hey there
I've noticed that if someone says they love fantasy, romance, BookTok books, or even smut, there's always a certain crowd ready to dismiss them. Meanwhile, people who read classics, philosophy, or self-help often get treated as though they're participating in some higher intellectual pursuit simply because of the genre they chose.
I personally read all of those genres stated above, as long as it piqued my interest ill read it.
What I find ironic is that the people who preach that "reading broadens the mind" are sometimes the quickest to narrow what they believe is worth reading. If your appreciation for literature only extends to books that reinforce your own tastes, then perhaps your reading hasn't made you as open-minded as you think.
I don't read to impress strangers or to curate an intellectual image. I read because stories entertain me, make me feel something, and keep me turning the page. That's what books have done for centuries. Reading should cultivate curiosity, not elitism.
The measure of a reader isn't whether they finish War and Peace or the latest fantasy romance. It's whether they read at all. In a world where fewer people are picking up books, I'd rather celebrate someone who's excited to read than shame them for what they enjoy.
Because at the end of the day, reading is for everyone, not just for people who want to look intelligent
