Most of us have read books that could be considered guilty pleasures, and some are just controversial. But should you hide what you’re reading when you feel those “judging” eyes glaring at you?
Reading is our way of escaping the stresses of everyday life. We gravitate toward those books that offer some means of “getting away…” Just like with so many things in our lives… what you enjoy might not be the same as what I enjoy. If it makes you feel good, happy, relaxed, or distressed, you’d think there couldn’t be an issue… But, of course, there so often is one. We’re all human, and some of us love to judge others on their reading habits…
Why We Don’t Read That Book In Public (or Hide)
- It’s romance… Indeed, bestselling romance novels aren’t typically discussed in an academic setting, but they are still popular for a reason.
- It’s an age thing… Perhaps it’s a “kid’s book” for whoever decided it should target that age group. Who cares? (Well, some people care since they love to mention it to young and old alike.)
- Becoming a character… There’s the concept that the book might directly personify who you are as a person, as if you’ll suddenly step into the pages of the book and become one of the people you see on the cover. You read the book, but that does not mean you become part of it.
- It’s religious… I’d originally thought of it as the looks you might get when you read the Bible in public, but I’ve also seen readers cringe and hunch over after getting glares from their reading of the Quran (or other text).
- Say controversy…You’ve probably heard that controversy sells, but the books still have a way of stirring up a ruckus. The book could be about a controversial political topic, the modern take on Atlantis or the latest theory on the first man to walk on the moon.
There could be many reasons the book you are reading could cause consternation or even volatile reactions. Reading is a personal choice… but it also becomes public propriety of what is (and is not) acceptable. But here’s the thing… why should anyone care what you’re reading? It’s your life, and if you’re enjoying the book, you shouldn’t have to hide…
