The Bookish Snob Tag

Happy Friday, everyone!

You’re getting another tag today, because after the whirlwind of a week I’ve had, I’m way too lazy exhaused to write anything too elaborate 😁

First, my phone somehow decided now would be the perfect time to go into auto-destruct mode, which means I’ve been scrambling to get a replacement and trying to recover all the data I’ve lost… So if you noticed that I haven’t been as active as usual this week, you now know the reason. Seriously, responding to comments on a laptop is way more annoying than on a phone! Using emojis is a nightmare! And we all know I need my emojis! 😍😁

But, to look on the bright side, I have become much more media-savvy because of this. I can proudly say that I now know how to do paragraph breaks on WhatsApp Web. I’ve become a pro at recovering old passwords that I was dumb enough not to write down, sure that I would be able to remember them later. (Spoiler alert: I didn’t.) And now I have reconfiguring my new phone to look forward to! 🤗😅🙄 So I’m pretty sure you can stay tuned for a new rant next week 😁

Second, I’ve been grading math exams pretty much all week, which means I am mentally drained. I mean, usually, I prefer grading exams to grading homework, because in a normal semester, that just means our part of the math department locks itself into one room with lots of cake and tea until all the exams are graded. We can talk to each other, and when someone does something particularly “brilliant”, we can have a good laugh about it together. I know – we math people are a sadistic bunch 🤣

However, this semester, due to covid, everyone was in a separate room. There was no cake (although we did have tea). We couldn’t talk to anyone, which means I spent hours upon hours shut in my office with the knowledge that my red pen had the power to affect the entire mathematical career of these poor first-year students…. Okay, maybe it’s not all that dramatic. But I do think it’s a lot nicer to be able to talk to other people while correcting! (Although I did enjoy finally being able to use my office 😊 It now even has my name next to the door on a very professional looking sign, which definitely IS kind of flattering.)

But anyway, now that I’ve complained a bit and let you see traces of my snobbish tendencies, let’s fully expose them with The Bookish Snob Tag! A big thank you to Riddhi @ Whispering Stories for tagging me in this, even if, as usual, it took me months to finally get to it 😅 But I hope you enjoy my answers anyway!

The Bookish Snob Tag

ADAPTATION SNOB: Do you always read the book before watching the film/TV show?

Also me: *you’re (Yes, I’m a spelling snob, too.)

Usually, yeah. Once I’ve seen an adaptation, it’s next to impossible for me to create my own independent mental imagery for a story. And not trying to brag, but I do think that, 99% of the time, what my imagination comes up with tends to be way cooler and much more vivid than what some of those movies have to offer! So if I want to see an adaptation that’s based on a book I haven’t read yet, I’ll generally rush to read the book first.

But there’s no rule without exceptions 😁 There aren’t many, but I have seen a handful of movies/TV shows before reading the book. The ones I can think of right now are Jurassic Park, The Martian, Pride and Prejudice, The Lord of the Rings, 4.50 from Paddington, The 100, and Pretty Little Liars.

And then there are also several where I’ve never read the source material at all, like Umbrella Academy, Bridgerton or Don Camillo & Peppone… Sacrilegious, I know 😂

FORMAT SNOB: You can only choose one format in which to read books for the rest of your life. Which one do you choose: physical books, eBooks, or audiobooks?

This is super easy: Physical books, duh! Even though I do read them quite often because I’m a poor university student and my local library isn’t that large, I don’t like eBooks much. I don’t know why, but staring at a screen is somehow so much more exhausting than staring at pages! And I just love the smell of books and the feeling of flipping through those pages 🥰

Also, although I enjoy listening to audiobooks while driving or going on walks, I’d never pick them over physical books. Reading at audiobook speed is so torturously slow! Besides, I can’t imagine the character voices myself if they’re already being provided by the audiobook!

SHIP SNOB: Would you date or marry a non-reader?

Sure! As long as he has some other hobby to occupy himself with while I disappear into fictional worlds for hours on end… And he should probably be prepared to hear me gush about them afterwards, too… And I’m not promising that I wouldn’t try to convert him, either… 😁

GENRE SNOB: You have to ditch one genre – never to be read again for the rest of your life. Which one do you ditch?

Erotica. I’ve never seen the appeal of pure smut with no plot, so no loss there 😁

ÜBER GENRE SNOB: You can only choose to read from one genre for the rest of your life. Which genre do you choose?

Why???? How can you do this do me?!?! 😭😭😭

But fantasy it is. As much as I love other genres, fantasy will probably always remain my favorite. I love how there are no predetermined rules about what a fantasy author can and can’t do, and how that gives you the opportunity to explore different political and social ideas, to discover worlds that haven’t been seen before, and to gush over unique nerdy magic systems! And besides, you can combine basically any other genre with fantasy, so I’d still be getting the best of both worlds, right? 🙃

COMMUNITY SNOB: Which genre do you think receives the most snobbery from the bookish community?

Anything targeted towards young women, really. Do you remember the whole “fake reader girls” drama? Though YA paranormal romance and chicklit are probably the two that are targeted the most.

So just in case you need a reminder: Reading is reading, no matter which genres you love! And pretending you’re all sophisticated just because you only read classics and literary fiction is not going to make me think you’re smart; in fact, it will make me think you’re rude and narrow-minded.

Though just to make things clear – I love classics and literary fiction, and if you only want to read those, that’s totally okay! It’s when you start thinking you’re better than others because you exclusively read “highbrow literature” that we’ve got a problem…

And that’s it for the questions!

If you’d like to give this a go – though I certainly won’t be mad if you don’t or if you’ve already done this and I missed it – I tag:

Also, let me know what you thought of my answers in the comments! Do you relate to any of them? Would you say that some of them could be considered snobbish? What’s your snobbiest bookish habit? Feel free to tell me down below!

35 thoughts on “The Bookish Snob Tag”

    • abookowlscorner says:
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      Well, I guess I will have to pick it up then 😆 Because the adaptation is absolutely amazing, too – those are some of my favorite movies of all time, so if the original is just as awesome, I can’t imagine I’ll be disappointed 🤗 I don’t even know why I never read the book, either… Maybe because it took me years to realize there even was one? 😅 But I’d definitely recommend checking the movies out, too!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Riddhi B. says:
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    Well, I have never really had a phone (like a smart phone, I own a keypad one though), so I have all my apps installed on my tablet. And since it is like super slow, I use everything- wp, whatsapp and instagram on laptop, so I don’t relate a lot to you losing your phone😂😂
    Also, I love all those images!!!! And erotica is pointless, truly.
    Thanks for doing the tag!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Line says:
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    You use your phone to answer comments?!? It’s so funny because I could never do that 😂 I need my laptop for that. I do relate to most of your actual answers, though! I was surprised to learn that you watched Lord of the Rings before reading them. I did that too, and I’ve often figured that was why I didn’t like the books. The few times I’ve read the book after watching the movie, I always end up preferring the movie, but maybe that’s just a coincidence.

    I was also very happy to find out that you’re watching Umbrella Academy because I’m obsessed and I need a new season!

    And thanks for the tag! I’m definitely going to do this one! 😄

    Liked by 1 person

    • abookowlscorner says:
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      Well, judging by these comments, I am apparently the odd one out 😂 But seriously – responding with a phone is so much easier! Especially since I can just grab it and it’ll be switched on anyway, whereas my laptop is turned off unless I’m working on something. It’s so inconvenient!

      And I’m very sorry to have destroyed your theory 😁 Though you may not be entirely wrong! I have hardly anything to complain about regarding The Lord of the Rings adaptation, which might be because I saw it first. In fact, out of the very few movies/series that I think were better than the book, most of them are also ones where I read the book later, like The 100, Jurassic Park or Pretty Little Liars. The only exception I can think of is 13 Reasons Why – I read the book first and saw the series later but still think the adaptation is way better 😁 But in German we have a saying “Die Ausnahme bestätigt die Regel”, which might mean your theory is correct! 🤣 (Also, I did read The Hobbit before watching The Lord of the Rings, so maybe that influenced my opinion? 🤔 And that also means that I now picture all the LotR characters that also appear in The Hobbit my own way, and all the other ones look very similar to their movie versions. It’s very weird 😅)

      And I totally need a new Umbrella Academy season, too! Although I did find out that German Netflix has Rita, so I guess I can use that to bridge the gap 😁

      Also, you’re welcome for the tag! I’m very interested to see how well I can predict your answers 😉 For example, I’m fairly sure you’ll agree with me on the fantasy one 😄

      Liked by 1 person

      • Line says:
        Reply

        Okay I see your point. My computer is pretty much turned on if I’m home, and it’s just easier to type on an actual keyboard 😅

        And I’m glad you tried to defend my theory anyway 😄 I still think it kind of holds. I’ve definitely stopped reading the books after watching the movie because of that. And with 13 Reasons Why? I haven’t come across anyone who loved that book more than the adaption. I loved the show, but didn’t want to bother with the book because everyone seems to hate it!

        And I’m very curious about what you think of Rita if you watch it. I’ve heard foreigners be quite concerned after they’ve see it 😅

        Yeah, I’m going to have a hard time being mysterious about what one genre I’m going to read 😂

        Liked by 1 person

        • abookowlscorner says:
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          I guess that does make sense 😁 I definitely also prefer typing on my laptop, which is why I’d never write an entire blogpost or something of similar scope on my phone 😅 But for comments, it’s perfect, especially when I want to use emojis!

          I’m also glad I didn’t deter you from your excellent theory 🤣 And concerning 13 Reasons Why, I definitely didn’t hate the book! I remember enjoying it while I was reading it, but I also didn’t think it was anything special. Apart from Clay and Hannah, all the characters were the blandest cardboard cutouts you could ever imagine 🙄 So I was very pleasantly surprised when the show actually gave us interesting side characters with complex personalities and backstories! It’s definitely way better than the book, so I don’t think your missing out if you never read it. After the epicness of the show, you’d probably just feel severly let down 😅

          And if anything, that comment of yours has just made me even more curious and excited to watch Rita 😂

          Liked by 1 person

    • abookowlscorner says:
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      Haha, I kind of feel you there! 😁 Though for me, it’s not so much knowing what’ll happen that bothers me (I mean, I also reread my books a ton, so I’m used to that 😁), but not being able to picture things my own way once I’ve seen the movie! I really like getting to imagine the characters and their surroundings, and if I watch the movie first, I’ll automatically envision things the way they looked there 😅 But we can definitely agree on the fact that reading the book first is better!!

      Like

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  6. Strawberrys Corner says:
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    This was so great! I loved your answers and it comes at a great time because I have no post prepared for Tuesday since I’m still feeling unwell and unmotivated to do much at all so I think I might have to use this tag haha

    I do agree with most of these however, apart from the book genre you would choose to read, I love fantasy so much but for me, it has to be horror. Good luck with all the technology stuff! It hates me too but it’s computers that have it out for me…haha

    Liked by 1 person

    • abookowlscorner says:
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      Haha, thanks, Meena! 😊 And I’d love to see your take on these questions, so feel free to consider yourself tagged! Although I do hope you feel better and motivated again soon!

      Also, thanks for wishing me luck on all the technology stuff – I definitely need it! 😁 Honestly, with all the mysterious things that keep happening when I try to get certain apps installed, I might as well be in my own version of a horror story 🤣 Though I must say I’m not the hugest horror fan, so I’d never pick that over fantasy! 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Abby @ Beyond the Read says:
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    Heyyy fellow phone user for answering comments!! I was so confused reading other people’s comments on this post because I personally find using a laptop so much harder! Whenever I need to use an emoji I have to press a bunch of keys on the keyboard and it’s ridiculously tiring 😂

    I agree, I 100% prefer the worlds my imagination comes up with over the CGI from Hollywood 😏 It’s such a shock whenever someone who looks nothing like how I imagined the character is cast in an adaptation. (Looking at you, Four from Divergent 😂) And ahaha I love all the memes you included in this post!! The one with the physical book vs. e-book is hilarious but also so accurate 😆

    And thanks so much for the tag!! I’ve seen this one floating around and this is the perfect excuse for me to answer these questions 😄 Great post Naemi!! (And good luck with grading and all the technology 😅)

    Liked by 1 person

    • abookowlscorner says:
      Reply

      Finally, someone who understands my predicament 🤣 I was seriously starting to doubt my judgment regarding my comment-answering habits, so I’m relieved you agree with me, Abby! Pressing hundreds of keys to get an emoji is exactly why I much prefer my phone over my laptop 😁

      And haha, yeah, Four looks nothing like I imagined him, either 🤣 But, I’m not gonna lie – Theo James isn’t bad-looking at all… So I guess I don’t mind too much? 😁 But still, I will always get upset when movies get details wrong that were clearly described in the book. Or disappointed when something I had this really epic vision for looks like someone threw it together in about five minutes without further thought 🙄

      Also, I’m glad you liked the memes, and you’re very welcome for the tag! I’d love to see your spin on these questions 🤗 Though feel free to take your time – we all know it takes me ages to finally do my tags, so I’m definitely not one to judge 😁

      Liked by 1 person

    • abookowlscorner says:
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      Haha, well, at least you agree that it’s easier to read and comment on other people’s posts by phone – I’m baffled by how many people apparently prefer their laptop! 😁 But I guess it’s all a matter of what we’re used to 😂

      Liked by 1 person

    • abookowlscorner says:
      Reply

      Thanks, Allison! Yes, fantasy is just the best! 😁 And romance is way better than erotica! I need that slow burn and all the pining after one another! And a bit of plot doesn’t hurt, either 😉

      Like

  11. Nefeli says:
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    First of all, sorry for commenting on this so late- life has been wack lately. Secondly, I hope grading went well for you despite the lack of cake! I also hope you’ve adjusted to your new phone. I had to change mine for a new one too recently and it took me a while to get used to it. I usually reaspond to comments on my laptop, but if it didn’t have the emoji keyboard shortcut, I think I’d use my phone too 😉.

    As for your answers, I enjoyed reading them and I can relate. You are absolutely right, staring at a screen is way more tiring than staring at physical pages of a book and that’s the main reason I don’t read ebooks. Having poor eyesight just makes it worse 😂.

    I also agree on Erotica. I understand why people enjoy it, but it makes me uncomfortable to even think about it 😳. For some reason, I was sure you’d pick fantasy for the final question the minute I read it. It really is a versatile genre!

    Thank you for tagging me to do this! I hope I get to do it soon!

    Liked by 1 person

    • abookowlscorner says:
      Reply

      Don’t worry, our crazy lives should always be prioritized over blogging! 😁 I hope things calm down a bit soon for both of us 😉 And haha, yes, the new phone adjustment is going strong! I’ve got most of the new fancy features figured out by now – the only thing that still annoys me is the keyboard, because half of the time, when I want to switch languages, it turns on the microphone instead and I don’t know why 😭 And it isn’t as used to the way I type yet as my old phone was, either, so I somehow feel as though everything takes way longer… But we’re getting there! 🤣

      And I’m so glad someone agrees on my ebook and erotica gripes! 😅 I look forward to more complaining once you do this post 😉 Feel free to take all the time you want, though! If anyone can relate to being behind on tags, it’s me 😂

      Liked by 1 person

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  13. Pilar says:
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    I didn’t even know that Jurassic Park had a book… 😅😬 I just watched all the movies and loved them, but I’m not sure if I’d ever consider giving the books a try. And the same with The 100, though in the very far future when I decide that I’m no longer bitter about that horrible ending, I might pick them up to get some Bellarke content 😉😍

    These answers were amazing Naemi, and thank you so much for tagging me!! I can’t wait to answer all these 😆

    Liked by 1 person

    • abookowlscorner says:
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      The Jurassic Park books are great! Michael Crichton is definitely worth checking out if you ever want to get into sci-fi 😊 Jurassic Park is his most famous work, but he’s also come up a bunch of other really cool stuff 😉

      The 100 books, though… not so much 😅 If you ask me, they’re not far removed from that horrible ending… Seriously, I couldn’t even appreciate all the Bellarke stuff because they were so terribly written 🙈 But who knows – maybe you’ll like them more than I did! And nothing can really be worse than that ending 😠😂

      Also, you’re welcome for the tag! I can’t wait to read what answers you come up with! 🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      • Pilar says:
        Reply

        Ohh, I’ll definitely check out the Jurassic Park books because I’m very intrigued 👀 And The 100… I think I will trust your judgement on this one 😂, I was already doubtful and I haven’t heard many good things about them 😬

        Liked by 1 person

        • abookowlscorner says:
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          I hope you like them if you do pick them up! And I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone else say they thought The 100 books are great, either, so yeah, I don’t think they’re the most popular 😅🤣

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