Today’s question:
What, in your opinion, is the definition of a “reader.” A person who indiscriminately reads everything in sight? A person who reads BOOKS? A person who reads, period, no matter what it is? … Or, more specific? Like the specific person who’s reading something you wrote?
A “reader” is, as many have mentioned, someone who would list reading as a personal hobby. While technically, a reader is anyone who reads, a “reader,” to me, is someone who actively seeks out books, libraries, bookstores, other readers, and the time to read. My “reader” is not indiscriminate but voracious and open-minded.
A somewhat related confession: I get a little edgy when a new acquaintance either “doesn’t have time to read” or “doesn’t like to read.” How do you react to these non-readers?
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
A somewhat related confession: I get a little edgy when a new acquaintance either “doesn’t have time to read” or “doesn’t like to read.” How do you react to these non-readers?
With shock and disgust. I ask them “Why don’t you read?” Usually they are stumped for an answer because no one has ever challenged them.
When someone says this to me, I begin to feel defensive. It makes me feel like they think their life is so much busier than mine, and that I must just not have any other stuff to do except read. I wish when people say this they would rephrase it to say, “I don’t MAKE time to read” instead of “I don’t HAVE time to read.”
(Did you already see my BTT post today? Our answers are very similiar!)
I like your answer! I don’t understand people who are against reading. The ones who curl up their noses while they hiss out the words, “I hate reading”. And I wouldn’t be surprsied if those same people hadn’t even picked up a book since high school, so how can they say they hate reading if they haven’t tried since then? I guess I get a lttle defensive about it because I’m passionate about my reading. I chose to read instead of watch tv most of the time. Some people ask me how I find the tme to read. My answer is I make the time.
I think that people who claim to “hate reading” are not as comfortable with the printed word and perhaps they are a not able to read at their age-appropriate level.
Like Suey says, it makes me think they’re saying their life is so much more busy than mine. I also have to *make* time to read!
I also think that people who say they don’t have time to read probably haven’t taken the time to find something they enjoy. There are so many genres of books and reading material available, it is hard to imagine there isn’t something to interest everyone. I have always thanked my parents for raising me in a home with lots of newspapers and books so that I wasn’t afraid to approach reading.
My mom always taught me that if something is important enough to you, you’ll make it a priority and you’ll make time for it. I’ve found this to be true. So as long as a person is rude or offensive in there anti-reading comments, it doesn’t really bother me. Perhaps that person is simply prioritizing ‘A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila’ above book reading.