“Reader’s Bill of Rights
1. The right to not read
2. The right to skip pages
3. The right to not finish
4. The right to reread
5. The right to read anything
6. The right to escapism
7. The right to read anywhere
8. The right to browse
9. The right to read out loud
10. The right to not defend your tastes”
― Daniel Pennac
There are so many spoken and unspoken rules about reading and frankly, my dear, it’s maddening. At a young age, you’re expected to develop a love of the written word. This I dig. Reading is a wonderful pastime to entertain, educate, and inspire. But if you force kids to read the classics and the classics alone? Well, love might not be something they develop until later in life…if at all.
In the eighth grade, Jules Verne’s 1,000 Leagues Under the Seas was foisted upon me. Now, I was a reluctant reader from the get-go. I couldn’t get into it until I discovered Hank the Cowdog and The Wolfing at the tender age of ten. Leagues plus a slew of other classics might’ve wrecked the unsteady foundation I’d been building. I don’t remember reading for fun for another few years (I know.)
At age seventeen, I was saved from a world of ignorance and misery by J.R.R. Tolkien. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings were books I chose and therefore loved more dearly. Not only did they open the door to the wonderful world of fantasy, they made me want to read more widely. I picked up classics of my own accord—GASP! I came to love Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, and Wilkie Collins. On my own terms, at that.
Since my love of reading is secured, I want to take a look at the unnecessary rules we give ourselves as mentioned by Mr. Pennac. The first one is a big one: DNF.
DNF (did not finish) means exactly what it says. It’s okay to put down a book you’re not enjoying, especially if it’s not required reading for work or school. Give yourself permission to quit. If you’re worried about what others might think, don’t tell them. It’s none of their business what you do or don’t read to begin with. But if you want to challenge yourself, it’s also okay to trudge through and finish, even if you hate every second of it. Don’t let me tell you what to do, either.
Not reading is fine. This one makes me sad, but it’s true. You’re free to read or not. I encourage you to read much and read widely for your continuing education and inspiration, but no one’s making you. And if they’re judging you for your habits, are they really good friends to begin with? If they’re not friends, why are you listening to their opinions in the first place? In the words of a popular Bob Newhart skit: “STOP IT.”
This one makes me shudder, but it’s okay to skip pages. Especially if they’re triggering or boring. If you think you’ll miss something important, you can ask a trusted friend to read and summarize the page/s for you. If you can’t enjoy the book if you’re constantly coming upon songs and poems, skipping is legit. The point is that you’re reading, right?
Rereading is awesome! Isn’t there a saying about rereading your favorites? That coming back years later, you bring a new perspective? Another benefit: reading once for entertainment and the second time to dissect how and why the text works.
If someone judges you for your curiosity, ignore them. Read what you deem appropriate for yourself. You know your own tastes and temperament better than anyone, right?
Reading to escape is a legit reason to pick up a book. If I only picked up a book to learn, I’d be kind of miserable. The world is a dark place, especially these days. There is nothing wrong from getting away from reality for a while. We always come back, refreshed and with new ideas of how to cope (even if coping means simply picking up a new book.)
You can read it in a car. You can read it in a park. You can read it on the dock, you can read it on a walk. You can read a book anywhere. In a pub or at home in your underwear! (Sorry, that was a creepy Dr. Seussian attempt.)
Browse. And smell the books every once in a while. Did you know that the smell of old books is actually the paper decaying? More info here.
Read aloud. The act of reading aloud can help a writer find typos in their own work.
And if you feel the need to defend what you’re reading? Well, that is between you, yourself, and God. I’m against judging others for their literary tastes, personally.
In summary of this whole essay: read without looking over your shoulder or your neighbor’s.
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Want to read books that bridge the gap between young adult and adult fantasy? The Goblets Immortal and the Blade & Bone books might just fit the bill. Check your local public library or click here.
Thanks for reading!
Beth
Beth Overmyer 