No guilt for pleasure reading!

From a Guardian article: "Stephen King has beaten JK Rowling to the title of the UK's favourite literary guilty pleasure.... 85% of those surveyed admitted to having an author they turn to for sheer gratification, but whom they might not admit to reading in pubic."

I find the very assumption of this survey alarming. Why are people ashamed to be reading Stephen King or J.K. Rowling or Terry Pratchett? Would the same people be ashamed to admit that they saw a horror film or took their family to see a Harry Potter flick or reveal that they regularly follow some TV show like 24 or Lost? I don't think so. So why is reading for pleasure shameful and watching TV or movies not?

More and more I'm noticing that people (mostly adults) don't allow themselves to read for pleasure, or if they do they're afraid to admit it. Why? Why oh why? It doesn't make sense. And then I remember--perhaps they learned in high school (as I did) that the only books good for you are the classics and anything of a genre or anything written in the last 20 years must be rubbish. Hm. And we wonder why adult literacy is in trouble. We need to stop blaming the TV and the internet for the world's loss of readers. It's our own fault. Personally, the books that bring me greatest pleasure are those that are well written, have real merit, and tell a ripping good tale to boot. Everyone's tastes will vary. The important thing is to allow ourselves to read what we love--otherwise (as is happening everywhere) we'll stop reading altogether.

I say, fling off the shackles of yesteryear, my brothers and sisters! Embrace whatever books sing to you! Fall into those stories and be not ashamed! I AM PROUD TO BE A READER!

Comments

[faith #2]

that IS weird. I love reading, and why not admit it? Los of people say they don't like reading, but i bet a lot of them Do. why not admit it? Is there something WRONG with reading?? I don't get why you would say you don't like reading if you do!

[Lauren A.]

Me too, Shannon. I think all of us squeetusers are proud to be readers. So weird that some people are ashamed to read? Why?!? For me, reading is one of the greatest joys in life. I love your books, other YA books, adult books, comic books, fiction, nonfiction, plays, poems, even *gasp* chick flicks (sometimes, if I'm in the mood.) I hope I never fall out of love with reading, like the surveyed people seem to have. :(

[Laura]

I have a number of friends who either don't read fiction or do so guiltily. When they do allow time in their busy lives for reading, they feel they must read something "enriching" or "educational" such as non-fiction or (gulp!) self-help. They believe reading for pleasure is self-indulgent, much like eating triple fudge brownies or sleeping in until noon. Unthinkable!

These friends would be embarrassed to admit that they enjoyed reading a novel not because of the content or storyline, but because of the time they spent indulging in such a frivolous activity. They focus on all the other worthy things they would have been able to accomplish in the time it took Harry to find the Sorcerer's Stone.

Personally, I find reading fiction more than just pleasurable. In my life, it is necessary. Without the enjoyment (and, yes, escape) I find in reading, I would go nuts.

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks for the encouraging words, Shannon. I couldn't agree more. It drives me crazy when people say "Oh, I only read non-fiction", like fiction is in some way second class. Great fiction can change people, and can change the world. I applaud your consistent defense of people reading for pleasure, and reading great books, regardless of whether or not they might be considered classics. Thanks!

[Elizabeth]

I absolutely LOVE to read. Reading, drawing, and dancing are my favorite things to do. My parents strongly encourage reading. My father likes it better when I read classics, but he mainly wants me to develop my mind...and my vocabulary. I read a lot of books that aren't classics and still learn a lot. Whenever I run into words I don't know, I write it in my notebook and look up the definition. I've learned a lot of words.

[Enna Isilee]

ME: Hello, my name is Enna Isilee

YOU ALL: Hello Enna Isilee

ME: I have not been ashamed of reading for pleasure for three weeks!

*Pauses as you all clap*

[Leanna]

I agree Shannon. A lot of people think it is cooler to spend their time watching TV rather than reading books. I love to read and I don't think it is anything to be ashamed of.

[Leanna]

I agree Shannon. A lot of people think it is cooler to spend their time watching TV rather than reading books. I love to read and I don't think it is anything to be ashamed of.

[Kate]

*claps* your an inspiration to us all Enna Isilee!

me: Hello my name is Kate

you: Hello Kate..

me: I have not been ashamed of reading for pleasure for 2 weeks, on my honor, or may i be chopped up and made into stew

*claps*

i LOVE reading and i'm not afraid to tell people! my friend Jaime and i trade books all the time. She loves your books too!

[Leanna]

Oops! Sorry for double posting!

[Enna Isilee]

*Wipes away a tear*

Kate you are SO brave!

Anyway...

It's true, schools and teachers totally brain-wash you into thinking classics are the only thing worth reading! And I CAN'T stan' it!

But what are we going to do? I've tried talking to my English teachers, really I have, and they just blow me off! ARGH!!! When will the world learn?!?!?!

[Enna Isilee]

*Wipes away a tear*

Kate you are SO brave!

Anyway...

It's true, schools and teachers totally brain-wash you into thinking classics are the only thing worth reading! And I CAN'T stan' it!

But what are we going to do? I've tried talking to my English teachers, really I have, and they just blow me off! ARGH!!! When will the world learn?!?!?!

[Q]

Enna Isilee and Kate, I am in awe. If only everyone could be like you.

The only thing I read without being assigned to read it is pleasure reading. I don't see the point of reading if you are not going to enjoy every minute of it. This goes along with the "Seuss for the Teenage Mind" concepts. I think that schools are bound and determined to keep the classics alive, which is good, becuse they might not be kept alive any other way. Without my English teacher I would have never read Dickens as early as I did, If I read it at all.
My aunt, who is in her forties, says that she likes to read YA fictionso that she can refer books to her kids, and because a vast majority of YA books are wonderful. I agree with her.

[Faith #2]

All right, must announce:

Faith: I am Faith, and i am proud to say I have not been ashamed of reading fiction for 8 years, on me honor, or may I also be chopped up into tiny bits.

Right on ya, mate!

[Rika]

*Applauds to Shannon!*
Rah Rah Shannon! Metoo!
Did you know that reading is good for you? It is good for your vocabulary (for learning big words) and it is MUCH better than TV. (Yah, you probably already knew that)
Anyways, I love reading! And when I become a busy adult, I promise to continue reading... FOREVER!!!

[Leanna]

Uh..how old are you Faith #2?

[Faith #2]

11. I started reading at 3. My favorite book was the Catwings series then which was YAY, FICTION! and still very good, though not down to earth, because they were FLYING in the book. ;)

so yeah, 11. and I haven't been ashamed of reading before. why should I be ashamed?

[Anne]

this discussion reminds me of when i got into trouble for recommending Captain Underpants to a second grader who just hate to read. He LOVED Captain Underpants but his teacher taught that Captain Underpants is inappropriate. but then captain underpants accomplished what other books did not ... it made him read. a lot. and it made him laugh too. a little boy who's laughing and reading ... priceless!!!

[Princess Aurora]

How embarrassing! Telling people you like to read...such an embarrassment! Keep it to yourself! Such things shouldn't be said!

[Kelli]

I've just about always had a book tucked away somewhere for me to read. And I could never understand the antipathy towards reading by my fellows. One of my friends, I just converted towards the side of light, and now she makes suggestions for what she thinks I might find interesting. THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE FOR THE ANTI-READERS.

[asha]

i love reading!!!

[one really mad English teacher]

Once again, this has turned into a session on "diss the English teachers." I'm getting disgusted. I am an English teacher who teaches a great many different types of things. I also encourage my students to read whatever they wish for entertainment because I personally believe that reading even trashy grocery store fiction is better for one's brain than watching the Simpsons.
I have been recommending Shannon's books and this website all year to my students, but I think I'm going to stop soon -- at least this website. Why would I want my students to see this? Why do I want to read this when half the comments blame all your problems on your English teachers?
You know, I had one bad English teacher also. I got over it. I also had many good teachers -- ALL OF WHOM GOT ME TO READ THE CLASSICS -- and I still had time for Tolkien and Mary Stewart.
Shannon, you are an excellent author. Why are you so negative toward teachers? I doubt you'll post this, but I hope you read it. English teachers and librarians are going to get sick of it soon, and we'll stop recommending your books. I'm not there yet, but I'm posting this on my own blog and pulling your link from my website.
Sure, I'll still read your stuff, but I'm sick and tired of the tone of this blog. Why don't you find something positive to do with all your influence on kids?

[Leanna]

No Faith #2, you should not be ashamed.Most people don't like reading until they are adults, so it's great you like to read at such a young age.

[Lindsey]

Faith#2: You are 11? Cool, I almost 11...
I LOVE READING! I'm even running out of book space in my room because I've got so many books. I proclaim to all the world, I LOVE READING!

[Nikki]

It's a shame you (the English teacher) feel that way. I am also an English teacher, and have listened to Shannon speak on this subject in person (not just on the blog), and really what she promotes is simply that the classics should be taught in connection with more recent books that teenagers can relate to better. It's not about ditching the classics completely or about dissing the teachers, just about finding a way to help students not be turned off from reading. Those of us who were raised to love reading survive the classics in high school because we still pursue reading for pleasure, but Shannon is right to say that many adults have lost track of pleasure reading because somewhere along the line they got the idea that only classics and nonfiction are worthwhile. Shannon applauds teachers like you who teach a variety of texts and encourage your students to read what they want. I know her, and I know she doesn't mean to come across as negative toward teachers. I hope you'll reconsider your opinion.

[Lindsey]

You go, Nikki.

[Q]

It's not that we are talking about ALL English teachers; I've had phenomenal English teachers before. We are just talking about how it seems like many English teachers (including my current one) only have their students read the classics, and if students who don't like to read have those sort of books forced upon them (the classics that really are good books but are also hopelessly boring for large stretches), they will not want to read any other books, or will just stick to cheap, badly-written, dime-store novels.

You said that you have had teachers who only gave classics to read. Do you remember your fellow students who did not like to read? What was their reaction to having to read them? I watch reactions when my teacher assigns a book, and for those, even in my Honor's class, who are not fond of reading, they usually look disappointed and have a bad attitude about reading it.

It is wonderful to hear that you are teaching classics as well as other books, and you must be an exception to the English teachers we were talking about. I'm sure we are all sorry to have offended you.

[shannon hale]

Oh dear! My hands are all a'shaking and my hearts thumping and I feel like burying myself underground. I am so, so sorry, English teacher. I can certainly see how you could read that tone in the blog, but I never meant it. I should've been more clear. I don't at all blame the English teachers for the apathy toward reading that many get in high school. I've written about this before, but it bears repeating. I've spoken with many English teachers about this topic to get their input and I don't write about it lightly. It's something I feel passionate about, and something that I believe is a very positive thing to think about (if I explain myself clearly, which I clearly hadn't).

First, I had WONDERFUL English teachers in high school. Man, they were like the super heroes of English teachers. I worship them. They made that class one of my favorites and taught me how to think. My beef is not at all with the teachers but with the curriculm.

There are so many reasons why the reading list in many high school classes only includes "great books written for adults many years ago that are realistic fiction" (this is my definition of the "classics"). In my understanding, here are some of the problems we have in changing it:
- College prep--Most English majors don’t study anything but the classics and literary fiction in college. And certain titles are required for AP tests.
- Money--High schools already have multiple copies of The Great Gatsby and can't afford to buy dozens of newer titles
- Parents--they studied those books themselves in high school and many get fussy when teachers introduce different books (I've learned, sadly, that even when most parents support a teacher, even one who gets angry about an issue can make life for that teacher very difficult)
- Inundation!--There are far too many books being published for those who set curriculum to know them all!
- Prejudice--Are the classics better? I've encountered deep rooted prejudice against contemporary fiction, young adult literature, and anything that is "genre" such as science fiction.

I applaud the teachers who find ways to introduce a variety of texts into classes and encourage their students to read whatever genres they like outside of class. Thank you. I believe that literature teachers and librarians qualify as the most important and the least appreciated of all professions. That I was perceived as dissing you truly mortifies me. I am so sorry.

Oh, and I will most certainly leave your comment posted. If you perceived our discussion as dissing English teachers, then others will have as well, and I need to address it publically and try to make amends.

[Faith #2]

Wasn't Mrs. Spackman your 4th grade teacher? You say she was a great teacher and inspired you to write GG.I think some English teachers are great! Like my mom, who doesn't only teach classics. I'm not trying to say there's anything wrong with classics. I think you're right, Shannon, it's the curriculum, not the teacher. They don't always get to choose the curriculum.
:)

~faith#2~

[Enna Isilee]

I must apologize as well. It has been my life long goal to be an English teacher, and some of my best friends are my English teachers. It's true that the classics are a hard subject because many love them and many... well, don't.

I'm sooo sorry, I can easily see why this has been seen as "diss the English teachers" but it's not. I LOVE my English teachers to death. I just don't like classics.

Once again, I am very sorry and I feel very bad. Please don't take it the wrong way. No more English Teacher Bashing! And really, isn't it a "higher power" that tells you what exactly you have to teach? It's not your fault at all. I'm sure you're a great teacher. In fact it was my teachers that gave me a love of reading and writing.

Have I apologized enough yet? I am SOOOOOO sorry! Really.

[Anne]

why would somebody stop recommending Shannon's books just because of differing opinions/misunderstandings? Her books are wonderful and should not be connected with all these discord. Teachers and librarians are people (too) with different personalities and beliefs. So of course there are teachers and librarians that are just awesome but there also some that make me wonder why they chose their professions. Opinions in this blog will also reflect that fact, that we have different experiences with teachers and librarians. Anyway, if I was a teacher, I would still want to listen to my students' opinions even if they are "dissing" me. Why would I be offended because they are speaking out?

[Rika]

Faith #2- Catwings was my favorite book when I was little, too! I still have it here on my bookshelf! How funny is that?

[Gretchen]

I was going to leave a comment last night, but my computer was having issues. :) But I'm almost glad it didn't since now I have more to say.

First, go Catwings!!
Second, I have always loved reading and I'm immensely proud of that fact.
Third, while I can see why some might construe Shannon's remarks as negative towards English teachers, I don't see them that way. I have to admit that I was first, I felt slightly overprotective of my English teachers and the classics I read in high school. But I'm not your average reader and I had some truly stellar teachers all throughout high school. I didn't love all of the classics (i.e. Antigone didn't really float my boat. Sorry, Sophocles!) but some I was enthralled by. This weekend my mom and I were busting a gut talking about our favorite parts out of Huckleberry Finn. To Kill A Mockingbird is easily one of my favorite books ever written. I know that I probably wouldn't have casually picked up and finished some of the books I read in school (like Things Fall Apart) but I am ever grateful that I got to read them for class. I hardly think the problem here is the English teachers. The reasons Shannon listed make complete sense as to why not more is being done on this front. There's not much I can do to help this, although I wish there was something I could do to help. I'd also like to say that English Teachers are truly wonderful-thanks for all that you do.

Alright, I'll get off my soapbox now. :)

[Ally]

As an English teacher myself, I read this post (as I have the others) with a lot of interest. I could feel for both the English teacher earlier and for Shannon. And, of course, for the students!

While I think a love of reading/reading new things/reading what you want is hugely important, I also buy into the idea of a cultural heritage of literacy (if that makes sense). Shakespeare is part of that. To Kill A Mockingbird is part of that. Classics are part of that.

As a teacher, one of the most rewarding things that happened to me was teaching a classic and having someone say, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I like this. A lot." Conversely, I also LOVED having to tell a student, "Could you put your book away? We're starting discussion, writing, etc. now." I loved it when the new Harry Potters came out and kids were trying to sneak in the pages during class.

So, what I'm saying is what everyone else here is saying...a balance is good, but so hard to achieve. As a teacher, the parents want a piece of you. The administrators do. Authors do. The public does. The No Child Left Behind people do. But above all, the students do, and they are the ones that matter most, and so you keep trying to achieve that balance even though you may disappoint some along the way. I love coming to this blog because of Shannon, but also because of the students and teachers posting here and the discussion that takes place. I'm not sure if I've added anything of value, but I wanted to express that and put in my two cents' worth. :)

[Lauren A.]

Wow. This has turned into a heated discussion! Shannon, I think that was your longest-ever comment posted. ;)

[Bekah]

I admit that I like to read, but most people have a negative reaction to it. I've had friends and siblings who make fun of me for it -- they say it's an excuse to be anti-social -- which it is for me, sometimes. That's why I'm a little reluctant to tell people how much I read.

[Princess Aurora]

You guys are all so silly! I love fairy tales! I love Princes! I love happily ever afters! Let's just all be happy!

[Callie the Strongbad Fan]

I do have both agreements and disagreement's with Shannon's remarks again, mainly having trouble with the assertation that school's tell us "anything not written in the past 20 years is rubbish". Orson Scott Card has adressed this same problem, but in a different way. My high school required some classes to read "Angela's Ashes". Why? Because it is "literary". The Literary World wants us to escape anything that is popular and only go for what is literary. No popular Newbery winners, they say, just the literary Pulitzer winners. Orson Scott Card explained how Elitism is what has taken over the literary world. He places a lot of blame on more contemporary literature like James Joyce and T.S. Elliot. I hope I'm not misquoting or misinterpretting Card here, but I believe that the problem is not schools or scholary culture saying older books are the best, because some of the worst class assignments come in the form of contemporary literature like "Angela's Ashes". The real problem is schools and scholary culture saying that only what is literary is good and what is popular is not good. As my mother has said, she likes a book that has a good entertaining story with a good message, not a book based on symbolism and analyzing the meaning. I recommend anyone here who has the chance to study what Orson Scott Card has said about Elitism. Elitism has taken both older literature and contemporary literature.

[justina]

I've never read anything so ridiculous in my life. I don't think I can even believe it. Reading, movies, music, TV they all go on the same list of things I do for pleasure, and reading is definitely number one! People being ashamed to admit they read for pleasure? ummm....that is so stupid i could die. you might as well say "hey I'm illiterate, I don't know how to read and write, isn't that cool?" Let's hope the world hasn't come to that...regressing.

[Elizabeth]

Callie, I LOVE Strongbad. He rocks. Although I think I like Homestar the best.

[calandria]

Shannon, since we met last October and you talked about this, I have made it a goal to broaden my literary horizens. I used to be a classics-only reader, and I was dismissive of modern or "fun" reads. You are right--we shouldn't feel guilt about reading non-classics. It is not a waste of time. It's fun! I applaud your efforts in this endeavor.

[calandria]

"horizons," I meant. I'm not a great speller. (blush)

[Shauna Brand]

Dear "one really mad English teacher",

I was upset to see you confuse Shannon's comments with the other bloggers on this site, (though clearly they have a right to their own opinions and have their own histories to draw from in making their opinions known...nothing wrong with that.)

"More and more I'm noticing that people (mostly adults) don't allow themselves to read for pleasure, or if they do they're afraid to admit it. Why? Why oh why? It doesn't make sense. And then I remember--perhaps they learned in high school (as I did) that the only books good for you are the classics and anything of a genre or anything written in the last 20 years must be rubbish."

She did not point a finger at English teachers, she made a general statement. You filled in the gaps and assumed it was English teachers. I have known Shannon Hale since she was a Freshman in high school and she is ABSOLUTELY not how you have depicted her...as a matter of fact she has always been an advocate of teachers! I wish you would reconsider your position on her; it couldn't be further from the truth.

Shauna Brand

[Little Willow]

"Embrace whatever books sing to you! Fall into those stories and be not ashamed! I AM PROUD TO BE A READER!"

Your posts always make me smile. Thank you for encouraging kids, teens, and adults to read, read, always read. In addition to being a phenomonal reader, you are also a champion for literacy!

Have you checked out readergirlz (http://www.readergirlz.com) yet??

[Little Willow]

"Embrace whatever books sing to you! Fall into those stories and be not ashamed! I AM PROUD TO BE A READER!"

Your posts always make me smile. Thank you for encouraging kids, teens, and adults to read, read, always read. In addition to being a phenomonal reader, you are also a champion for literacy!

Have you checked out readergirlz at http://www.readergirlz.com/ yet?

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[Jennifer]

Children's librarian kicking in...got Goose Girl in our library. Sorry for the reply to the ancient post...only just discovered it!

This reminds me of a fluff book that I've stumbled across in Barnes and Noble called "The Encyclopedia of Guilty Pleasures." Among these so-called "guilty pleasures" are cruises, Disney World, and The Muppet Show. Those all irk me a bit, especially the last...it was funny, witty and entertaining...who cares if it was puppets?

But the part that made my blood boil was listing "The Lord Of The Rings" as a guilty pleasure. Why "guilty"? I don't have the book in front of me, but to paraphrase...the authors acknowledged that it was a masterfully written part of English literature, but...it was still fantasy. Populated with "nursery-rhyme" characters like dwarves and elves. And this made it something for the "six-sided dice crowd." To conclude, as good as the LOTR books are, it leaves one with the feeling that "we should be doing something more adult with our time."

In other words...no matter how well-written fantasy is, no matter what truths it touches on beneath the fantasy trappings...it's still fantasy and fantasy is for kids or losers.

ARGH. Condescension like that about other people's reading choices just ticks me off no end. Good fantasy, like yours, like J.K. Rowling's or C.S. Lewis's or Tolkien's...good fantasy focuses on the human story beneath the fantasy trappings, and is no less valid a form of literature. (Whereas bad fantasy is mainly all about the trappings.)

I swear, sometimes literary snottiness can get to the point where I'm almost ashamed to have been an English major.

[Nisa]

The first sentence of this made me read this as fast as I can (Even at November)! I love reading!