I have become a book snob.
When I was a kid, I owned and read over 10,000 books. My library included everything from The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, to Animorphs. (Read my sad tale on this series next week.) I read so much, I actually won a contest at my school for the most pages read in one week.
Reading was my one and only passion growing up. I would let it fill me, disappear into books, be the characters on the page. Some books I gave away to the library, but only if I thought they were boring. (Emma was not for nine-year-old me. I still haven’t picked it up again and I’m definitely older.) My favorite books stayed on the wall-to-wall shelf in my room. I judged them “best” because when I finished reading them I would heave this huge, happy sigh and want to read it again.
Books that were worth reading again but didn’t make me sigh got placement in my sister’s room or downstairs in the office. (In case you’re wondering, my parents encouraged the habit and provided all the shelving. My moms collection took up the shelves in the kitchen, in her room, and merged with mine in the office. She’s also the one that counted the books when my dad suggested we might have too many.)
About a year before I moved to Washington, I started writing. I became just as passionate about writing as I had been about reading. I read books about writing, (of course!) read articles online about writing, went to workshops, and practiced in every way I could. I think that was what ruined reading for me.
All that writing and research reading took me away from novels. When I finally decided to just relax, I picked up a novel at the bookstore–and I wasn’t swept away. I was informed that the weather my hero was enjoying before he went out and did something happened to be dark and stormy. Woop-de-do. Haven’t heard that one before.
I set the book down, convinced it was just bad luck, and picked up another. This one promised me it was a best-seller. I opened it up, bracing myself for the familiar pull of a novel drawing me in, and got almost two chapters in before spying a research error. Well, two. Well–okay, anyone who has ever taken world history ought to have known how wrong those facts were. >.<
I put the book down, somewhat panicked, and kept trying books. Most of them weren’t that bad, but my internal editor sat on my shoulder the entire time pointing out things I never noticed before. Instead of living the story, I was just reading the words.
I left the store without a book that day, and all I wanted was to go back and try again. What happened? Where did all the good books go? Will I ever read again?
I thought about ending this post with those questions, but it would be doing the publishing world a disservice. In the house I share with my husband, I’ve got precisely 12 books that take me back to the days when I was a kid. The Key Trilogy, by Nora Roberts. The Enchanted Forest series, by Patricia C. Wrede, and The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. One of these blog posts I will take apart these novels and share why they worked for me.
Anyone else out there a book snob?
A.M. Kuska's Blog 
Jul 29, 2010 @ 12:31:52
I’ve noticed this myself! It’s dampened my enjoyment significantly. Though when I read just before going to sleep at night, things don’t jump out at me so alarmingly. Probably just tired enough not to flip that internal editor switch.
Jul 29, 2010 @ 13:51:58
I’ll try reading at night then. I managed to turn the internal editor off somewhat reading Artemis Fowl by repeating to myself 10,000 times that what I kept seeing as flaws in the writing was actually just author voice. I didn’t like the book at ALL the first time, but then I decided to go ahead and read it with internal editor on, and…and…I loved it. ^^
Haven’t been able to repeat that again, but I’ve reread Artemis Fowl about three more times.
Jul 29, 2010 @ 12:44:52
Hehe. Yes I am a book snob too! I only go for quality books. hehe.
P.S. That’s awesome that you have a Chihuahua, I’ve always wanted one of those!!!
Jul 29, 2010 @ 13:49:40
If you get one, let me give you a little advise. Do NOT treat them like little dogs. It’s okay to carry them around and put them in a purse, but I mean don’t let him pull on the leash because he’s little and it’s cute, don’t let him get away with not learning obedience because he’s little etc.
Oh, and SOCIALIZE. Chi’s are known for being aggressive towards people/other dogs, so the more you get them to interact as puppies, the more likely it is you’ll get a good Chi and not a yapper. ^^
Jul 29, 2010 @ 15:25:41
Lol… thanks for the advice :).
Won’t be able to get a Chi just yet. I’ve got a mini Schnauzer atm and a Parsons Russell… two dogs is enough! hehe… Love them though!
Jul 29, 2010 @ 13:02:57
Yes and no. I’ve managed to be able to keep my job from blending in with my pleasure reading. I’ll pick up a book while I’m in ‘writer’ mode and when I read I pick it apart and cringe. However, I can also turn off the ‘writer’ and read for the story.
Jul 29, 2010 @ 13:48:02
How? I’m dying here. There’s a bunch of stories I’m just itching to read that I’m afraid to because I don’t want to see mistakes. -.-
Jul 30, 2010 @ 01:04:46
I treat my writing like a job. It is my job. And I don’t take my work into my pleasure. So I ‘clock out’ of work before picking up a book. When I first started this I had to literally make up a time sheet, logging when I was at work and logging when I got out. It helped and now I don’t need to do that. Also, don’t read where you write, this helps me a lot.
Jul 29, 2010 @ 13:37:42
After a while, you get past all the Writing Nazi Rules That Must Never Be Broken and realize that the story is the thing. Have you read James N. Frey’s How to Write a Damn Good Novel II? He skewers those rules. It’s empowering for a writer and it’s freeing for the writer-as-reader.
There are a number of ways to judge the quality of a book, but strict adherence to Elmore Leonard’s damned rules is one of the poorest. Look at the bones of the story, and the muscles. Ignore the color of the ribbon in its hair.
If you go throwing out every book that has the slightest imperfection, you will have done yourself out of your greatest joy. Story matters. Truth matters. Nobody writes perfectly. Nobody. Or lives perfectly, for that matter. Reclaim your joy.
Jul 29, 2010 @ 13:46:02
But if I’m looking at the bones of the story, I’m studying skeletal issues instead of just picking at the little small mistakes. -.- I need to figure out how to turn this part of me -off- rather than just try and tune into the big picture. Any thoughts on that?
Jul 29, 2010 @ 13:59:50
Nope! In fact, I’m as far opposite a book snob any write can get. I like almost every single book I read to some degree. Srsly. I don’t seem to have standards, or boundaries, when it comes to books.
I have a #bookaddiction.
My husband, and sometimes myself, wish I had a higher standard for what I read. I really should, too. I’m an aspiring writer, work on some novel or character every day, etc. I really have a hard time pulling my editor out to critique a book I like.
We’re opposite sides of the spectrum, lol.
^_^
Jul 29, 2010 @ 15:13:20
I’ve found reading has changed a lot since I started writing as well. Simpler fiction just doesn’t impress me anymore. The sense of “I could do this… or better!” Deflates a lot of stories. But I’ve also found I’m even more impressed with other works. Jim Butcher’s world-building in the Dresden Files, for instance, is impressive in its depth and believablity. I’m impressed as both a reader and writer. Its an interesting shift, from passive consumer of the written world to “peer” of the author.
Jul 30, 2010 @ 01:29:33
I gotta admit when they’re too good, I find myself stewing just a little bit. >_> I wish I wrote it!
Jul 29, 2010 @ 17:28:27
The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck was one of the first long books that I managed to get through. Gone with the Wind was the second. I was young at the time, in my teens, I think. They were both excellent and broadened my outlook and my appreciation for the peoples on this planet. I haven’t read as many books as you. I am picky about the novels I read, but in a different way than you. I appreciate your knowledge and want to learn from you. Time to read has always been hard to grab. If I am not engrossed in the first chapter, I won’t keep reading. If the plot moves too slowly, I put it down. If tension is not strong and emotion not compelling, I lose interest. While our “being picky” is different in some respects, there is a parallel in that the “good writing” you wish to read produces those qualities I like in novels. I read Dean Koontz (not so much any longer, but I have, and I like his style), Sue Grafton, John Grisham, and Robert B. Parker (recently deceased). I am sure I have read many others, but these stick out in my mind. I like suspense and mystery. I’m not very likely to read a romance or a war story. I read for pleasure, diversion.
Jul 30, 2010 @ 01:28:50
Oooh, have you read any of the Nero Wolfe mysteries? That’s a pretty old series, but pretty well done. I didn’t care for the first book, but most of the middle ones are pretty good.
Jul 29, 2010 @ 23:32:55
Whenever I read something, although I am not a snob, I certainly fall squarely into the trap of thinking “oh I could have written this!”
But, I didn’t. And I needn’t be so snobbish 🙂
Jul 30, 2010 @ 02:05:21
I’m not a book snob in that way, but I haven’t read a book in over a year. I used to be an avid reader, now I read blogs, tweets, and Facebook status updates. Somehow, I got sucked into the technology black hole. Help!
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Jan 06, 2011 @ 17:37:25