“Oh this? It’s a ‘bookworm.’
They live in books, and they love to eat important or valuable words.”
― CLAMP, xxxHolic, Vol. 7
1. Readers are intelligent
Readers are leaders. How many times have you heard this? Personally, I read a lot science fiction and fantasy…even nonfiction sometimes. I don’t think it makes me terribly clever. No, not really & definitely not intelligent enough to be a leader. Unless we’re planning to overthrow the Capitol. Then I’m your person.
2. Readers always wear glasses
Bookish characters portrayed in the media ALWAYS often wear glasses. Yes, I’ve heard that reading in bad light might damage your eyes and you might need glasses or it might be in your genes. Personally, I don’t wear glasses.
3. Readers are all a bit ugly and a bit overweight and a bit goofy and there must be something wrong with them
OR
female readers must all look like sexy librarians
Is there a middle ground here?
“I grabbed my book and opened it up. I wanted to smell it. Heck, I wanted to kiss it. Yes, kiss it. That’s right, I am a book kisser. Maybe that’s kind of perverted or maybe it’s just romantic and highly intelligent.”
― Sherman Alexie, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
4. Readers are geeks/nerds
Yes I guess. However, nerd is the new black.
5. Readers must have a bookish profession
Author, librarian, literary agent, book blogger … you name it. I think you’re lucky if you have a job you like doing. Personally, I’m in event industry. Also people seem to think that while they’re doing something with their lives: go to gym, eat, sleep. Readers just…read.
6. Readers are antisocial, shy and introverts
I never considered myself shy but I tire of people easily. Often, I get so disappointed with people that I don’t want to socialize with anyone new.
“Books were safer than other people anyway.”
― Neil Gaiman, The Ocean at the End of the Lane
7. Readers hate the outdoors
I mean…you could get an oxygen poisoning, some insect could bite you or you could get sunburn. Really. Anything could happen. Not like reading outside is an option. Or doing something other than reading in general.
8. Readers are socially awkward
Readers don’t know how to act normal. And how to make small talk. Not like reading helps with socializing and with knowing more of various topics.
9. Readers are dreamers
I think most of us are. Though it doesn’t mean that we have our head in the clouds. Or that we’d rather live in fictional worlds. Okay, I take that back…Take me to Narnia!
“I took my time, running my fingers along the spines of books, stopping to pull a title from the shelf and inspect it. A sense of well-being flowed through me as I circled the ground floor. It was better than meditation or a new pair of shoes- or even chocolate. My life was a disaster, but there were still books. Lots and lots of books. A refuge. A solace. Each one offering the possibility of a new beginning.”
― Beth Pattillo, Jane Austen Ruined My Life
10. Readers are typically used to process bank checks
Well…That’s what Google suggested when I wrote “readers are” in the search box. Blame Page & Brin.
Hope you enjoyed reading this.
What bookworm stereotypes have you encountered?
May 16, 2020 at 4:08 pm
So true! XD Love this post!
May 16, 2020 at 6:25 pm
:D I hate stereotypes! Glad you liked it! :)
May 16, 2020 at 4:08 pm
Ah yes :D Well… I love the outdoors, I’m not antisocial, I don’t wear glasses and I don’t have a bookish profession (yet :P) So… I guess I don’t classify as a reader if we go by stereotypes :D :D
May 16, 2020 at 4:08 pm
:D Yeah stereotypes get it very often wrong. Hope you find a bookish profession! Or it would be my dream at least to have a job that has something to do with books! :)
September 15, 2016 at 4:57 pm
So true! XD Love this post!
September 16, 2016 at 11:21 am
:D I hate stereotypes! Glad you liked it! :)
September 15, 2016 at 5:31 pm
Ah yes :D Well… I love the outdoors, I’m not antisocial, I don’t wear glasses and I don’t have a bookish profession (yet :P) So… I guess I don’t classify as a reader if we go by stereotypes :D :D
September 16, 2016 at 11:23 am
:D Yeah stereotypes get it very often wrong. Hope you find a bookish profession! Or it would be my dream at least to have a job that has something to do with books! :)
May 16, 2020 at 4:08 pm
I *happen* to fit *some* of these stereotypes (glasses, bookish profession), but TOTALLY AGREE that so many people have skewed perceptions/stereotypes of readers. Anyone who likes to read is a reader in my book ;)
May 16, 2020 at 7:06 pm
:D Oh I’m so happy for you! Awesome to have a bookish profession! :) That’s definitely true haha.
September 16, 2016 at 5:28 am
I *happen* to fit *some* of these stereotypes (glasses, bookish profession), but TOTALLY AGREE that so many people have skewed perceptions/stereotypes of readers. Anyone who likes to read is a reader in my book ;)
September 16, 2016 at 11:41 am
:D Oh I’m so happy for you! Awesome to have a bookish profession! :) That’s definitely true haha.
May 16, 2020 at 4:08 pm
I completely echo your sentiments in number 6.
September 18, 2016 at 10:44 am
I completely echo your sentiments in number 6.
May 16, 2020 at 4:08 pm
I love number 10.
How wonderful is modern technology – GIGO!
May 16, 2020 at 7:06 pm
I like Google sometimes! :D
May 16, 2020 at 8:06 pm
Only sometimes? I generally use Yahoo but they can all come up with some pretty silly answers.
May 16, 2020 at 8:06 pm
Google is too all-knowing.
Yet I always use Google, Yahoo doesn’t always have the best search results in Finnish language.
September 19, 2016 at 3:29 pm
I love number 10.
How wonderful is modern technology – GIGO!
September 20, 2016 at 10:04 am
I like Google sometimes! :D
September 20, 2016 at 10:25 am
Only sometimes? I generally use Yahoo but they can all come up with some pretty silly answers.
September 20, 2016 at 8:06 pm
Google is too all-knowing.
Yet I always use Google, Yahoo doesn’t always have the best search results in Finnish language.
May 16, 2020 at 4:08 pm
:D You nailed all the stereotypes in this post!
September 30, 2016 at 9:37 am
:D You nailed all the stereotypes in this post!
May 16, 2020 at 4:08 pm
Love # 4 and 6!
Great blog.
May 16, 2020 at 7:06 pm
Thank you! :)
October 12, 2016 at 5:03 pm
Love # 4 and 6!
Great blog.
October 12, 2016 at 7:52 pm
Thank you! :)
May 16, 2020 at 4:08 pm
Love love love this!
May 16, 2020 at 4:08 pm
Reblogged this on Kenyan Bibliophile.
May 16, 2020 at 7:06 pm
Thank you!
June 16, 2017 at 3:24 am
Love love love this!
June 16, 2017 at 3:25 am
Reblogged this on Kenyan Bibliophile.
June 16, 2017 at 7:50 pm
Thank you!