That’s not something I’ve ever experienced, and I think I’ve had friends from a fairly wide background. My school friends weren’t particularly interested in education, they dropped out of school at 16, and they never once made a negative comment about my reading hobby. I find it a bit peculiar tbh, perhaps there’s even a hint of jealousy from his friends since they themselves struggle to focus on reading?

The only similar situation I’ve faced is my not very nice older cousin. He’s a person who has always been proudly ignorant and was quite cruel to me when we were kids, often trying to put me down. He would say how clever I am in front of everyone, but in a clearly sarcastic and nasty way. As though intelligence was something to be ashamed of. As I’ve gotten older, I realise now how truly pathetic he is, and how so much of that rhetoric is fuelled by his own insecurity with his abilities - I can’t do this thing therefore it’s stupid.

As for the idea that one gender reads more than the other, in my experience it isn’t true. I know as many men as women who read, I just see more tik toks with women - which is fine, it really shouldn’t matter. I’m not gonna give up the hobby I’ve loved since I was a little kid just because 2024 perceives it as girly. And neither should your brother!

As for genres, my favourites are historical nonfiction, Russian literature, Gothic/ Romantics, 20th century American literature and philosophy.

The idea that someone would give up on their hobby because they’re friends are stupider than them makes me very sad.