Urban Thought | 13 Observations As I find myself traveling more these days I realize I have blogged less. No worries though… This will be considered a free write as I do not feel like going back and editing anything (or proof reading for that matter).
A couple of months ago I took a trip to a foreign country. I brought some books with me to occupy my time while traveling. The book I decided to read first was “The Shadow of the Wind.” For some strange reason this seems to be a very popular book.
While standing on the plane waiting to get to my seat a woman tells me “that is a great book.” I couldn’t help but respond, “no wonder I can’t put it down.” The offering of comments, inquires and discussion didn’t stop there.
The person sitting next to me on the plane asked me all about the book. You ever want to sit down on a plane and just stay within your own sphere of reality until its time for the snack cart to come by? That is how I was feeling but I couldn’t help but be polite. Something about old people. She was an older woman, silver hair. Reminded me a lot of Betty White. She had a great sense of humor. Instead of reading the book the first hour of the trip talking to her about reading.
Baggage claim was no different. Book in hand. Standing there waiting for my bag and a woman comes up to me and asked me if the book was any good. “Yeah, I can’t quite put it down.” She decided to make a note of the name of the book.
I was having drinks with a friend of mine a few weeks ago. Not sure how the conversation of books came up but he had this to say about it:
I don’t understand some of these woman I see on the train. They are always reading those ghetto love stories and ghetto crime books. Shouldn’t they read something they know nothing about? Something less ghetto?
Come to find out later in the conversation that my friend actually hadn’t read a book until he turned 30. How is that you may ask? Well he says, “I skimmed through the books and took notes to write whatever papers needed. Sorta like cliffnotes only without actually buying the yellow book.” He even went so far as saying that the stereotype fit him for quite some time: black people don’t read.
Dude still doesn’t read though. The most I’ll see him read is a paper or some woman’s profile on eHarmony.
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Tags: books, reading, stereotypes
Great post. That happens to me on the train. Even if people don’t say anything they look at you and seem to feel like they’ve got you all figured out by what you’re reading.
I find myself oogling what people are reading too, especially if they are absolutely engrossed…I never interrupt but I always try to find out what the book is and commit it to memory so I can see if it would be something I would like to read too…
Why do people do this? Nosy, I guess…I would say that I’m nosy, and curious, and an avid book lover…
Who the hell? Didn’t READ until they were over 30? Wow. I would freak out without reading books. Shesh.
Glad to have you back!
People stare at me in the bus when I read the book too. In Japan, the books are covered in brown paper to hide it.
I hate to admit it but I’m a book snob on the train too.
If I see someone reading urban (Ghetto), Chick Lit or Romance books my view of that person drops several notches. While someone reading something really intellectual will completely peak my interest.
I think people approach you because you seem like a cool, friendly dude and they want your take on things - the book is an opening, literally and figuratively.
Why do you think those online book communities are so hot? ; )
Peace,
Lit
so true readfing is more than fundamental
Hello:
First time on your site via Average Bro. Well the lack (or little) reading is one of those things I don’t get with folks. I can always tell through a person’s writing and speaking at times if such habit is missing.
Now I don’t judge folks for what they read but just like a diet; you shouldn’t eat the same thing all the time. Yes you might see me at the airport with a business magazine, Vanity Fair and sometimes a fashion magazine.
But there have been times I just needed a lighter fare. Once during a delay (the holidays no less) at the airport, I bought a Nora Roberts book at the Airports bookstore. It was one in a trilogy and ended up finishing it before I got to my destination. Guess what? I loved the book so much, on my return, I bought the second book in the trilogy.
I’ve always been a reader which is probably why I have always wanted to write. Meleah’s comment fits in with this as most writers love to read or started out as readers.
When it comes to what people read, I admit that I do make some assumptions. It’s hard not to! I also wonder if I see someone reading what I think of as an usual book. I mean, it’s one thing to read something from the best seller’s list, despite how good the book is - I wonder, did the person pick it or do they just read stuff from the best seller’s list? Like this matters! I have read best sellers.
Holding a book can invite conversation from strangers. I have also asked a stranger (man or woman) what they thought of a book I saw they were reading. If they are reading something I’ve enjoyed or something from an author I follow, I may make conversation.
When it comes to traveling and being interrupted while reading…I dunno. It all depends on my mood. If I’m tired, I don’t have the social energy! But sometimes it seems like the other person needs to talk and then I just go with the flow. The book is always there and the person may not be.
I try to read all sorts of novels. Reading definitely improves your writing and of course, writing regularly improves your writing.
I agree with Afroamericawriter - don’t read the same thing all the time! I’ve read thrillers, action/espionage, gothic romance, sci-fi, fantasy, chick lit, self help, classic English Lit (Hardy, Dickens, etc. etc), detective…
pssst…you alright?
i love people that read. i love men that read books. in fact, if you can’t read well that’s a turn off.
it’s true though, books are people magnets. people comment on what i’m reading all the time. i can read anything, but i’m not a fan of ghetto books. too much cussin’.
black people do read, it just depends on who you choose to associate yourself with. the majority of my friends are readers..then i have friends that refuse to read long emails or post. i sent a group of my friends your post on the power of One. I think they scanned it. lol
S. Stylus: Thank you. So true. I’m sure they pass judgment based on your outward appearance compared to the title and subject matter of the book.
MarvalusOne: There is always an upside of being “nosy” that can help you discover a new offering to read.
Meleah: Same thing I said. I looked at the person like they were crazy. I couldn’t understand it. They obtain magazines for the pictures. Now think about that. Good to be back.
Grace: I remember doing that when I was younger. More so because we were asked to do it by the school. But then I started doing it in my every day life. What I also dis was create a new cover for it. More on that later.
Literanista: LOL… I can see you turning your nose up now.
You’re right about those communities. Borders.com just went Web 2.0. I have you check it out?
RawDawgBuffalo: Agreed!
Afroamericawriter: Thank you for stopping through. Reading diversity is something a lot of folk lack. I feel you though. I’m sorta the same. Nora has the affect on people. I’ve always considered a good book or good author to be a gateway drug. Once you start a whole new world is opened up to you.
Ms. Q: I’ve known you to be a well read person. It does take a level of energy to interact with people. Traveling can take a lot out of you. But at the same time you discover so much while at the airport or plane. But you know this already…
Meleah: Yes. I’m good. I will post about my time a little later. Thank you for thinking about me.
Natural: Feel you on those ghetto books. I read one a decade ago. It took me a week just to get my mind right after I finished. My slang had increased. I was using more profane language.
WoW… You forwarded the post? That’s what’s up. Scanning, reading… I’m happy you passed it along. Thank you.
I actually had an associate tell me not too long ago, in response to me informing him that I finished writing a second novel, that books are “dumb”. He is 34 years old, and he does not read books. He does not even like to watch foreign movies because he hates to read captions. That is just not somethin you tell a writer.
But anyways - I get the same thing. Books do seem to invite people. I know it makes ME smile when I see someone engrossed in a book. Because I know what that feels like. So now it is like we are part of the same secret club. Except, well, it isn’t a secret.