I’ve been trying to think of how I want this post to come across- I don’t want to be all shout-y, I want it to be a funny, tongue in cheek even- and maybe make some people think about their rating system.

Bear with me, kiddos- it’s Friday, and I’ve got months of thoughts on this subject- so buckle up and enjoy the ride….

 

Last summer, I went to this event called Booktopia and while there, I met this group of readers- some really great ladies. Sitting around talking with them about the authors at the event was fab- and then someone brought up talking about the best, ever book we’d read. Which, I began thinking and I was pretty confident in my choice (Divine Secrets of The Ya Ya Sisterhood). As the other ladies went around talking, they began naming books  I’d never heard of. Ok, no problem- but when the other ladies started chiming in about these books- and then asking me about them, I thought- well, I guess I’m not as much of a reader as I thought.

So I began to re-evaluate my “bookworm” status. I tried to start reading “smarter” books, occasionally dabbling in non-fiction, some historical fiction and other, more “smart” type books. Yet, I was not satisfied. So I began reading the things that interested me and put this out of my mind.

During this time frame, I became a member of She Reads. Some books they pick might not be the ones I would have reached for on the shelf- but in the year, I’ve been reviewing for them- I’ve read books that are great, charming, funny. Some are books I would have picked on my own (hello, The Meryl Streep Movie Club) where others like The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow or The Firebird– I might not would have picked- and yet, I’m a better bookworm for reading them.

In She Reads, I’ve found a group of women- who like books similar to the ones I like. Who can point and direct me to other books. Through them, I’ve found other bloggers who make recommendations- some I like, some I do not. But, my reading taste has expanded.

Then in January, my Booktopia friends wanted to get together again. We were told to nominate a few books to read for our meeting in January- and I picked a Sarah Jio book (among others to nominate). I felt at least 1 of my books would get voted in- and yet, no. I tried to not let it bother me- but still, I wondered. What about my reading taste is so “off” that my Booktopia friends did not want to read the books I nominated?

And, then I realized: NOTHING. There’s nothing wrong with the books I pick. These books are just as great as the latest non-fiction, highly anticipated fiction, most buzzed about book. The problem is that my Booktopia friends are like the people who watch the Oscars/Emmys- they get caught up in all the details, the buzz, maybe even a “street cred” thing. They enjoy reading the lists of books nominated for various book-ish  awards.

I read for pleasure. For enjoyment. For taking my mind to a fun place. (Not saying they don’t read for the same reason- but our ideas of what classifies as the type of book is far different than mine). My Booktopia friends are literary snobs in a sense- and my taste runs more for thrillers, women’s fiction and the like. They aren’t wrong (and neither am I.) We just have different opinions about books.

Sometimes I wish my taste in books run to more “street cred” books- the classics, the latest non-fiction, the “smart” books. Sometimes I wish it more than I care to admit. But, that’s not me. I like my Janet Evanovich books, my cozy mysteries- I like women’s fiction- I like a story with heart, that makes me laugh and maybe even cry.  I like the books that take my mind to a relaxing spot, a story that I want to sit and read for hours. I like the thrillers, the mystery books. Happiness is a Mia March book for me. Sarah Jio rocks my world. I’m going to read the books I want to read, the books that make me happy. And I’m not going to question my bookworm status again.