Bookish Beliefs

Since we're still getting to know each other, I thought I'd let you in on some of my core beliefs when it comes to books and reading. We all have them, right?

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1. I believe in "Every book its reader and every reader their book."

I read a lot. And sometimes I don't love a book. But I'll still book talk that book at a school or include it on a list of books on a certain topic because I know there will be some kid who will love it. There are great reviewers of books out there who are able to critically deconstruct every book they read and argue with you about why you should feel the same way they feel. I choose to wield my bookish power in different ways. I mean, I can always tell you why I didn't like something, but if that's your thing or you loved the book, I'm not going to belabor it. I'll be genuinely glad you connected with and loved that book. And then I'll find you another one to love.

2. I believe we need diverse books.

The past few years have seen so many amazing diverse books published and it makes my heart happy to include them in my reading life and recommendation lists. We need these books because it's long past time to hear these stories and voices. We'll never move forward or heal as a society unless we're all represented everywhere. More, more, more of these books, please and thank you.

3. I believe there's no such thing as a guilty pleasure.

I'm certain there was a time I'd roll my eyes and scoff at people for their reading choices. I think a lot of us go through a phase where we want to seem smart and cultured and blah blah whatever. But as Dr. Angelou said, "Now that I know better, I do better." I've lived some life. I've been so stressed out that all I want to do is read Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series one after the other until my eyes fall out. Maybe you like to read nothing but sexytimes romances every day. Our current reality timeline is dark and scary, Friends. Read what you want.

4. I believe it all counts.

Books are real reading. Audiobooks are real reading. Ebooks are real reading. Comic books are real reading. Graphic novels are real reading. Fanfiction is real reading. All of it. We all live different lives and have different abilities and however we choose to consume our stories and information is 100% valid and also let people live.

5. I believe books are the best, but they're not precious.

I mean, if you have a signed, first edition copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone then yes, that is precious, why is it not behind glass? But for the most part, I'm not too precious with my books. If it's a paperback I own, I'll crack that spine, I'll write in the margins, I have been known to occasionally (take a deep breath) dog-ear my pages if I can't reach an arm out and hit one of the millions of bookmarks I have lying around. I just want to get at the story. Please note that I would never do that to someone else's book or the library books I borrow, and I fully respect your belief in the preciousness of each and every book on Earth. So you can stop looking at me like that.

6. I believe that "bookish" is a real word.

Fight me. And by fight me I mean say "No, it's not," and I'll shrug my shoulders and say "You do you," and we'll go get some lunch.

What are your bookish beliefs?