A Penny For Your Thoughts #1: Misconceptions About Bookworms

Hello loves. Today I bring to you my very first discussion post. I’ve been wanting to post one for a very long time, but I always find a reason not to. (Excuses mostly.)

Before we get started, here’s an intro to this feature:

A Penny For Your Thoughts is a new feature on my blog where I discuss different subjects every week. Basically, it’s a discussion feature with a fancy name. 😉 I intend on having a discussion at least once a week, more if I have the time.

I want you to know that I am very open-minded and I appreciate honesty above all else, so please be comfortable when letting me know your opinion on a matter.You don’t have to worry about offending me if our opinions vary, I like seeing things from other people’s perspective and it would be a boring world if we all had the same opinions on everything. 🙂

Also, if you have any suggestions for discussion topics please comment below or shoot me an email at headinthecloudsheartinthebooks@gmail.com

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As you can tell by the title, today I’ll be discussing a few misconceptions I’ve noticed people have about us, readers, and who we are.

1. Books, 24/7 books

While it cannot be denied, the significance of books in readers’ lives, it also isn’t the only thing we have going on. Some of us might enjoy gaming alongside reading, or maybe catching up with the latest TV shows. Who knows?

The problem is when people think ALL we know is BOOKS and ALL we do is READ, and question us when we are seen without a book or having some other hobby. Or even better when they give you an accusatory stare, like you’ve just been caught cheating! Because clearly, to be a bookworm is to have a book plastered to your hand(s) at all times with your nose buried in it and only speak of literature, otherwise your bookworm status is open to questioning.

Let’s just say this person likes to eat. Do you expect said person to just eat, eat and EAT?

I guess my point is it’s perfectly fine for someone who loves to read to have other choices of entertainment. All while not having to explain ourselves like a bunch of outlaws. You can be a book lover and love other things without feeling guilty about it.

2. Speckies here; speckies there; speckies everywhere.

This is what some people think we look like:

This is such an inaccurate assumption. There is no rule saying, if you read, you have to wear glasses. Just the same, doesn’t mean if someone wears glasses, by default he/she is a reader. That is simply not how things work!

3. Straight-A students

Let me make it clear, there’s a huge difference between reading works of fiction and textbooks. Reading fiction- non fiction, even- isn’t automatically going to make us top students. So, people can stop saying things like, “I thought you read a lot of books!” and “you read, isn’t that supposed to make you really smart?” when we don’t turn out to be the first place in class.

Like everyone else, we could be straight A students, average students or even bad students. Unless the exam is Zombie Survival 101, book related or seeing the world in multiple POVs, I wouldn’t be so quick to bet on all of us getting an A.

4. Antisocial, the lot of us

Yes, some of us may be antisocial, but not all of us. It isn’t right to put all of us in a box and label it “antisocial”. The rest of us could just be more selective about who we spend time with. Personally, I’m not opposed to hanging out with my close friends every once in a while. I usually find myself having more fun than anticipated. For me it’s all about the people I spend time with. With the right people I can be very sociable.

Not to mention, some readers are also social butterflies and happen to enjoy the company of people as much as they do reading.

All that said, there are antisocial bookworms.

One thing I think we can all agree on:

 

To summarize, we are seriously misunderstood beings.

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So, there you have it, my very first discussion post. Keep in mind that was just my opinion on the topic. What are some misconceptions society has had about you? 

Remember to leave a comment and be completely honest, so we can discuss- debate too.