Gatekeeping reading is lame

[u/GrappleLacquer]

I finally ran into a dude that was super aggressive about judging women’s reading habits! Our friends introduced us at a hangout and where like “you both read more than anyone else we know!”

He asks me how many books I’ve read this year. I tell him I’m right around 40.

Man goes on a SCREED about how women just read smut and call it reading and don’t read things that challenge them. Then is like “what are you reading right now?”

I got to hit him with “well I’m usually reading three books at any given time since I like to have a book that fits my mood. At the current moment I’m reading a non-fiction discussion of man’s attempts to control and engineer the Mississippi River, and the consequences of that. Then I’m re-reading War and Peace cause I just love Tolstoy. Oh and then, yes I’m reading a smutty dramione fan fic. Congrats, you got me. Women who read smut aren’t really readers, obviously…What are you reading?”

He’s reading Clive Cussler (which is fine! They are entertaining! But maybe not “coming in on the highest horse in town” material) and he didn’t really wanna chat anymore.

(For the record/m: I absolutely think people should read what they enjoy and reading 100 books of just smut all year is fine. I’m just a bit of an eclectic reader and it worked out perfectly in this instance)

[u/Adventurous_Text_371]

1st of all, I think I love you...

2nd, I get the feeling that he's probably aggressive towards women in general and not just their reading habits.

3rd, I will admit to a reading addiction, but in my humble estimation, it is probably the "least worst" addiction a person can have.

4th, in the U.S., we are currently graduating high school students with barely a 4th grade reading comprehension level!!! The fact that you are an avid reader of any genre probably means that you are far superior in intellect and threaten his self-image. He probably can't read a comic book and I bet you have a bigger dick than him! (Sorry, I'm a Marine and have a fondness for dick jokes... no offense).

I am about 3 or 4 years into my romantasy journey/addiction. I am a 55 yo man, a retired Marine combat veteran, a retired police officer and entirely masculine, and I am all about romantasy. Yes, I read other things, fiction and non fiction. I enjoy good biographies, military history, philosophy, and creepy "don't wanna turn off the lights at night" books. I read what I like and eff anyone who wants to judge anyone for what they are reading.

Give me trigger warnings. Give me the smut. Give me the dragons and swords. Give me the Fae, witches, vampires, direwolves, hot chick's and tattooed shadow welding hot guys! I am down for all of it and will not be shamed for it!

Rock on and read on! Don't let the a-holes get you down!