Reading has become trendy, at least in my circles online, and that’s beautiful and fun but…there’s also a lot of issues in this we need to consider too. I’ve done a lot of posts about reading diversely, educational reads, or disability pride reads, but I wanted to address other areas of how we can ensure we are considerate, respectful and responsible book buyers, readers and lovers.
Here are some things to consider if you are an avid reader and book-buyer.
Buy new from independent bookshops first
Please do not buy all your books from Amazon! I understand that their prices are lower and it’s easier and faster, but they are a corrupt corporation that doesn’t care about authors, readers, or their staff.
Instead, if you’re financially able, please shop at independent bookshops who actually do care. The real people who are working hard to ensure books and reading remains sacred and not a capitalist’s greed-fuelled pocket-filler.
Here are two that I know of that are better options for our hard-earned money:
- Bookshop.org – they support independent bookstores and libraries too
- The Lavender Library – supports LGBTQ+ representation
- Libro.fm – independent bookstore audiobooks
Buy second-hand
I am an avid charity shop book-buyer now! And proud! I know not everyone has access to quality charity shops, but this is why every time I visit a new city, I look on Maps for their charity shops so I can indulge and find hidden gems. Of course, we want to support book sellers and authors by buying new, but it’s also kind to the environment and our wallets to shop second-hand at times. Some online second-hand booksellers may even give some of their earnings to support local libraries or other book sellers, so everyone wins!
Here are some second-hand online booksellers:
Support your library
If you truly love books, you will ensure our libraries don’t close down from lack of funding and use. As soon as I moved to my new home, I signed up for the local library! Libraries are a dream resource, especially in this capitalist world we live in. Free books?! Free magazines, audiobooks, DVDs, chessboards, internet use, support, community?! Yes please!
Please, please, please support your library by signing up and checking their shelves for books that you don’t need to buy new. And as an added bonus, libraries actually do give royalties to authors! So it’s a win win win!
Here are some online library apps for audiobooks and e-books:
Check your access and capacity privilege
Not everyone has the financial capacity to buy new books. Not everyone lives near a library or bookstore or the like. Access to good books is a privilege, sadly not afforded to all of us.
There’s also the consideration that not everyone has access to a good, free education. Some people learn to read later in life. Some people find books that suit them later in life because they weren’t exposed to the vast genres and style options out there for them to try.
We shouldn’t judge how, why, or when someone reads.
Lastly, there’s the emotional and mental privilege of being able to read certain books. Some people would love to read critically acclaimed or intellectually more stimulating books, but they simply can’t because of their mental health, their stress levels, working multiple jobs, single-parenthood, neurodiversity, caring duties, or other multitude reasons.
We don’t know everyone’s circumstances, so we shouldn’t judge how they choose to engage with reading – it’s none of our business anyway!
Check your ablism
Reading Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa has reminded me that even though I consider myself to be quite aware of my health privilege, I still missed some big things that less able bodied people and disabled people have to deal with in terms of reading.
There’s so much out there about audiobooks counting as reading because some people have Dyslexia, visual impairment or physical disabilities that prevent them from reading a physical book. However, I never thought about this in terms of the weight of a physical book. That some people use e-readers and read e-books because they simply cannot hold a physical book for long periods of time (or at all).
Whether it’s someone’s preference or ability level, never berate or judge someone for reading differently to you. Reading is reading is reading. We want to enjoy books and share stories, so let’s all check our ablism, be kind, and stop being so judgemental when it comes to our shared love.
Don’t yum someone’s yum
In a similar vein, we need to stop policing what counts as reading or worthwhile books. That this genre is better than that one. I have been elitist in the past and judged romance or smut readers. I hold up my hands! But now, all of my friends fall into this category and I know first-hand that they are intelligent, incredible women. Again, what or how someone reads in none of our business. If someone likes to read escapist romance because that’s what brings them joy, let them! If someone else reads only classics, let them! Fantasy isn’t lesser. Literary isn’t better.
They’re all just options to allow for everyone to engage in reading in their own way
And so what if it’s short books! Books are books, that’s it.
Read and celebrate marginalised authors
I’m not sure I trust a reader who never reads books by people of colour, disabled, or LGBTQ+ individuals. What are you doing with your life? You’re missing out! It is my mission to ensure I read from marginalised authors every year. It shouldn’t ever feel hard to find their work in all genres. Sadly, they are still under-represented in publishing but we are the consumers who are in control of what sells in the market. We set the trends that publishers buy into and invest in. Therefore, it’s on us to ensure marginalised voices are being heard, published, and celebrated in the book world.
Don’t know how to find them? Follow YouTubers who talk about books, like Starry Steph who always recommends excellent books by marginalised authors which I’d never have found otherwise. As well as This Story Ain’t Over. Both are part of the Bindery Books group, I believe, which ensures diverse books reach publishing.
Read translated and non-Western fiction
Similarly, don’t only read books originally written in English or by solely English-speaking authors. There are SO MANY translated works out there for us to enjoy, that transport us to other countries and across continents to better understand how other cultures live. How they share a kinship with us in how we love and grieve and play and grow, even though they speak a different tongue.
Our world feels very small when we skip on translated works or books set in other countries and cultures. Empathy comes from this action. It bridges gaps between peoples. It’s more important than ever.
Be mindful of your public reviews
There’s a saying that book reviews aren’t for the author, they are for other readers. And I agree. However, I think some people also don’t think about how the review will be received by fellow readers. While we are entitled to our opinions about what we read, when you share that review publicly online, something shifts. It’s no longer a private thought. It could be seen by millions.
So, before reviewing online, think about these things:
- Are you writing from a place of emotion?
- A personal issue or trigger from the book that isn’t relevant to others?
- Have you considered the audience, intention, or purpose of the book?
- Maybe you weren’t the target audience!
- Are you (if you’re honest with yourself) doing either of the following:
- Rage-baiting online for content and clicks
- Being way too harsh
- Nit-picking or being pedantic
- Think it’s funny to leave a harsh or silly review
- Don’t give away spoilers without warning!
- Remember that what we initially feel upon first finishing the book isn’t often how we feel after some space from it; don’t be afraid to edit your reviews later if a book doesn’t leave your mind
- Are you bias?
- Some people say (shudder) that they didn’t connect with a book because they can’t relate to the protagonist…simply because the character isn’t white or straight or other…this is no reason to leave a bad review!!
- Do you hold a grudge against an author because of past works? Don’t let that effect how you perceive this book on it’s own!
Your reviews can really harm an author’s career, so think twice before uploading it. Maybe the age-old adage applies here…
If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all
Careful of trends
Lastly, be mindful of trends that may be subconsciously deciding your reading habits for you. Most of us have online social media accounts and if you’re an avid reader, you probably follow booktube or bookstagram or booktok creators. This is fine but…be careful! Be aware of which books are being constantly recommended. You owe it to yourself and authors to not limit your reading to what’s trendy.
And be careful about overspending because it’s the in thing right now. Don’t buy expensive limited editions or sprayed edges that you barely like or care about just because they’re popular or look aesthetically pleasing on your social media feed.
Make sure to peruse bookshelves for yourself and make your own decisions about what to read.
In Summary
- Read diversely and support marginalised authors
- Don’t judge others for how or what they read
- Support local independent booksellers and your libraries
- Share the work of marginalised authors (all authors you enjoy, really, as it helps them reach more readers)
- Review books with awareness of what you’re saying and how it will be received
- Don’t give our precious book-money to capitalist pigs!
Happy reading ❤
Sincerely,
S.xx
S. R. Crawford 