The Ugly Truth - Reading Snobs

[Rizla]

Books are bound to attract snobs by their nature. I still know people who wouldn't be seen dead reading Harry Potter. I understand it's not everybody's cup of tea, but to not even try something so popular suggests they are more concerned about their appearance than reading.

[Yolina]

I tried Harry Potter when as I wanted to see what all the fuss was about and why people were raving about it. Didn't go very far I'm afraid

[Prestidigitweeze]

Oh, making fun of people's reading material isn't always bad.

Once, when I was visiting a friend in college, he found a porn book in his girlfriend's closet. After reading it to each other and laughing for about an hour, we changed several of the money phrases before he hid the book again without telling her.

One example:

"Don't look away," he panted. "Look at me, Yolanda! Look me in the eyes as I violate your embalmed roadkill collection while modeling this female sanitation worker's uniform!"

Meekly, she obeyed him and found herself staring helplessly, for he was one ugly Latvian comedian. Just the sight of his naked body made her want to sell him insurance.

[hidari]

I would disagree. Just because something is popular does not mean that one must automatically try it. The Harry Potter Story does not interest me. I read Narnia and a slew of books like that years ago. Never seen Jurrasic Park and do not want to see it. Never used Facebook and do not want to use it.

Seems like a lot of comments in this thread are written to show that one is not snobbish. I reckon we all are snobbish to some degree about various arts. Plus, some of us like to read for pleasure (many types of fiction), some like heavy reading (philosophy, physics) and some like pulp. I like a bit of all three.
I just find it funny that people get angry if someone states that Stephen King or Tolkien are overrated. They may be famous but that does not make them "godlike" as writers.

Originally Posted by Rizla

Books are bound to attract snobs by their nature. I still know people who wouldn't be seen dead reading Harry Potter. I understand it's not everybody's cup of tea, but to not even try something so popular suggests they are more concerned about their appearance than reading.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by hidari

I just find it funny that people get angry if someone states that Stephen King or Tolkien are overrated. They may be famous but that does not make them "godlike" as writers.

King is just this guy.

Tolkien is a god. May you be given a wedgie by an elf.

[Geralt]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

May you be given a wedgie by an elf.

Yes please


I took that to another level didn't I

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by Geralt

Yes please


I took that to another level didn't I

[xg4bx]

Originally Posted by hidari

I would disagree. Just because something is popular does not mean that one must automatically try it. The Harry Potter Story does not interest me. I read Narnia and a slew of books like that years ago. Never seen Jurrasic Park and do not want to see it. Never used Facebook and do not want to use it.

Seems like a lot of comments in this thread are written to show that one is not snobbish. I reckon we all are snobbish to some degree about various arts. Plus, some of us like to read for pleasure (many types of fiction), some like heavy reading (philosophy, physics) and some like pulp. I like a bit of all three.
I just find it funny that people get angry if someone states that Stephen King or Tolkien are overrated. They may be famous but that does not make them "godlike" as writers.

I'm almost afraid to state that I dislike King because I fear being jumped by his fanboys. Personally I don't think he's written anything worth reading since The Long Walk.

As for Tolkien all I can do is quote the infamous line ''Oh God, not another effing elf!''

I don't go out of my way to bash those authors or their readers but I do mentally tune out whenever they're mentioned just like I do when folks talk about sports.

[QuantumIguana]

Originally Posted by hidari

I would disagree. Just because something is popular does not mean that one must automatically try it. The Harry Potter Story does not interest me. I read Narnia and a slew of books like that years ago. Never seen Jurrasic Park and do not want to see it. Never used Facebook and do not want to use it.

Who said you had to read it?

I just find it funny that people get angry if someone states that Stephen King or Tolkien are overrated. They may be famous but that does not make them "godlike" as writers.

How highly do you think they are rated? Given the Dresden-level firebombing so often aimed at Tolkien, it's hard to say he's generally rated as "godlike".

[CWatkinsNash]

I like King, but I don't elevate my favorite authors to gods. Not a Tolkien fan, just not my cup of tea.

There is probably only one author that would cause me to freak out if he stopped writing, and that's Jim Butcher. But that's due to my attachment to Harry, not to Jim.

[jersysman]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

...There is probably only one author that would cause me to freak out if he stopped writing, and that's Jim Butcher. But that's due to my attachment to Harry, not to Jim.

So the truth finally comes out!! It's Harry is it!?!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by xg4bx

I'm almost afraid to state that I dislike King because I fear being jumped by his fanboys. Personally I don't think he's written anything worth reading since The Long Walk.

Have you read 11/22/63? If not, then you can't quite criticize King. 11/22/63 is just brilliant.

As for Tolkien all I can do is quote the infamous line ''Oh God, not another effing elf!''

As for Tolkien, it's not another effing elf. That's all the elves that came after.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by CWatkinsNash

I like King, but I don't elevate my favorite authors to gods. Not a Tolkien fan, just not my cup of tea.

There is probably only one author that would cause me to freak out if he stopped writing, and that's Jim Butcher. But that's due to my attachment to Harry, not to Jim.

Without Jim, there is no Harry. So please, be attached to Jim.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Without Jim, there is no Harry. So please, be attached to Jim.

Is there a proto-Butcher estate out there?
Odds are Dresden will outlast Mr Butcher.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Without Jim, there is no Harry. So please, be attached to Jim.

I'm attached to Jim through Harry. Without Harry, there'd be no attachment to Jim. I'm attached to authors so long as they are writing what I want to read.

It's nothing personal. It's not like I know the guy and have beers with him on the weekends. As long as he gives me Harry, I'm right there cheering him on, but it is Harry that I love.

This is getting weird even by my standards.