Taking the "Shoulds" Out of Reading

My first rule of Reader's Advisory Service is very clear:

1.   Betty Rosenberg: “Never apologize for your reading tastes.”

• Strike "Guilty Pleasures" from you vocabulary 
• Longer post about books you "should" read
• Set a better example of the first rule of RA

I want to especially point out that second bullet point because it is one I talk and write about frequently and it links to this post entitled, "The Best List of Books to Read Before You Die." Here's the spoiler at the end of that post: 

List of Books to Read Before You Die

1. Any book you want
2. Don't read books you don't want to read
3. That's it
4. Congratulations you did it

I have much more to say about this in that post, but this is the summary of my thoughts. And more importantly, in my version of Readers' Advisory this is the starting line. If you cannot follow the first rule, you are doing it wrong. And yes, I mean to say that. You are wrong if you disagree with me on this. I am leaving no room for argument here. I am the one people all over the world pay to train library workers to provide superior RA Service; therefore, I have earned the right to be unyielding in this.

You (and that you mean you reading this AND your patrons) should read whatever you want for whatever reason you want. And, just because you are a library worker or bookish person, you are not above others. We spend so much time shaming people for what they like to read-- especially genre readers-- and I am never here for this behavior. No matter what anyone wants to read, they should read it. End of sentence.

Now, I am not alone in this viewpoint, even among bookish people (who often are the worst and most snobby about this). Whenever I see a mainstream discussion of this topic, I try to link to it, with a reminder of my first rule. 

The other day, Molly Templeton had this great essay on Reactor entitled, "Taking the 'Shoulds' Out of Reading." I am passing it on because the point is evergreen and essential, and yet too many of us don't subscribe to it.

Read my post and her essay. Then make a conscious effort to not only live your life with the understanding that the books you "should" read are whatever books you want to read, but also, actively share and encourage this point of view on with you colleagues and patrons.