tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post3381328188205997244..comments2024-03-28T14:39:26.897-04:00Comments on We Live and Breathe Books: Discussion: Apology Required? Kiersten Kozbialhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00538943081866009856noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-17651841146119449322020-03-01T15:09:13.351-05:002020-03-01T15:09:13.351-05:00It's terrible that you were made to feel as th...It's terrible that you were made to feel as though you were doing something wrong. I don't only see this with romance. It seems like anything considered "low brow" by the powers that be is something I should feel guilty for reading, but it won't happen. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-88130863380545064642020-03-01T14:28:43.039-05:002020-03-01T14:28:43.039-05:00I used to be ashamed that I read romance, but now ...I used to be ashamed that I read romance, but now I no longer hide it. I think there are so many negative stereotypes and so much disdain placed on romance, that when I was younger I thought I was actually doing something wrong. Now I realize there's nothing wrong, and I treat my romance reads as I would any other genre. But I think some people might still feel shame when it comes to romance, and therefore feel the need to apologize. Malka @ Paper Procrastinators https://www.blogger.com/profile/15857298460023045029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-33289721273273839742020-02-25T19:00:47.312-05:002020-02-25T19:00:47.312-05:00I have seen that a lot too, but I agree with you, ...I have seen that a lot too, but I agree with you, we are entitled to our opinions either way. Sometimes I feel like there's something wrong with me, when I cannot figure out what everyone is raving about, but I never feel bad about not liking it. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-62163387635114775882020-02-25T18:59:45.798-05:002020-02-25T18:59:45.798-05:00Maybe Tanya will TM it. Maybe Tanya will TM it. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-84544388295355449622020-02-25T18:59:28.987-05:002020-02-25T18:59:28.987-05:00Amen! Read it with pride, that's what I always...Amen! Read it with pride, that's what I always say. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-28050654726605467542020-02-25T12:57:52.713-05:002020-02-25T12:57:52.713-05:00I have seem more of the opposite where people apol...I have seem more of the opposite where people apologize for not liking a popular book. There are some popular book that I'm going to dislike no matter what. I not going to apologize for that, nor am I going to apologize for liking a book. Snapdragonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03341628788852045830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-18959328159529372352020-02-25T12:41:24.455-05:002020-02-25T12:41:24.455-05:00Brain candy is such a great term. I'm going to...Brain candy is such a great term. I'm going to start using it. Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14241300876630582609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-83892755629486921812020-02-25T10:39:17.211-05:002020-02-25T10:39:17.211-05:00I have certainly felt judged for reading MG, YA, a...I have certainly felt judged for reading MG, YA, and horror, but hopefully I haven't felt the need to apologize for it. I love what I read!Jen | Book Denhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06512363115012929445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-78417764878976822562020-02-24T05:18:01.530-05:002020-02-24T05:18:01.530-05:00For me, it's all about entertainment - that...For me, it's all about entertainment - that's why I read. I am not studying literature, nor did I ever, but I am looking for something that makes my life a little bit better. Don't worry, it's all true, that when you get older, you apologize less. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-40736594263600231742020-02-23T21:20:30.871-05:002020-02-23T21:20:30.871-05:00You know, I remember reading a post, perhaps it wa...You know, I remember reading a post, perhaps it was even Tanya's, where the person refused to apologize, and it stuck with me because I try *very* hard to not use the "guilty pleasure" phrase. I will think about that even when I read a book that was entertaining, even if it wasn't some flawless literary achievement, you know? But I think it is total crap that people judge romance readers (and I agree, they do). Like I know I have shared why I stay away from romances, but that is just because i am bitter, it's not at ALL the fault of the genre! I love this post- it's such a great reminder to all of us that we do NOT have to apologize- unless we're supporting that kitty kicker you mentioned, that we may have to answer for ;) Shannon @ It Starts at Midnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10043593641190645773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-29098061334599920212020-02-23T18:53:20.916-05:002020-02-23T18:53:20.916-05:00You are not alone, but I am glad you are getting t...You are not alone, but I am glad you are getting to the point of not hiding your covers. I love it!Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-3626496727810788822020-02-23T17:35:41.939-05:002020-02-23T17:35:41.939-05:00This is a habit that I need to break. Sometimes I ...This is a habit that I need to break. Sometimes I do it without even realizing that I do it to be honest. I have gotten to the point where i don't care if someone sees the cover of a book I read or something. But other things like apologizing or justifying certain tropes or genres in romance. Yes I am guilty as charged and I need to be better about that. Lover Of Romancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06815249440754171341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-24586358442333593642020-02-23T15:18:17.198-05:002020-02-23T15:18:17.198-05:00Could be true. I do think there are many different...Could be true. I do think there are many different kinds of romances out there, and there has to be something appealing about it. Do these people avoid all movies and TV shows with romance? I wonder if the distaste is saved for books, but allowed in other media. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-44175943659810771032020-02-23T15:08:14.439-05:002020-02-23T15:08:14.439-05:00I think that I am pretty unapologetic about what I...I think that I am pretty unapologetic about what I read. Of course, I am old enough that I don't really care what anyone thinks of me anymore :) I have had people assume that since I am a woman then I would only read romance. I recently asked a relative who love to read what she liked to read because I was hoping to give her a few books. The way she told me she didn't read romance made me think she thought poorly of those that did. I just said that I enjoy a good romance and moved on. I think that anyone that looks down on romance hasn't read the right romances!Carole's Random Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06737905249530702688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-52956740421913714242020-02-23T09:38:51.928-05:002020-02-23T09:38:51.928-05:00My question is more why do we feel the need to do ...My question is more why do we feel the need to do this? Why are we conditioned to feel like our tastes require a disclaimer, more so than the commentary on romance. I see adult readers apologize for reading YA, and others for reading fluff or space opera. It's the fact that we are made to feel like we shouldn't that or that there was something wrong with it, that rubbed me the wrong waySamantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-34722025613766920422020-02-23T08:52:26.545-05:002020-02-23T08:52:26.545-05:00I feel the same Sam! I even wrote that article abo...I feel the same Sam! I even wrote that article about romance authors not being subpar writers as it would also mean that we, readers, are also subpar and we'd have to justify our choices!!!Beware Of The Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04146867538038694877noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-30046387693480101062020-02-23T06:06:44.577-05:002020-02-23T06:06:44.577-05:00That's right! No need to seek approval. I just...That's right! No need to seek approval. I just find it frustrating, that some readers have been driven to feel like that cannot enjoy something, because others feel it's too lowbrow or "problematic" Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-30107135103254537782020-02-23T06:05:11.930-05:002020-02-23T06:05:11.930-05:00I think it's hilarious how many times Twilight...I think it's hilarious how many times Twilight has come up today. You know, it was a best seller. It might not have been high art, but it entertained A LOT of people, so it did its job. Problematic is problematic, because that's another thing that can be really subjective (for many cases)Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-54589199442769968652020-02-23T05:59:09.135-05:002020-02-23T05:59:09.135-05:00Yes! *high five* That's the way it should be. ...Yes! *high five* That's the way it should be. I get so frustrated, when people over apologize. Like, when you are walking, and someone comes towards you and you have to pause. Almost every woman will apologize, and I won't, because I did nothing wrong, yet we are led to believe that we NEED to apologize. That's what I think happened with books too. We were convinced, but some tastemakers, that we shouldn't enjoy a certain kind of book, and then we let ourselves sully our pleasure with this. I am glad you do not subscribe to this. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-55247900386083195062020-02-23T05:56:26.907-05:002020-02-23T05:56:26.907-05:00Amen, Lindy! I like NA too, which probably gets th...Amen, Lindy! I like NA too, which probably gets the most harsh treatment, when it comes to romance. If something is not for me, I tend to just stay out of the conversation. I didn't mean for this to be like a previous post I did, about letting people like things, but it ties to it, I suppose. I wondered more, why we feel the need to apologize. It's sad to see how conditioned we have become to certain behaviors, but I refuse to apologize for things that require no apologySamantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-37396123609112352302020-02-23T05:53:38.484-05:002020-02-23T05:53:38.484-05:00Romance still gets the brunt of literary criticism...Romance still gets the brunt of literary criticism. I have seen so many reviews, which mention how the romance element in the story just ruined it. People just have a thing about it. I think it's because more women than men read romance, and you know know, internalized misogyny and all that. Samantha@WLABBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11589486165371852904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-86684996027033584692020-02-23T04:21:20.940-05:002020-02-23T04:21:20.940-05:00I used to get a lot of negativity many years back ...I used to get a lot of negativity many years back for loving zombie books or not liking a popular book so I can relate to you getting the same for romance books. You know the comments like 'I can't believe you hated that book as I loved it!' or 'How can you like that rubbish?' I never use the phrases like guilty pleasure or brain candy-it's a book I want to read and that's the only way I describe it. I will NOT say sorry for my reading choices or likes and dislikes. I read for my own enjoyment, not for approval by other people! I hate seeing readers judge other readers for the genres they read. I love horror and apocalypse in the way you love YA and romance and nobody has the right to try and look down on our choices!chucklesthescothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09423562114343636659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-15010957776694170272020-02-23T02:29:46.704-05:002020-02-23T02:29:46.704-05:00I like the term brain candy and can think of some ...I like the term brain candy and can think of some books where the term definitely applies to me. I think, you don't have to apologise for anything you enjoy reading or liking a book! However, I do tend to give a bit of disclaimer when I talk about loving Twilight. I just want people to know that I recognise how problematic the relationship and some of the ideas of the books are -- and I want to warn people of that ahead of time -- but I also do want to share about how much I shamelessly love the books too. Olivia's Catastrophehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12706765857201768908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-1632966795163551282020-02-22T21:55:10.483-05:002020-02-22T21:55:10.483-05:00This is so interesting. I think if I've ever s...This is so interesting. I think if I've ever said sorry, it's more of a "sorry not sorry" sort of way. I don't feel bad about my reading tastes, but I get that my tastes may not be for everyone.<br /><br />Nicole @ <a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com" rel="nofollow">Feed Your Fiction Addiction</a>Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addictionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637114079800138680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6528395365771263864.post-14008486840825948762020-02-22T21:33:29.260-05:002020-02-22T21:33:29.260-05:00I do feel like we are judged for our reading prefe...I do feel like we are judged for our reading preferences as romance readers, but I don;'t think we need to apologize for what we like. The classics, and literature are definitely valued more and the connotation that comes with reading those types of books is that you're more of an intellect. I enjoy New Adult Romance, angsty romance, bully romance, and taboo romance. Those types of books can be judged pretty harshly. I love your discussion post and think it is a topic that always be relevant with bloggers and readers. Like you, I think people should be allowed to enjoy whatever books they like without being criticized or judged for it.<br /><br />Lindy@ A Bookish Escape<br /><br />Lindy@ A Bookish EscapeLindy Gomezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08037195934272974300noreply@blogger.com