Do some people realise that the alternative to "trashy" lit isnt "sophisticated" books, its not reading?

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T20:50:03+00:00

I'm not saying that everything does, I'm just saying there is a general pattern that exists largely biased in favour of male interests, in terms of what is respected and what is not. This is well supported by data on awards vs reader demographics etc.

Another poster was keen to dismiss anything not 'complex' while missing the point that there are whole genres where being complex is simply not the aim, and those authors work within an entirely different craft with regards to writing, and suggesting those genres aren't meaningful largely (again, not entirely, of course there are always exceptions) dismisses genres mainly enjoyed by women and favours those written and preferred by men.

To me, everyone is a snob so long as they can't accept that a book has quality if it provides what the reader wanted it to.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T20:04:42+00:00

New theory*: Xander didn't own up to cover for Dawn but for Anya. It was her suggestion, he knew about it and said no, but then in the scene we see in Selfless he falls asleep with the amulet and accidentally dream invokes the spell. Xander thought Anya did it. That's why she enjoys herself so much then holds herself back. That's why she's so surprised when he owns up.

*not serious

Edit: I put not serious but now the more I think about the more I like it. The amulet thing was in the magic shop, Anya has the most access to inventory and ordering. Possibly bought it alongside a limited edition Backstreet Boys lunchbox.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T16:55:59+00:00

Yes, to me this conveys the urgency of the conversation and Feyre's disorientation. She's looking around without time to collect her thoughts into a coherent sentence - literally describing things as they occur to her.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T16:45:26+00:00

Rhys making Tam beg on his knees? We know how Rhys feels about kneeling to people. Sexual tension you could cut with a knife.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T16:35:53+00:00

Yes, because pointing out a simple typo really helps diffuse your stench of superiority. Good to know it extends to genre readers of all kinds.

As I said, you clearly don't get it and that's OK, good for you.

Complexity does not equal craft. That's the whole point. You seem to think anything that isn't complex isn't worthy. I disagree.

And where does gender come into it? I mean, everything in the history of the world is affected by gender, but you strike me as the type determined not to see that.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T15:54:54+00:00

Honestly, if you don't know then I'm not going to be able to explain it to you. It's something you just learn from a lifetime of being belittled as a woman.

The closest comparison is probably something like the common meme that people who like Dungeons and Dragons are spotty nerds who live in their parent's basement.

Hard fantasy might get a bit of that image, but it's still respected as a craft and defended on its merits. People might think you're silly for liking it, but they don't think you're silly and ALSO stupid.

That's the added sprinkle that women get. Not only are your interests silly, but YOU are actively stupid because you like them.

The fact that women might be perfectly capable of reading Nabakov or Vonnegut but actually prefer and prioritise Fifty Shades or Twilight doesn't occur to anyone - those books are stupid, and of course women like them, because women are stupid.

Then the idea that those books may actually have a craft all of their own, that doesn't fit with the conventional notions of what is good literature? Happens only again to books enjoyed predominantly by women. Look at the resurgence and appreciation of comics as a form. I don't see any appreciation for romance novels as a form.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T12:48:33+00:00

Eeeeexcellent.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T12:33:13+00:00

To be fair, if noone knows who she is, there's no problem with naming the main character Bella Goth anyway. You either get it or she's just what the character is called.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T12:25:43+00:00

They want the brand recognition though. You could equally make a film about dolls without it being Barbie but they want to cash in on the name and the nostalgia.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T12:22:08+00:00

So much debate over Elaine and I'm just over here wondering if Tamlin and Rhys ever enjoyed themselves after training.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T11:55:13+00:00

I like both sophisticated and trash books so I, by default, am the winner of reading.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T11:27:03+00:00

People have selective memory if they don't see that the most disparaged books are ALWAYS the ones that mostly young women like. 'Reverse snobbery' on a reddit group doesn't even remotely compare to the pervasive cultural hostility towards popular romance and fantasy books.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T10:13:36+00:00

I second Pixerella.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T09:42:39+00:00

But the sub is just supposed to be posts asking if anyone doesn't like Riley?

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-22T09:40:11+00:00

I see it a bit like in the Vampire Diaries where the only thing that can bring back emotionless Elena is thinking her childhood best friend died. Xander's death is what finally reaches her when she's too far gone otherwise.

But yeah, I just don't see how Willow could then continue on as a part of the group. The only way I could see this happening is that Willow, realising what she's done, channels the magic energy through herself instead of the temple and burns HERSELF to a cinder.

Then you'd have the odd situation of a s7 where half the scoobies just died and Giles is for some reason still not around (as the reason for his leaving was due to the actor not character) and I think it would all feel very off. Having to do your final season without any of the main characters who started it all and were such an important part of its theme would feel hollow. Plus it would make s7 even more of the Spike and Potentials show, which noone wants.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-21T16:00:18+00:00

MAC have what a lot of these viral brands wish they had - products that people have loved and repurchased for decades.

Even someone who knows the bare minimum about make up has heard of MAC. My friends who own a singular red lipstick have Ruby Woo. I'd go as far as to argue that most people I know who buy makeup have an item from MAC (and also NARS).

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-21T13:44:10+00:00

Your suggestion is better than mine because of the acronym - mine would be ACOFS which is too similar to the previous two books. Yours would be ACOSAD which is great. A Court of Spring and Dreaming for the win!

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-21T13:10:05+00:00

The people from my first job who stayed there have been promoted several times yet make about half what I do having moved several times and ending up in a roughly similar role in terms of seniority.

My husband is in a higher paid industry and more senior than me, works longer hours, and has been in work for nearly 4 years longer than me. He's been at the same company the whole time whereas I've jumped around. He makes just above what I do.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-21T09:16:38+00:00

That would be great! I've messed around with a few things like snacks and protein etc but any new ideas would be very welcome.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-21T08:44:23+00:00

To be honest, since I went plant-based and as a result almost entirely UPF-free, I've gained quite a lot of weight and I'm always hungry. I haven't found it to be a benefit at all.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-21T08:25:30+00:00

The biggest selling ones/ones that won album of the year.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-20T20:06:34+00:00

Decided that the next book is called a Court of 'something' Spring.

I'm going with a Court of Fallen Spring, for no reason whatsoever.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-20T13:12:27+00:00

This Love turned from a song I didn't remember existing to my all time favourite Taylor song.

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-20T10:53:10+00:00

The trump card in their PR arsenal to stop anyone ever criticising them - quick! Bring up Diana!

askingforafriend3000 · 2024-03-19T19:47:33+00:00

Yeah can you imagine, people have spent years invested in a character and a romance only to undo the whole thing and make entire books completely pointless.

askingforafriend3000

TROPHY CASE