Friday, September 13, 2019

Discussion: Not a Fangirl


This Week’s Topic: NOT a Fangirl



I love being part of this amazing community of readers, but I often feel on the fringes of it too. One thing that I think is great about the community is something I don't actually subscribe to, and that my friends is the whole out and out fandom fangirling portion of it.

This is not a new thing for me. I was never good at being a fan. In my youth, I didn't hang lots of posters or read fanzines or wear shirts featuring my favorite star/movie/band/etc. I have been at events and not even realized I was in close proximity to someone "famous", because I had no idea what they looked like.

As far as reader fandoms go, I admire people's passion, but I never partake.

  1. I never re-read books. I think it's awesome, if you love a book or a series so much, that you have read it 10 times, but I would rather read 10 new books. 
  2. I don't purchase swag. Yes, you read that correctly. I don't have a the bookmarks, the book sleeves, the Funkos, or any other book related merchandise. It probably has something to do with the Spartan way I decorate, but I also do not feel compelled to make those purchases. 
  3. I don't buy multiple versions of a book, in fact, I usually don't even buy the book. I either get access to a galley or a borrow from the library. I read and enjoy the story, but I don't need to have a copy of it in my house forever. Again, this could be, because I am not a fan of clutter, or because I am very cheap, but I do think it also has a little to do with my non-fangirlish personality. 
  4. I don't follow many authors on social media platforms. There are a few I follow, but the number is low, and most are mutuals. They are just people to me, though, they are talented people and have created something I really appreciate. 
  5. When books are adapted, I never feel the passion of others, when it comes to how closely it compares to the book. I think it's cool, when people can call out each difference (my kid can do that), but I honestly don't notice the little details the way some professional fans do. 
So, though I am a book lover, and am always excited to talk about books, I am a terrible fangirl and elect to leave it to the professionals. 


Now it's your turn!

Do you consider yourself a book fanatic? 
Let us know in the comments!

49 comments:

  1. I relate to a lot of these, Sam - everything except rereading, which I love to do. It makes me so happy to reread my favorites. :) I've never seen the point of swag, or bookish items - most of them are just for decoration, and would simply collect dust in my room, not to mention that funkos and the likes are quite pricey. The only books I have multiple versions of - Uprooted, Gone Girl, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - I owned the English copies before purchasing a Hungarian copy, so my mom could read it. Actually, only Uprooted counts, because she never finished it + I in part bought it because the Hungarian edition is gorgeous, and so that's on my shelf. Similarly to swag, multiple copies seem like a waste of money to me, to be honest, and a waste of space. *hides* I also don't follow many authors, and I tend to be able to distance the book and its adaptation from each other, so I don't even try to compare them that closely. Great discussion!

    Veronika @ Wordy and Whimsical

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    1. I understand people finding comfort in rereading a favorite. I think it's just the way I am programmed. I don't rewatch shows or movies either. I never feel like I have enough time, and I want to fill it with a new experience. Buying a book in your native language (once available) doesn't seem like overkill at all, and I will admit, seeing all those editions of a book together is breathtaking. Just because something isn't my thing, doesn't mean I cannot understand the draw for others.

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  2. I relate to numbers 2-5. I don't purchase swag as well because I'm the type to lose interest in collecting these kinds of things and when I'm in that situation, I'd just think about the things I could've spend on instead that will likely last so much longer than these swags. I don't do the buying of multiple versions anymore. I remember back then when I had the paperback copies of the Bloodlines series but because of my love for the books and Sydney Sage, I decided to buy the hardback copies as well. I don't regret it though since I love looking at them on my shelves but would I do something like that again? Not really. I don't follow authors period. Instead, I made a list on Twitter for my favorite authors. That way, I'm still updated without having my timeline filled with random retweets. A lot of my favorite authors like to RT stuff I'm not even fond of so nah. I STRONGLY AGREE ABOUT ADAPTATIONS. Like right now, people are so excited for the Grishaverse to be adapted to a TV series. And I'm just here in my little corner trying to block out everything about it. Like why.. why do so many books lately are getting adaptations.. is it necessary.. can it just stay in the literary world..

    Anyway, the only thing I can't relate to here is the rereading. I remember rereading some of my favorites back in the day and realized that some aren't really my thing anymore while the others are still a favorite. Plus it kinda brings the nostalgia. It's like listening to a song you haven't listened to in so long.

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    1. Good question. Why are there so many adaptations? For that matter, why so many remakes? Because, people are not creating like they used to for movies and TV, but that's a rant for another day.

      I muted so many authors, because of their retweets and whatnot. I don't even follow them, but my mutuals will like stuff, and it pops up on my feed. Yeesh! I almost wish they kept two Twitter accounts - one for book stuff and one for personal stuff. I got there for bookTwitter, that's all.

      I absolutely understand the aesthetic beauty of those books on the shelves, and you know what they say, if it makes you happy....

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  3. I definitely agree with you about not rereading purchasing multiple editions of a book! I think I am pretty minimalist, but I do enjoy my bookmarks, that's the one swag I'll buy into. I have been following more authors on social media, but only on Instagram - I enjoy seeing what they are up to next and little glimpses into their personal lives. There are so many books being adapted to the big and small screen now, which I find pretty exciting - I enjoy seeing the characters come to life, but I have no interest in picking apart how they differ from the original novels. Great post!

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    1. I don't read a lot of physical books, so bookmarks are not that necessary for me, but I have three magnetic ones for when I do read a physical book, and gosh darn it, they are super cute.

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  4. I do re-read books and often own several versions of the same book. I don't buy more than one paper copy of a book unless it's an accident but I might buy a kindle copy or an audiobook if I want to re-read a book. I will only do this if they are at a huge discount. I never used to re-read books but as I have gotten older, I just don't remember stories like I used to so sometimes a re-read is like reading it for the first time :) I don't buy swag or bookish items. I don't like to spend money on those kinds of things. I have two kids in college right now so I am not buying much for myself. I always mean to watch the movies and shows made from books that I enjoyed but I am not really very good at following through with it. Great discussion, Sam!

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    1. I also have been known to get an ebook of a book I own in physical format. I did that for a lot of ARCs I received at conventions. I am much more likely to read it that way, but I don't buy into the changing covers or foreign editions. It's just not my thing. I think it's good that I don't read too many series, because I forget the finer details of books, but at least the big ideas stick with me.

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  5. I’m right there with you on most of these, Sam. While I do occasionally reread (rarely, but it happens), I’m not big on swag (I abhor clutter and don’t see the point of most of the swag), I don’t care about multiple versions of the same book (it’s the same book regardless of what the cover looks like), and I’m using hazy about details after a period of time. If a movie adaptation makes major plot changes, sure I’ll notice. But the details? *shrugs* No idea. Like you, I love books, I love to read, I definitely get emotionally invested... but the rest of it? Not so much.

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    1. I have been known to note some changes from page to screen, but none have sent me into a tizzy. I watch movies for the same reason I read books - for entertainment. The movie either entertained me or it didn't. It's ok if they changed it, because you cannot translate all however many pages to the screen. Movies have a time limit. I was just reading a negative review for The Goldfinch, where the reviewer lamented that they seemed to included all 900 pages in the movie, and it was NOT a good thing.

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  6. I'm not a fangirl either, Sam. But I do reread books on occasion for the same reasons Carole does. It's hard to remember every little detail after a while.

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    1. My sister and my daughter would reread all the prior books in a series leading up to the new release, so I understand that. I am just too lazy to do it.

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  7. I only re-read if a series I love takes a long time between books. But I have to have LOVED the prior books, so that I will enjoy the re-read as well. Which is why I'm currently re-reading the Three Dark Crown series in preparation for the finale. I was once described as a "library superfan," and I loved that, because I'm definitely a fan of reading and books more than any one aspect of that.

    I'd accept bookish swag in the form of socks or earrings, but even then, I'd prefer a "yay books" theme more than any one fandom. Otherwise, as you said--clutter. I follow more and more authors on Twitter, but not to stalk their progress or anything. Either because they have an interesting Twitter presence, because they're local to me and we're mutuals, or because, yes, I signed up for a giveaway for my classroom that required following the author.

    Great topic for discussion!

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    1. Socks are a soft spot of mine, so I can understand accepting socks. (Knee socks are the best!) I think the only authors I follow are because of giveaways. Hey, I like free stuff. Maybe it's my need to be nondescript, that keeps me from getting into the apparel side of being a bookworm fangirl. Clothing is actually practical, but I am anti logo and such, and just couldn't see myself in anything like that.

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  8. Well Sam you reminded me that I was a very bad fangirl as a teenager: no posters, no queue to go to concerts etc BUT I seem to be a very good fangirl as an adult for all that's book related! Multiple edition? Yes (The Wicked King and Sorcery of Thorns), book merch? Yes: candles mostly and I dream of a custom made funko :-) Men have their midlife crisis chasing young girls (the démon de midi) I seem to have my own mid life crisis LOL

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    1. I love seeing everyone's collections. All those editions side by side look amazing. I don't collect stuff in general, but I can understand why others enjoy it.

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  9. Well seeing as I own like 15 editions of THG and am re-watching The 100 for what has to be at LEAST the 25th time (I lost count), you'd think I can't relate, right? Well. I can on some levels! So, I was the worst fanperson EVER as a kid/teen. I never got the celebrity hype. And I still don't, fully. I think meeting authors is kind of overrated (I mean, they aren't going to remember me, it's a 10 second conversation), and I am still on the fence about even going to Unity Days (The 100 convention) because like- I am not really that into meeting famous people? But meeting fans and listening to panels might be worth it? (Gosh Sam, I could use some advice from a non-fandom person apparently 😂) So it's like- I love things, and I love them HARD but... only a very few things I guess?

    Oh and I only follow authors whose content I generally enjoy. I used to follow ALL the authors when I first started blogging because I thought I was supposed to ha. But then I got REALLY bored so. This is such an awesome discussion topic!

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    1. I love seeing you fangirl all over. I have never watched an episode of the 100, but because of you, I get excited for its return every season. I have always admired all the fans and the passion they have for their fandoms. It's just not in my nature, I guess. Though, I have been known to wax poetic about Einstein and Feynman.

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  10. I'm kind of the same way. I have my favorite books and authors, which I feel like I talk about a lot, but I don't think I fangirl. I do reread, but I've never bought more than one edition of a book. I have very little bookish merch (although some things, like bookmarks or totes, I can never have enough of). Sometimes I feel a little weird that there isn't really anything I'm OBSESSED with, like I'm not a true fan or blogger almost.

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    1. I get very excited when I talk to other readers about books in general, but I am not deeply into any one fandom. I feel like I earn my blogger credit by reading a lot and being aware of all the books that are coming out, but there are niches for us all, and the convention goers/swag collectors/swag creators/etc are all part of this big blog world.

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  11. I've always been a hardcore fangirl - I used to have a favourite singer and I collected everything I could about him, not only records and videos, but also articles, audio recordings, unreleased songs...and I went to see him in concert of course, plus I met him in person a few times. I was pretty feisty, haha. Even though we eventually grew apart, those are some of my fondest memories. I've always been the type of person who NEEDS to say "thank you" to the artists who make my life happier and better. Now I'm more wary of getting close to famous people, because very few of them prove to be what you think they are when seen up close. But I would very much like to meet David Tennant one day, because he seems like the genuine article 😀.

    As for books, I'm a firm believer in rereading - not only because I can't afford many new books or check the ones I blog about from libraries here. But I don't care if covers/editions match (I even own a few series that mix paperbacks with hardcovers!), I don't give a fig about swag, and I only follow a few authors on Twitter - mostly indie/self pub ones I do talk with on a regular basis and who follow me back.

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    1. I love reading/hearing fan-speak, as you did above. I think it's great to have that much enthusiasm for something, and if it brings you joy, why not? I just was never able to make that happen in myself. I did follow a few authors, who followed me, but I had to mute a few of them, because I show up for book stuff, not political rants. The mention of David Tennant reminds me of my daughter's first year of college, when she bragged to her friends that they didn't have a class text with him on the cover.

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    2. For real? What text was it? Shakespeare? Because he's done a number of the bard's plays.

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    3. It was her freshman year text for some drama class (the kid has a BFA in theatre design).

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  12. I think I kind of knew this about you because I know you don't reread (craziness) but it's obvious you're a different kind of reader to some of us. I'm not really one for swag (I tried but it's not for me). I do adore reading though, and very select swag for books I am passionate about (like Harry Potter).

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    1. My thing is always about doing what makes you happy (unless it's illegal), and if rereading makes you happy, do it. I am just about getting to that next book. Some of the swag out there is fabulous, and HP definitely has some amazing offerings. If I was into having stuff, I probably would buy some of that, and I am not even a Potter fan.

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  13. I don't know if I'd consider myself a fangirl, but I have been really passionate about a couple of series': The Twilight Saga, yes, I know it was cheesy, but it was really addictive at the time. I did buy the guides to the movies back in the day, and I think I read the series about 6 or 7 times back then. Not sure what I'd make of the series if I re-read today, though. I can't believe I LOVED a series with a love triangle, lol!

    The second series is movie: the original Star Wars trilogy. With Harrison Ford. I think I watched The Empire Strikes back about 10-15 times at the movie theater! I can't believe my mom took me and dropped me off there so many times because the theater was not close. I guess it kept my sister and I occupied during the summer. I even collected the cards you got with bubble gum. I was only 10 years old at the time, though.

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    1. There is no shame in loving that series, if it brought you enjoyment. *This is a judgment free zone* My sister has that sort of passion for movies (my nephew is in film school), but I don't rewatch movies either. I think I did that more, when I was younger, but it was usually because my friends initiated it. As a kid, I collected TONS of stuff - stickers, stationary, perfume, stamps, coins. I guess the closest I got to a fandom would be my love of Barbie. I gave away a lot of them (original in the box), but kept some of there pricier ones, which are in storage. However, it's been a good 30 years since I've collected anything.

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  14. I didn't use to re-read for the same reason, but lately I've enjoyed re-listening to books I loved.

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    1. I have considered doing re-listens to refresh my memory for the next book in a series, but also, because I have heard good things about some audio versions of books I have already read, which people say, are really great.

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  15. I do enjoy re-reading my favorites and will buy them if I don't own them. I own some fandom merchandise... mostly Harry Potter or Disney-related items. However, I don't buy multiple editions of books {I would rather spend my money on more books or travel} and I follow very few authors on social media. I like some adaptations, don't like some others, but tend to judge the movies on their own merits rather than how closely they represent the books. I'm not sure if this makes me a fangirl or not, but I think I'm at least a little bit of a fangirl.

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    1. Seems HP merch is a must for many. I will say, they do have some great items for that fandom. Same. When I watch an adaptation, I hope they capture the essence of the book, and I understand some stuff needs to be cut due to time constraints, but the one thing I require is that the film entertains me.

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  16. By your criteria I guess I'm totally a fangirl! XD Although I make and sell swag, but I never buy it... I do defintiely buy multiple editions and occasionally re-read. These are definitely habits I've picked up since getting into the blogging community though.

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    1. Hmmmm, maybe you are an even higher status than fangirl since you actually produce swag. 😉 That's interesting, that you have noticed a change in your habits since blogging. I think the only difference for me, since I started blogging, is more interaction on Twitter. I am the old dog, that inspired the saying.

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  17. I do love to re-read and have multiple editions of Harry Potter and A Song Of Ice & Fire but just those two, other than owning audio cd versions and paperbacks of the same book. There are a few things over the years I got obsessed over-Stargate, Buffy, Harry Potter, Lost and more recently Game of Thrones. I collected the action figures, bought bookmarks, T-Shirts and a few nice assorted swag stuff. I do enjoy that, and talking with blogger friends about GoT episodes as they came on was fun.

    But I don't really regard myself as a fangirl. I don't go to conventions, try to meet stars and authors, get signed books, buy everything connected to the fandom, obsess about it, write fan fiction and connect on forums and chat things or comment on social media as an episode is on. I'm too anti-social to be a fangirl!

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    1. My sister is a huge fangirl of things - midnight releases, dressing up to watch the movies, all sorts of swag EVERYWHERE, and I do love and admire her enthusiasm. *laughing* Maybe you just explained why I am a terrible fangirl -- to antisocial. Nailed it!

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  18. I can TOTALLY relate to this post. I will say that I used to be a HUGE fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in my youth, but even then I was never the type of fan who went to conventions or bought tons of swag or rewatched every episode a million times---I just talked about the show a lot and loved every minute of watching it. I DO follow a good number of authors on Twitter, but a lot of them were because I entered giveaways or I just like to occasionally see things they have to say---I'm not like staking any of them or anything. I guess I'm just not a fangirl!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I am awed by those fans, who can name episodes and cite lines. That's just a level of dedication I never had. I used to follow a ton of authors due to entering contests, but I had done some cleaning up and just kept the mutuals.

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  19. I'm right there with you on many of these. I rarely re-read and I never buy swag. The only books I have multiple versions of are books where I had a scribbled on copy I used in college and then wanted a clean, pretty one for my collections. I do like adaptations but usually accept them for what they are and don't pay too much attention to where they veer from the books. I think I only really "fangirl" when my favorite authors have new books coming out.

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    1. I low-key fangirl. I do CWW/WOW post and pimp my new books every Sunday, but that seems like nothing next to all the stuff I seen the "professional fans" do. I can see wanting an unannotated copy for your library, though, I bet it's cool looking back on some of your notes.

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  20. I'm the same. I can really love something but the experience of enjoying it that one time is good enough. I got a lot of swag through blogging and ended up with so many signed books because of conferences and I just don't care. I pass on most of my books too now.

    I did use to re-read a lot but I haven't in years and I think I read too much now for that to be fun.

    I also don't like to put people on pedestals. I can enjoy an author (or actor whatever) but I don't *know* them so I can't get that OMG feeling about them. And yeah - I follow VERY few authors on SM.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Right there, yes! I don't put any artists above any other sort of people. I do appreciate what they create, but honestly, I get more awestruck by scientists.

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  21. I wouldn't really classify myself as a fangirl either. I buy merch but mainly just candles because the scent seems good lol. Sometimes I don't even remember character names or major details for books I claim are my ALL TIME FAVORITES. And I hate rereading books haha. We're all just different levels of fangirls :D

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    1. Candles seem to be very popular, but even if they are book themed, they are candles, which lots of people buy for their homes anyhow. I will often be writing reviews, and I have to re-read the synopsis, because I cannot remember the characters names. I am the worst!

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  22. I can see your points.
    I'd say that I was a fangirl - for certain authors/series - but I think there are different degrees of fangirl... Some are completely terrifying, lol. I don't think I've reached terrifying levels ever. :)

    As for re-reading, I love it. I re-read favourites when I'm in a slump, or when I'm struggling. They're like comfort blankets. However, for every re-read that is a new book that I'll probably never read. *shrug*

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    1. There are definitely different degrees of fangirl. The rabid fan scare me a little, and some can be so aggressive, that they turn me off, but there is a healthy level, that's sort of fun to see, even if it's not for me.

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  23. I am quite the fangirl. I used to not be a merch person but then I got gifted a lot of Doctor Who merch and when I read the raven cycle I broke and became a raven cycle merch fangirl :P I really like rereading my favourite books. But I am not into multiple editions at all. I have enough books already, thank you! One for each book.

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    1. Some of that merch can be very alluring, especially the Doctor Who stuff.

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  24. Although, I partake on a few things you've mentioned above (many times I re-read a book for projects/essay and I collect merch, but no much since I don't like in USA or UK), I never saw myself as a fangirl. I mean, I love talking about books, but I will no push them down anyone's throat or force them to love it as much as I do. I'll also not join fandom wars or get involved in big discussions about book characters. That's a terrifying level of fangirling...

    Tânia @MyLovelySecret

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