but not in the near future unless its King or Weiner.
1 person likes this
@Farside604 (870)
• Canada
30 Mar 08
Im totally the same way. Atleast for right now im reading all the classics i can get my hand on. I dont know if its a phase but i find that the classics are not only better written but they have alotmore depth to them. I feel like today it is really hard to find a god book. I dont feel that enough great bookd are being written today instead there are a bunch of books purely meant to sell.
1 person likes this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
30 Mar 08
There is a lot of rubbish, which I tend to label best sellers, as they are most likely to fall into that category as publishers are telling people what to buy, rather than letting people decide for themselves.
I doubt it's a phase as mine has lasted all my life. I think it's down to depth of character and plot with classics.
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
10 Apr 08
I have a really old copy of Charles Dicken's Great Expectation that I hope to read and one thing I think might lead me to literature is the mini books in Barnes and Nobles, I was looking through The Aeneid and really felt like it was a interesting read and it could fit into my pocket! Im really thinking about collecting these now that their in the Bargain section for 3$, they might even end up in dollar stores as I have seen alot of newer books ending up there.
1 person likes this
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
2 Apr 08
I like well written books too but in the past I confess I did read a lot of Virginia Andrews books (Flowers In The Attic etc) I read everything she wrote, but I draw the line at the "New Virginia Andrews" books that aren't actually written by her just written in the style she used.
I don't spend enough time reading books like I used to anymore now I use the Internet so much, it's kind of replaced reading the printed word for me.
1 person likes this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
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10 Apr 08
I use the internet a lot but there is nothing like sitting and reading a book at least for me that is. Sometimes the computer screen can make my eyes too tired and it is uncomfortable to read sitting at a desk.
I didn't know the Virginia Andrews books were that popular that they had to produce books in the style of.
@kellys3ps (3723)
• United States
30 Mar 08
I am also a bit of a book snob myself. I prefer to read literature. Every once in awhile I will read somk "junk books", but very rarely.
1 person likes this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
•
2 Apr 08
Sometimes it is nice to read something, that you don't have to think much about. Not all the time as I like to be challenged when I read.
@Breath (1297)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I have had this love affair with words and books since I was old enough to understand how to write.I will read anything also.I just love to read and write period.I of course like most people seem to be drawn in different areas.I love Stephen King.I have read almost everything he has ever writen.To me a book doesn't have to be a best seller if it pulls me into the pages I am hooked.If I go into a book store or library I will be wondering forever.The writen word is beautiful and I love all forms.
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
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30 Mar 08
You're right the most important thing about any book is that it does draw you in and it doesn't have to be a classic to do that.
I try and avoid book shops these days as I can't afford to buy books at the moment.
