Tag Archives: Book Discussion

Book Talk: Are Book Groups Worth It?

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Hey Bookworms, sorry if you are hearing too much from me this week, but I’ve had a lot of topics I have been wanting to talk about lately. So I hope this brain dump/ vent isn’t too much of a hassle to read.

As you all know we have been in a pandemic, so I have been trying to find other ways to be social especially when it comes to books, but recently. I’ve had a bit of a negative experience. Let me start off by saying this is a Facebook group for women, that I decided to join, as female friendship has been something I have missed the most as much as I adore my boyfriend there are things I miss having a girl to talk to, and he doesn’t read much.

Now, before this, I’ve been enjoying the group commenting on group on what others are reading offering opinions, and sharing what I am currently reading. I don’t spend a lot of time on the group admittedly, except for what pops up on my feed. Now a new member had proudly posted how many books she read last month and was curious to know how many others in the group have read? This reader had posted she had read somewhere in the 30’s, so I happily go to post I read 19 (at that point so far), and boy did I get caught up in the comments.

Some were mild saying they didn’t like seeing the numbers as it made them feel pressured or anxious, both valid feelings, but in my opinion, not exactly nice to guilt a new member with making others feel bad. The worst comment though on this poor reader was “she must not have a job or know how to adult correctly, or only be reading audio books” that comment was too far. I was completely aghast. I was so angry, I was shaking. Now, the original poster did respond that she is currently, working, and explained how she managed her reading.

What made me upset about this though is that the job comment was made in this climate of the world. We are in a global pandemic, in which many have been laid off, some have been forced to stop working due to medical implications or living with ones at risk and needing to quarantine to keep loved ones safe, their jobs that they felt would always be needed may have ended there is a never ending list. It is disgusting to read this ablest, bullsh*t.

Now, with my disability, I am contributing as best as I can to the working world. Although I know many can’t work in the typical way, or do a “9-5”, and I can face facts that this may not be something I can always do in society’s norms. It broke my heart that someone who did not know this person’s situation or life to make assumption.

The next part of the comment that bothered me is the “adulting” assumption. The fact that the typical assumption, is having children, living on your own, etc. This is also something many people cannot do or choose not to do. Some with disabilities, cannot safely live on their own, people in general may choose not to have kids or can’t have them. There is no way to determine the normal way to adult. For me it is living with my parents, paying them rent, saving up a future with my LDR partner, taking care of 2 adorable fur babies, trying to get my creativity as well as my self back, and figuring out what I want to do for a day job while maintaining my own mental and when I can physical health. Now don’t get wrong, I do get jealous at times of social medias images of adulting or seeing where others are in their journey, but my journey is only for me to decide.

Last but not least, “she must be only reading audio books”. If you have been following me for the last 2 years at minimum, you will know that audio books are my primary form of reading lately. Reading Audio Books IS READING. YOU are still taking in the story, analyzing, getting lost in words and worlds. E-books are books, even if you can’t get the new book smell. It helps making carrying all the books that your back or shoulders may not easily be able to accommodate. Paper and hard backs are reading which is the most classic way where you can get lost in the sound of pages turning, the smell of ink, and an excuse to wander book store isles.

Why in this day and age are we being judged by how we are choosing to read. We should be praising and encouraging each other for reading no matter how we choose to do it or how we find the time to read. It can be our greatest way of coping, facing, and escaping the hardships of the real world. Reading can save a child from hardships of getting away from abuse, can give teens an escape from the bullying they may face for 6-8 hours a day, it can give EVERYONE company in the current isolation in the world as we try to keep each other safe.

I don’t know if this post even makes sense, but I needed to put words to the screen. I am hoping this experience was a once off. As bookworms can tend to be those who may have been picked on at some point in their lives, bullying in a book group was something I least expected. Does anyone have a group they can recommend instead, or how to deal with people like this? Has anyone had or seen similar experiences? Please let me know in the comments below, this is something I dearly NEED to have a conversation about. Anywho, as always Happy Reading Bookworms, please stay safe both mentally and physically.

Book Talk: I decided to do a reading challenge!

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Hey Bookworms! Hope you are all staying safe, it is blustery and windy here, so since I can’t enjoy the outdoors, why not blog? So, I decided end of last year, to do a reading challenge. It is something I have skirted for years due to fear and pressure. This year it’s time to face my fears, now, how did I go about deciding it?

Now I know the normal and most popular is the Popsugar Reading Challenge, so I thought why not look into it? And dang if my mouth didn’t drop, the amount of this list was unbelievable. Not only that, it would take a lot of research, I mean an author that shares my zodiac sign?! What am I supposed to do, hop on Twitter and ask who else is a fish (Pisces)??? Now not saying I won’t do some of these books, if I run out of ideas of what to read, but I feel my reading challenge shouldn’t take more work than reading the actual books, themselves.

So where did I head to next? Pinterest, anyone else, still sometimes obsessed with pinning? I found one that felt doable and most importantly, I found a friend to keep me accountable. One of my best LDR reading friends and a big sister figure who I adore, who has been there for me during all the chaos, Julia.

Since January has past, I will post, what I read last month along with some of my thoughts, and what I plan to read next month.

January

To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee

Now to be honest when trying to think of a book I read in school, I was drawing a blank. So, I texted Julia who kindly texted me some ideas. One of them was this, obviously, now this is a book that I didn’t read in school, and I figured since she read it in school it counted? I am so glad I picked this up especially with the climate of today’s world. This book shows that we haven’t addressed enough of the discrimination of the world, we may have taken steps, but if last year has shown us anything it is that we need to do more to make a change. The fact that children are more open to the struggles than adults are who often times choose to turn a blind eye is so important. We definitely need to do better.

Now what’s next you may ask, I thought about it, wondering about which books I was jealous of books that others read in school that I haven’t yet. I thought and thought and then I went on the path of author’s I’ve read and wanted more of. Who better than the lovely Oscar Wilde? Who’s quotes speak to me in volumes as someone of the queer community that had to stay hidden. Ding, Ding, Ding, I had a winner.

February

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

Now, I haven’t started it yet, as it just became available at the library and I am currently trying to finish this book before starting another. At least when in the same format, so if you all are interested, I will write about it next month, when I figure out what I am reading for my birth month. If anyone has any tips on how to find books that came out last year let me know as I am horrible at release dates.

Anywho that’s all for now bookworms, are any of you doing any reading challenges, what do you think of the Popsugar Challenge or reading challenges in general? Have you read the first two on the list? Are you doing a challenge? If so please let me know and link yourself down below, I’d be more than happy to follow your progress! As always Happy Reading and Stay Safe!