Reading incognito
Monday, April 2, 2012 at 05:01AM
Women can now download electronic erotica on their Kindles, Nooks and iPads anywhere they want, with no bodice-ripping Fabio cover to give them away. Maureen Dowd, March 31, 2012
When I started reading on my Kindle six years ago, the LWW must have asked me three times a day what I was reading. My standard response was always, "Porn." I don't know why she stopped asking.
I have a love/hate relationship with book covers. They've sucked me into buying a title many times. They are great icebreakers with your seatmate on a long flight ("So how do you like that Dan Brown?") They look pretty on the coffee table.
But at the same time, I am just as happy reading incognito. I think it stems from when as a kid I finished reading all the Hardy Boy mysteries and moved on to Nancy Drew, definitely a "girl's" book I didn't want to be seen reading. And as an adult it was embarrassing to have to go the romance section of B&N to get the latest in the Gabaldon Outlander series. It is historical fiction, not romance, I'd advise the store clerk.
As sad and troubling as these trials may have been for me, I think we all know kids in our schools and libraries who might read more, read more broadly, and certainly read more at an appropriate reading level, if other students couldn't see what they are reading.
Who want to be seen reading a "baby" book? A book written for the other gender? (The old rule of thumb is that girls will read boys' books but boys won't read girls' books.) A book that may identify a personal problem being experienced. (A book on divorce written for teens, for example.) Even books that are controversial or have strong political or religious messages, can subject the young reader to teasing or questioning.
We need to figure out how to get our materials into digital format as soon as possible. Reading on a digital reader will remove stigmas that may well discourage reading.
Oh, Ms Dowd, I'm guessing it's not just women who are downloading erotica to their Nooks. I a little suprised B&N didn't call it the Nook-E.
Reader Comments (2)
I am happy to find another Nancy Drew fan, regardless of gender. How do you feel about Sue Grafton, Martha Grimes or Elizabeth George? And did you ever read Edmund Crispin?
Seriously, your point is well taken and one I forwarded to my colleagues.
Janet
Hi Janet,
I have to admit that I don't much read women fiction writers of any genre anymore. The Gabaldon and (Mary) Renaults are few and far between. Perhaps it is because women tend to deal with personalities and men with action - a gross overstatement to be sure. I do dip my toe in the waters of female detective writers now and then, but generally return to my favorites - Connelly, Silva, Harris, and Child. I've not tried Crispen, either, I'm afraid.
Life is short. Read fast (and selectively).
Sorry,
Doug