Reading In Public

phantomwriter14328 Comments

We’ve all done it. At least I hope some of you have. Otherwise, I’ll really feel like a nut.

Who here has completely embarrassed themselves reading in public? *WAVES HAND*

*Crickets*

Nobody else? Crap. It’s just me, then.

Seriously, I see it happen a fair amount, and I know I do it all the time. I giggle or snort or groan or accidentally burst out “HOW COULD HE DO THAT??!?!!” while reading in public places.

For readers such as ourselves, I feel like we should do this more, just to prove to everybody else how awesome-sauce reading is, or at least to start a conversation with some reading noob about how awesome books are. Yes? I think so.

I’ve literally been asked if I was okay when I started laughing hysterically one time at a book I was reading.

And another time, I huffed and slammed my book down on the table, in the middle of a coffee house with a dozen people surrounding me.

Then, of course, come the weird looks, but I’m cool with that. I think the fact that books penetrate my reading poker face means they were exactly the right book for me at the right time. Or maybe they were meant to be read to teach me a lesson. Such as how NOT to write a certain character/passage/plot. Am I right?

Please tell me I’m not the only one who’s embarrassed themselves in public reading. Please!!!

I am? Oh well.

28 thoughts on “Reading In Public”

  1. I’m sorry. I had a long day yesterday and I THOUGHT I scheduled this for my regular time around three this morning. But I actually just published it and disabled the comments. 😳

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  2. You are not alone, it happenes to me normally. It is not embarassing, well, at least for me. I’ ve been laughting and gasping a lot in my 6 years journey through Terry Pratchett’s “Discworld” series, wich I read and reread in two languages. I just can’t imagine someone being emotionless while reading a good book…

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  3. I read a lot of history books and I take a small book to the doctor’s office. Sometimes I shake my head at sad things and sometimes huff. I don’t know if I embarrass myself (hopefully not), but I do read in public.

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  4. One time my boss came to my station and I was in sobbing uncontrollably (I work at a job that is very slow paced so I read a lot). He called me into my office and I had to explain that I had just finished a book series and that I was seriously okay lol

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    • I had a similar experience at one job. I was depressed all day and moping and people kept asking what was wrong because I’m usually so optimistic and happy. A character I loved died and it took me so long to get over it. I still can’t think of it without calling up some sad feelings. Haha! I’m glad I’m not alone. 🙂

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  5. I was homeschooled, and it’s kind of a joke amongst the homeschoolers that you never ever leave your home without AT LEAST one book. Usually, you’ll want to bring a backup or two in case you finish or want to stop the one you’re reading and are stuck somewhere. 🙂
    My personal reading habit is to keep a running commentary on the story as I go, provide the characters with useless advice, and make meaningless (to those around me 🙂 ) threats at the villains.
    I still go nowhere without a good book, whether it’s on tape (did I just date myself??? Okay, audiobook) or a physical book.
    Everyone who sees me in public knows I’m a nut job anyway whether I carry a book or not. I guess I stopped caring a long time ago. I actually think it’s funny when other people think I’m crazy, and they don’t know what they’re missing. 🙂
    I love the “are you okay?” line!! I’ve gotten many looks that say that and similar things. And it always makes me laugh harder!
    I still don’t have a response for the “what happened?!” question when I gasp in shock or horror. I mean, what can you say? “This guy just killed someone! NO, IT’S IN MY BOOK!!!” Or just “Umm… nothing. Everything’s okay”, but I gasped, so they know everything’s obviously not okay, and then they don’t know what to say or do, and that is awkward…
    Loved this post, John! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
    ~ Kat

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    • Hi Kat! I’m Amy, a contributing writer for this blog, and I filled in on this post for John. I’m so glad you liked it!
      I wasn’t homeschooled, but I still always have a book (or two or three) with me at all times. People just don’t understand me when I say I love to read. Or if they ask what my plans are for the evening, it’s lazy or silly in their eyes if I say, “I’m going to read.” But to me, that’s the best way to spend an evening!
      Thank you so much for your lovely comment!

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    • Hi! I’m Amy, a contributing writer for John’s blog and I penned this entry.
      I’m so glad to know there are other people that do things like this! 🙂 For some reason, they’re not wherever I happen to be. Haha! Thanks for commenting!

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  8. I don’t think you’re the only one who does that. 😂 But I’m actually not embarrassed. I like reading in public. I keep busy this way, and it helps with my social anxiety sometimes.

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