Just When You Thought It Was Safe...

[the_other_sandy]

So, some of you may have seen me rant before about people who come up to me while I'm reading my Nook in public to tell me all about how they could never use an e-reader and there's nothing like a paper book and blah blah blah. Whatever. This is my caring face. ::points:: I have now been reading my Nook off and on during my lunch breaks at work for about a year and a half and the comments have died off, so I thought everyone who had something to say about it had gotten it out of their system. But no. I'm currently reading an actual paper book because this particular book is not available as an e-book, and what do I get? "But don't you have an e-reader? What happened, didn't you like it?"

You know what I like? Reading. I like to read hardcovers and paperbacks and e-books and magazines and fic on the Internet and fic in print zines and (yes) fic on my e-reader. Who set up this false dichotomy where you have to be on either Team Paper or Team E-Book? Why do they have to be mutually exclusive? Why can't I just be allowed to read?

Comments

[bookwurm.livejournal.com]

Have you been following this week's Unshelved (http://www.unshelved.com/2012-5-29) comics? I think they feel (or at least write about) your pain. It's sad how many people who work in libraries don't get the whole "reading is reading no matter what format" deal.

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

I had not seen that. How timely! I'm feeling the need to put it on the bulletin board near the staff entrance.

[queeberquabbler.livejournal.com]

Amen sister. The point is that you enjoy reading. No one should bother you while you're reading--period.

I've never had people approach me while reading, but if I'm in a cafe writing longhand, a lot of people try to read what I"m writing. Next time I see you at WinchestMidwest, I'll show you what I do to get back at them. (It really does need to be seen in person--I've spent many years perfecting it, mwahaha.) Maybe you can adapt it and use it to keep Obsessy Bessies at bay. ::high-fives you::

[the-other-sandy.livejournal.com]

I very rarely have anyone approach me when I'm reading a paper book, but I very rarely don't get approached when I'm reading my Nook. I've had curious people ask to see how it worked, other e-reader owners want to bond with me over how great e-readers are, and (mostly) people who are violently opposed to the whole concept of e-readers want to share that with me.

But wow, people try to read what you're writing over your shoulder? How rude! Books were created for public consumption, but something being written longhand is being written for a specific audience. Unless the writer actually hands that paper to them, it's none of their freaking business what it says.