THREAD:

There's something I've been bothered by for a while, but it's really gotten under my skin this year: fussing at people (playfully or otherwise) for not reading a book right away.

"OMG, how have you not read that yet?!"

"I can't believe you haven't finished that!"

1/

Whether the book in question is an ARC or a book that just came out or a book that came out two years ago — people read things in their own time, and just because they haven't gotten to it yet, doesn't lessen how excited they are, how much they love the author, etc. 2/

And most people mean these comments good-naturedly, but it can sting when you're reading a book by an author you love, and you're enjoying the book, but the world is on fire and you're anxious and so you're reading the book SLOOOOWLY in case it might hurt you in the end, and 3/

all anyone can say to you is, "I can't believe you didn't finish that! I read it in one sitting!"

That's nice, but it doesn't work out that way for everyone! You don't know a person's situation, and implying that they're a "lesser" fan than you is major gate-keeping! 4/

Here are a few alternatives I'd like to offer for your consideration:

"I hope you enjoy it when you read it!"

"You have such a great read ahead of you!"

"I'm excited for that release, too! If you finish it soon, let me know how it was!"

"I hope you're liking it so far!" 5/

At the end of the day, that "harmless", playful comment you make ("you've been working on that for months! aren't you enjoying it?!") might be digging into someone's insecurities (reading slumps, slow reading, too much anxiety in life, etc.), and you might not even know it! 6/

I'm not trying to make anyone feel "called out" or defensive, only asking that, if you say these things to people and have never thought about it from this perspective before, maybe mull it over a little. We could all use more grace and kindness in this world! 7/7