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What are your thoughts on this? Have you ever been in a situation where you were book shamed?

For those who are new to this term, Book-shaming is a condition where a person invalidates someone’s favorite books or preferred genres. It makes them feel bad about what they read. It makes them feel guilty for enjoying books they love.

My best friend at school book-shamed me for reading Harry Potter. I didn't ask him the reason for his repugnance of Harry Potter books but I guess he hated fantasy books and was more interested in detective books like Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Three Investigators, Famous Five, Secret Seven and spy thriller books written by Frederick Forsyth, Alastair Maclean, Arthur Hailey etc. But I didn't listen to him and went on to read 3-4 HP books. I didn't read the whole series though as my book reading habit sadly went into abeyance for a few years.

My grandmother also has the habit of book-shaming me. She would ask me to read religious books and academic books and now that I am working she asks me to read job related books. Lol. When I visit my grandparents once or twice a year, I read my novels in secret inside my room or out on the terrace, away from the prying eyes of my grandma. ^_^ My grandma also book-shames my mom for reading women's magazines. Haha. Mom doesn't read books though. Infact no one in my family reads books except for religious books :-(

I was subscribed to one girl who writes reviews here on GR. At first, I thought her reviews were funny, but later I noticed that most of her reviews were really negative and her criticism was not constructive. I caught myself feeling bad about my reading choices and my intelligence, so I unsubscribed. And... Her reviews are still in my newsfeed, because my other friends share them! I realized there is no escape, the only way to avoid feeling down is not to care what others think.
On another note, I like some books that are criticized for being racist, sexist or other things, like "Six of Crows" or "Harry Potter" (or even Holy Bible, at this point), for example. I feel like sometimes people are just trying to search for anything like that just to show how attentive and woke they are. Those people are trying to make others including me feel bad for any book I'm reading.

Oh, and another one. I graduated from literature major, we were horribly book shamed by our professors! It reached some ridiculous level when you could be book shamed for enjoying Freud or Hegel. What would they do to me if they knew I'm enjoying Sarah J. Maas? XD

Haha. Anna, then what books would your professors have approved?

Austin wrote: "My best friend at school book-shamed me for reading Harry Potter. I didn't ask him the reason for his repugnance of Harry Potter books but I guess he hated fantasy books and was more interested in ..."

This is very disappointing to hear, we live in an educated society yet we are shamed for reading the books we like. And I can understand and totally relate with the fact that elderly people judge a little too harshly, though that is not say that each of them behave the same way.

Austin, they would just criticise everything and approve each of their favourite books. I think they enjoy book shaming each other in their staff room. :)

Anna wrote: "I was subscribed to one girl who writes reviews here on GR. At first, I thought her reviews were funny, but later I noticed that most of her reviews were really negative and her criticism was not c..."

I look at some friends reviews and then I make up my own mind. And then if someone doesn't like my views it is there problem, not mine. I have not been one to care much about what others think. Same goes with other current issues. I don't get in others faces, but sometimes post things that make my views clear, so if they go after me they will have plenty of evidence of just where I stand. I am not moved by public opinion. BTW, I did teach philosophy for 12 years so I admire your readings of philosophers.

I am constantly being book shamed by my family for loving fantasy novels, mostly because most of the members of my family are bullies who don't care about making 'jokes' at the expence of others. They are also those incredibly boring, unimaginative people who only read non-fiction and look down on any other form of literature. They also made constant fun of me because I like reading a lot and I always have a book with me. They call me anti-social and boring they don't understand that the only reason I don't talk to them is because they suck.

Evi, family members might hurt us at times, not even knowing that. They might mean well, but aren't choosing their words properly or think it's really funny to make fun of us. But sometimes, we don't fit with our family, our personalities don't match. It all gets solved once you move out. Worked well for me.

I can say I was also book - shamed for reading Harry Potter, I don't get why I mean everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I don't see anything wrong with Harry Potter books, regarding the author I don't go that deep in it to judge people I don't even know. Regardless, I like YA and fantasy books and people sometimes judge it because I am 29, well I do not judge 35- year old people reading comic books or playing PS I mean I like games as well. Normaly I ignore it, but it is a shame that people are so harsh and judgmental.

Anna wrote: "Evi, family members might hurt us at times, not even knowing that. They might mean well, but aren't choosing their words properly or think it's really funny to make fun of us. But sometimes, we don..."

While I can asure you that my family fully understands that their words are hurtful and they just don't seem to care, I completely agree than moving away is the best solution.

I am strongly against book shaming. There's no point to it. You aren't going to change what someone is reading just because you think it's bad. Let people enjoy what they want to read. I've experienced book shaming a couple times, but I stood up for myself and eventually they stopped shaming me.

Evi wrote: "I am constantly being book shamed by my family for loving fantasy novels, mostly because most of the members of my family are bullies who don't care about making 'jokes' at the expence of others. T..."

I'm sorry that you're going through this. You don't deserve to be shamed for reading fantasy. If you're finding joy in fantasy, keep reading it and try to ignore what your family says about your reading choices if you can

I'm sorry for your experiences, everyone. Really. Reading should always be a joy, and no one should ever make you feel like you shoudn't. I've never been actually book-shamed, not that I recall, but I've been made fun of just for reading in general. But honestly that was easy to shrug off because I had nothing in common with those people and no intention of associate myself with them anyway. When someone close to you shames you for something you love it's way more difficult to ignore. I stand with you all ❤️

Shawna wrote: "Evi wrote: "I am constantly being book shamed by my family for loving fantasy novels, mostly because most of the members of my family are bullies who don't care about making 'jokes' at the expence ..."

I'm just glad there's places like ŷ������ and Tumblr so at least I know I'm not the only one who goes through something like that and that there are plenty of people who like the same books as me.

It's hard to stop book shaming when publishers use it for marketing but it's also a reflection on people that it works. Mostly I think it's shameful not to read if you know how. I realize a lot of people read all day at work so they don't find comfort in more reading when they get home. It sucks that some of you have to deal with unsupportive families.

Wow! This thread is a treasure!!

I am friends with this one girl on ŷ������ (or subscribed to her) because we had a lot of common books and even though I saw that she had given bad reviews to the books that I liked, I want to know people's perspectives and sometimes people mention good points that I might have missed while reading so I do follow people here who have given less ratings to the books I've loved. However, over the time I've noticed that this person and many like her deduct stars without having good enough or valid reasons. They just hate on that book so much, hate on that author, and then question others who like those particular books. I mean, come on! How can you call a book "trash-worthy"? That piece of art is someone's hard work and you're just cancelling it all out just because it did not align to your taste. I mean, a book that you absolutely detested could work wonders for someone else and could turn out to be their favorite, for various different reasons.

I do not understand what the whole "fad" is behind "rant" reviews where you are picking at the minutest of details and don't even bother in exclaiming if the book even made you "feel" anything.

Also, if you know that a specific genre does not work for you, or a particular author does not work for you, don't read it! Why do you have to read it just to write rant reviews? I don't understand.
Why waste all this time when instead you could just dnf that book and read something that you would actually love?

@Rida Quraishi
I definitely agree with that...I don't understand how ppl can think the book is so wretched yet have no reason why it is.

@Rida I had a similar experience with one of the GR friends.( Maybe the same person you are mentioning)I was friends with her because we had so many books in common. But later I realised that most of the reviews she wrote were rant reviews roasting like every book out there. And also calling out people who even like it. I felt really offended. I do get there are times we don't like a book, but hating on almost 70% of your reads just seems really improbable. Rant reviews have become a trend and people mostly enjoy them than the positive reviews. It is quite sad. I honestly prefer to dnf a book I don't like. I will push through a book if it is part of some challenge or from a favorite author whom I don't want to dnf. It is disheartening to be honest that out of all the reviews I have written till date, my most popular one was for a book I didn't like. I was pretty disappointed with it as it was from a favorite author. Writing negative reviews is ok, but people should be mindful about it. One should not shame a genre or a book or people who might enjoy it. For every book out there is an audience somewhere.

I sooooo agree with you Arundhati! And very rightly said, that for every book out there is an audience somewhere.
For a long time I did not have a lot of friends on ŷ������ and yet I'd log my books in. The reviews that I saw were very well written and people had to give out negative reviews they would have legit reasons for them. But scrutinizing every single detail in the book, dissing on a particular genre or the people who read that genre, it is so disappointing.

I consider books as a work of art. And writing a book and presenting to the world for judgement requires a lot of courage. Even if you have something negative to say, say it with grace, right? People call these books as trash, piece of shit, and so many other things and that's just sad!

You are so right. I see this a common trend for romance books. First off people liking romance are somehow shamed because it isn't "real" reading somehow. Same goes for fantasy. Reading is subjective. What might work for someone, might put off someone else completely. But it is not fair offending people for liking something. Especially people having huge followers, should write their reviews responsibly as it will effect a lot of readers. Also such rant reviews for lesser known or debut authors might hurt their work a lot. If it is sooo difficult to get through a book and it is that trashy, better leave it and move on. It does no good to spread negativity. Productive criticism is something everyone seeks rather than trashing everything to gain popularity.

@Arundhati @Rida Both of you are so right. Thank you for speaking about this!!Why can't people respect the choices of other people. And hating on authors is the absolute worst. I've seen people doing these "rant reviews " cuz they hate the author and I was shamed and called many names just cuz I supported my favourite author.

@Sanjana So sorry to hear you had to go through that. No one should have to be shamed for their choices. As Rida said books are art and however one might feel about them, a lot of effort from the author has gone into it. Unless a book/author is utterly problematic which needs to be brought to light, this shaming should stop.

I have the problem that once I start a book I want to find out how it ends and/or I'm hopeful it will get better which is why I finish books that I don't like.

@Erica I think that is one valid reason. That might be why people would put themselves through a book even when not actively liking it. Some books do get better. I do have that problem sometimes, specially with mystery books.

@Erica @Arundhati I think that if you're pushing yourself to read and finish the book because you want to know how it ends, it means that you're somehow invested in the book. That's why you're still curious. So there's something at least that is helping you move forward. But, there are some books that just do not work for you, either because of the writing style, the story, the plot or the characters or just about anything. And you ultimately find yourself not caring at all. You might even start despising it because of all the things that do not work for you in the book. I think that's the point when one should consider just dnfing it rather than completing the book just so that they can write a "rant review" about it.

Arundhati wrote: "You are so right. I see this a common trend for romance books. First off people liking romance are somehow shamed because it isn't "real" reading somehow. Same goes for fantasy. Reading is subjecti..."

I completely agree. I also see such reviews for books that are heavily loved and are very popular. And then people diss on the those who enjoyed these books saying, "oh, I don't know how someone could like that book" or "if you like this book, you have no taste" 😑 Nooo, dude! It's just that yours and my taste are different!

I have been shamed sooooo many times by people for reading romance, specially for the ones that have smut, and when I tried to explain to people that I really like it and enjoy it, they say that that's because I have no knowledge of "real literature". 🙄
It is so hurtful! Not to mention, completely delusional, because one of the most celebrated work of William Shakespeare is Romeo and Juliet, which is a romantic tragedy! But people cancel that out too just because it is "romance". 🙄

@Rida I understand what you are saying. If I hate a book, I would just stop even if I have read more than half of it. I once did this experiment to watch a movie which I knew was problematic and I would hate it but it was really popular. I made myself sit through it and I regretted it so much. I ended up hating it and so angry that I felt so much ranting it out to others. It's just not worth the energy. Ooooo "real literature" they say. I have been shamed so much for loving fantasy and romance because they are not "real literature". It did bother me initially. I tried reading more conventionally acceptable stuff and I was unhappy. Reading became more like burden. So I just stopped caring as to what anyone else thinks. Good for you that you love romance and you are able to find something you like. I guess reading smut is really shamed upon for some reason but secretly everyone likes it to some extent. Ugh people just need to keep their judgements to themselves.

Rida wrote: "I have been shamed sooooo many times by people for reading romance, specially for the ones that have smut, and when I tried to explain to people that I really like it and enjoy it, they say that th..."

ikr its soooo annoying. Like lemme read what I wanna read.

Yeah, I was pretty young when I was shamed for my reading tastes and eventually I stopped reading anything mostly.
But then, I discovered Booktube in late 2016 and that plus ŷ������ has helped me sooo much in finding what I like and reading just for me, irrespective of others' opinions...

Jenannisreading....Ihope wrote: "Rida wrote: "I have been shamed sooooo many times by people for reading romance, specially for the ones that have smut, and when I tried to explain to people that I really like it and enjoy it, the..."

I know right!

Like, even now when I get friend requests on GR some people tell me "how could you have given 5 stars to books like Twilight?" and I'm like, jeez! I get that that book is not perfect. I know that if I sit to count, there would be many flaws in the series and the author.
But, that's the book that truly got me into reading Fantasy and thick books. It was also the book that introduced me to YA and the writing style that was very accessible, and that I don't necessarily have to read Charles Dickinson's books when I want to read something and enjoy. That's why the Twilight series means a lot to me. And there can be such books that mean a lot to people, but people who are quick to judge just start dissing at every opportunity they get.

I have seen many people asking others not to read a book they disliked. I see their friends nodding in agreement in a chorus even though they haven't read the book, taking the words of the person who trashed the book for granted. I start thinking the book must be really bad as the person who read it says. I go and check the book out of curiosity. Voila! It turns out to be a 4.25 star book and rated by 500 million plus readers. This is something I don't like. If you don't like a book, don't dissuade others from reading it and making them to agree with you. Your trash may be a gem for someone else. How else would that book have got 4.25 star rating from 500 million plus readers?