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Pet Peeve #12: "Whatcha reading?"
Mar. 5th, 2008 09:45 amImportant disclaimer: I do not mind this question from friends - from people who read the same genres - from people who are genuinely interested in what I'm reading today, because there's a good chance: a) They've read it; b) They've heard of it, and want to know if it's worth reading; or c) They loaned it to me in the first place. I tell them, we compare notes, discuss favorite characters or other author recommendations, and it's an interesting exchange.
But somehow, I am made immediately irritable when I am sitting and minding my own business, and - you know, reading - and someone walks by and feels the need to interrupt me to ask, in a vaguely patronizing tone that makes me think they are just asking for the sake of conversation, rather than out of any genuine desire to know the answer, "Whatcha reading?"
Because it always plays out the same way. I stop reading. I bite back my automatic, snippy answer: "A book." Dumbass. Instead, I flip the cover closed to display it, parrot off the name of the book inanely, and then wait. There's an awkward moment where their lack of recognition becomes plain. I hate that moment, so I usually try to say something, like, "It's fantasy," - which always sounds far more juvenile than fantasy really is. Or, worse, I try to give a ten-second synopsis of what I've read so far - which never works well, because part of the reason I love fantasy so much is the added layers of complexity that come from placing a story within a partially or totally unfamiliar world-setting. Fantasy novels are not easily summarized, especially on the fly. So I end up sounding like an idiot, fall silent, and then one of two things happens:
1) The individual, looking baffled, answers with a half-hearted "Oh," and wanders off. I feel like an idiot, just a little bit ashamed that I am reading - you know - fantasy, instead of a brilliant, insightful work of non-fiction.
2) The individual, looking baffled, answers with a half-hearted "Oh," then awkwardly changes the subject, to tell me about the last good book they read. So now, I am the one feeling awkward and ignorant, because I don't know anything about John Grisham's latest novel. Under other circumstances, I might not mind discussing what they like about their chosen books. I heartily approve of reading in general, and like talking to other readers, even when the genre is not my own. But when I have been interrupted when I am clearly reading to have this discussion, I am in no mood to be chatty. Perhaps you noticed that I was reading.
It's happened to me twice this morning, because I was filling in for the secretary at the front desk, and had a book propped open in front of me to read between phone calls.
But somehow, I am made immediately irritable when I am sitting and minding my own business, and - you know, reading - and someone walks by and feels the need to interrupt me to ask, in a vaguely patronizing tone that makes me think they are just asking for the sake of conversation, rather than out of any genuine desire to know the answer, "Whatcha reading?"
Because it always plays out the same way. I stop reading. I bite back my automatic, snippy answer: "A book." Dumbass. Instead, I flip the cover closed to display it, parrot off the name of the book inanely, and then wait. There's an awkward moment where their lack of recognition becomes plain. I hate that moment, so I usually try to say something, like, "It's fantasy," - which always sounds far more juvenile than fantasy really is. Or, worse, I try to give a ten-second synopsis of what I've read so far - which never works well, because part of the reason I love fantasy so much is the added layers of complexity that come from placing a story within a partially or totally unfamiliar world-setting. Fantasy novels are not easily summarized, especially on the fly. So I end up sounding like an idiot, fall silent, and then one of two things happens:
1) The individual, looking baffled, answers with a half-hearted "Oh," and wanders off. I feel like an idiot, just a little bit ashamed that I am reading - you know - fantasy, instead of a brilliant, insightful work of non-fiction.
2) The individual, looking baffled, answers with a half-hearted "Oh," then awkwardly changes the subject, to tell me about the last good book they read. So now, I am the one feeling awkward and ignorant, because I don't know anything about John Grisham's latest novel. Under other circumstances, I might not mind discussing what they like about their chosen books. I heartily approve of reading in general, and like talking to other readers, even when the genre is not my own. But when I have been interrupted when I am clearly reading to have this discussion, I am in no mood to be chatty. Perhaps you noticed that I was reading.
It's happened to me twice this morning, because I was filling in for the secretary at the front desk, and had a book propped open in front of me to read between phone calls.
