Good for Them, Not for Me

This is the stuff that grinds my gears. Talking about what is "legitimate" art and what isn't. What adults should do and what they should be ridiculed for. So much of this conversation is steeped in the patriarchy, heteronormativity, and people scared that if they have to make room for others who aren't exactly like them, there won't be enough to go around. This conversation seems to echo through history. In some circles, romance still isn't seen as a legitimate genre. YA and Graphic Novels just seem to be latest targets. I don't think it's a coincidence that these genres are largely enjoyed by women and young people.

If you are feeling threatened by someone else's reading choices, take a step back and look inside yourself. What is really causing these feelings? Why do you feel the person should not be reading that book? What authority to do you have regarding the choices of others? This is not to say that there aren't harmful books out there. Some books might make young readers with confusing romantic yearnings feel ashamed of themselves. They might hold ugly, outdated opinions about women. They might reduce the struggles of a minority group to a trope. But, for the most part, if I notice a negative reaction in myself when I learn about what a friend likes to read, I rely on the mantra "good for her, not for me" to recenter myself. It's a way to remember that not every book out there is going to speak to me.

I recently had a conversation with my old girl scout troop leader. She's a reading assistant at a local elementary school, and she started to explain to me that her kids want to read graphic novels all the time. I started to excitedly tell her that I just went to the graphic novel book club at my local library branch before I realized that she was bemoaning this choice, instead of remarking with interest or curiosity. Man, what a bad feeling--to be told that the books I like to read aren't even good enough for a 4th grader in her eyes. Ouch! I think we've all had a similar experience, and it really stings. I don't want to make anyone feel that way, ever.

Librarians can be a powerful force in challenging the cultural attitude towards genre legitimacy. Patrons may perceive us as the genre police, and we should do everything in our power to instead cultivate a welcoming atmosphere that does not disparage anyone's favorite genre. Personally, this means I will have to put on a poker face if someone asks me for read-alikes for Atlas Shrugged or I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell. My focus should be on helping patrons find their next favorite book, not making anyone feel judged or inferior. Some ideas include spotlighting niche genres in displays, book clubs, and suggesting them to patrons in the same breath as celebrated classics. Follow trends and include new genres in your collection so patrons can tell you what they want to read, rather than the other way around. We can also lead by example: talk openly and confidently about what you like to read. Erase phrases like "guilty pleasure" from your vocabulary. Notice when you are feeling judgemental, and repeat after me: good for them, not for me.