Friday, May 17, 2013
HEY EVERYONE! For lack of a review this Friday, I decided I would share a post that I did on ASHLEY's blog as a part of her blogoversary! IT IS HER POST, and I MADE IT FOR HER. But seriously. It was either this or a depressing gif post about me surviving school. So hopefully Asheybaby forgives me. =] Anyway. I hope you all like it!! And go visit her. She is amazing.
Reading is one of the most common hobbies in the world. In fact, you could probably go so far as to say it's the number one hobby around. You don't have to look far to find a reader. Technology has even been specifically designed for the purpose of making the interest easier. It's pretty snazzy how big the reading community is.
But then, within the bajillions of readers in the world, we have people that call themselves Book Nerds. It seems to be a pretty common term that people use. I found myself wondering if maybe that term is used a little too lightly. Can any old reader be a book nerd? Or does the name signify something more? Let's look at some basic dictionary definitions for understanding. First we have Bibliophile, which we will use to describe the average reader:
Okay so from this we can classify a reader as someone who loves books and might buy or collect them. Now let's look at the definition of a nerd, that we could add to the end of 'book'.
Now if we take this into concept with Books, we bump up the reading status quite a bit. From love of reading, to obsession. So, let's talk obsession. I asked some fellow readers, what they think the kind of characteristics a book nerd possesses are. From that I've compiled a short list of Booknerdisms.
Obviously, it makes sense for a Book Nerd to be well read, since you can't be one till you are. *waves hands in attempts to confuse you all* We could say that some pleasure readers, stick to certain genres or authors, but that a book nerd might venture out into the unknown. By having an extensive array of material in their brain, it allows them to spread out, interact, and discuss more with others. For sure a bonus, if I do say so.
From here, were build off of point A. Seeing as a booknerd likes to be involved in what's going on the community, it helps to have an understanding of more who is who and what is what. Walk up to one and they could probably tell you who wrote a certain book, or even who published it. ...[well, most of the time]... This is for sure a step up from the pleasure reader, who's interaction with the reading community is that he/she read a book. By understanding the industry of books, including publishing and so forth, they could take their knowledge to a whole new level of participation and excitement, such as book blogging.
In many cases, this form of Book love comes with the territory. Nerds are always engaging in their obsession. So for a book nerd....well you get the idea! Always reading. Books piling up. Leprechauns and Unicorns dancing...okay maybe not that but still, It's a happy place in Nerdmania.
This one is pretty self explanatory. When you're obsessed about something you want to own quite a bit of that thing. So naturally, as a Book Nerd, you want as many books as you can. Of course, what separates book nerds in this regard from the "average reader" is the buying spree. [see photo to right] When it comes to book nerds they love to hoard. Bookstores flourish. Whereas, say those that might not be considered an official nerd, wouldn't be in the same mindset and therefore use the library. So, this could very well be a reason to set apart booknerds. Wouldn't you say?
This is one of the best symbols of book nerdom that I've seen in my opinion. Being able to really get into the books and feel like you know them as a friend? That's book love! Booknerds get that emotional connection so well. From laughing your guts out, to tearing up and bawling for an hour. And then having to go out in public and act normal....that's skill.
And those aren't even the beginning! There are so many other little things that would probably be used to describe book nerds. Take book sniffing for instance. One of the most confessed Book Nerd crimes. Alright, it's not a crime. It's a Book Peeve, er, Good Peeve. If there's such a thing.
Of course, maybe it's something completely different, like taking the dust jacket off when lending books for fear of damaging the Precious.
Or that..calling your books Precious...A pretty unhealthy habit if I've learned anything from Lord of the Rings.
Tehe.
So. We've reviewed some of the common characteristics of Booknerdom. Can we officially call it a class of readers? What do you think? Could these traits set apart some people the people that aren't like it? Maybe. In fact, I'm partially inclined to think so myself.
But even if it is, BookNerds aren't a species. It's not a race or title given to people. It is still a fun name that people can give themselves if they want. It's a way to say "I AM NOT ASHAMED OF MY BOOK LOVE." It's a title that connects the reading community and makes it one of the best trends on earth.
The Art of Booknerding{can any reader be one, is there something more to it?}
Reading is one of the most common hobbies in the world. In fact, you could probably go so far as to say it's the number one hobby around. You don't have to look far to find a reader. Technology has even been specifically designed for the purpose of making the interest easier. It's pretty snazzy how big the reading community is.But then, within the bajillions of readers in the world, we have people that call themselves Book Nerds. It seems to be a pretty common term that people use. I found myself wondering if maybe that term is used a little too lightly. Can any old reader be a book nerd? Or does the name signify something more? Let's look at some basic dictionary definitions for understanding. First we have Bibliophile, which we will use to describe the average reader:
bib·li·o·phile; a person who loves or collects books, espescially as examples of fine or unusual printing, binding, or the like.
nerd; an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a nonsocial hobby or pursuit
Now if we take this into concept with Books, we bump up the reading status quite a bit. From love of reading, to obsession. So, let's talk obsession. I asked some fellow readers, what they think the kind of characteristics a book nerd possesses are. From that I've compiled a short list of Booknerdisms.
- They are really well read
- They understand the industry well
- They have an inability to keep one's nose out of books
- They are the owner and buyer of many books
- They often share an emotional relationship with books
- They love to smell books..among other things
In my opinion, this supposed Book Nerd status is indeed much more advanced than your average pleasure reader. It seems fair to me to say that this is a whole different class of the reading community. For one, it's a lot more involved. But before making a final consensus, let's break it down even further by taking each of the characteristics into consideration.
They Are Really Well Read
Obviously, it makes sense for a Book Nerd to be well read, since you can't be one till you are. *waves hands in attempts to confuse you all* We could say that some pleasure readers, stick to certain genres or authors, but that a book nerd might venture out into the unknown. By having an extensive array of material in their brain, it allows them to spread out, interact, and discuss more with others. For sure a bonus, if I do say so.They Understand the Industry Well
From here, were build off of point A. Seeing as a booknerd likes to be involved in what's going on the community, it helps to have an understanding of more who is who and what is what. Walk up to one and they could probably tell you who wrote a certain book, or even who published it. ...[well, most of the time]... This is for sure a step up from the pleasure reader, who's interaction with the reading community is that he/she read a book. By understanding the industry of books, including publishing and so forth, they could take their knowledge to a whole new level of participation and excitement, such as book blogging.Inability to Keep One's Nose Out of Books
In many cases, this form of Book love comes with the territory. Nerds are always engaging in their obsession. So for a book nerd....well you get the idea! Always reading. Books piling up. Leprechauns and Unicorns dancing...okay maybe not that but still, It's a happy place in Nerdmania.Owner and Buyer of Many Books
This one is pretty self explanatory. When you're obsessed about something you want to own quite a bit of that thing. So naturally, as a Book Nerd, you want as many books as you can. Of course, what separates book nerds in this regard from the "average reader" is the buying spree. [see photo to right] When it comes to book nerds they love to hoard. Bookstores flourish. Whereas, say those that might not be considered an official nerd, wouldn't be in the same mindset and therefore use the library. So, this could very well be a reason to set apart booknerds. Wouldn't you say?Shares An Emotional Relationship With Characters
This is one of the best symbols of book nerdom that I've seen in my opinion. Being able to really get into the books and feel like you know them as a friend? That's book love! Booknerds get that emotional connection so well. From laughing your guts out, to tearing up and bawling for an hour. And then having to go out in public and act normal....that's skill.They Sniff Books...among other things...
And those aren't even the beginning! There are so many other little things that would probably be used to describe book nerds. Take book sniffing for instance. One of the most confessed Book Nerd crimes. Alright, it's not a crime. It's a Book Peeve, er, Good Peeve. If there's such a thing.Of course, maybe it's something completely different, like taking the dust jacket off when lending books for fear of damaging the Precious.
Or that..calling your books Precious...A pretty unhealthy habit if I've learned anything from Lord of the Rings.
Tehe.
*********************************************
But even if it is, BookNerds aren't a species. It's not a race or title given to people. It is still a fun name that people can give themselves if they want. It's a way to say "I AM NOT ASHAMED OF MY BOOK LOVE." It's a title that connects the reading community and makes it one of the best trends on earth.
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