This is the one bad thing about libraries and stores, though. Yes, I am a teenage boy. yes, I do want to buy this musical soundtrack. Yes, I do want to rent this disney movie. Yes, I do want to check out this Young Adult LGBT book. I know it's their job not to judge, but I just can't help feeling like they do. Like, I have my interests. I really don't care what you think is for children or women or whatever, if something is good, I'm going to enjoy it. I don't care who it's aimed for, I care that the story is intriguing and well done.
If you're a teenager, you're supposed to be the target demographic for YA books. Why would they look at you askance? And if anything, musicals are more an adult entertainment, because it takes a large chunk of a year's salary to buy a ticket on Broadway anymore, or even a ticket to a touring production. I know that from bitter experience. If a teenager wanted to buy a soundtrack, why not? I was obsessed with Stephen Sondheim's musicals when I was a teenager and I have the soundtracks for almost everything he ever wrote (or wrote lyrics for).
Benjamin Wambeke yeah, I really love reading literature and classical books. I'm still young and like to wear beanies and dark clothes so I always feel people judging me because some of these books are very thick and difficult :/
I had the opposite I was buying a ya book the other day (I am 30)and the shop assistant who was much older than me was talking to me about how much she loved the series!!
Never had anyone give me flack over books, but years ago I went in to a store to buy some CDs. I grabbed a bunch of goodies, some Slipknot, Deftones, Seether, Disturbed, and Katy Perry. Mind you I looked the part of the stereotypical metal head. Big dude, long hair, black band tee, a nice long bear, wristbands. It just so happened that the Kay Perry cd being the one I grabbed first was at the bottom of the stack. When I cashed out the lady ringing them up said "excuse me sir I don't think you meant to grab this." I had to laugh, it was too hilarious.
***** I kind of feel bad for kids like that. You'd hope that parents would understand the importance of teaching their kids about diversity and acceptance of the oh-so-ominous other, but it just doesn't happen. There are really only two possible outcomes. Either the kid grows to understand that their way is no better than anybody else's, or they grow up to be utterly useless in a modern economy and get to bag groceries for the rest of their life, or until cashiers are extinct, whichever comes first.
enginesnblades Freaking LOVE me some Deftones and Slipknot! I get crap from my buddies because I still listen to Slipknot. They always tell me that their a teenager metal band..... I really don't care and I can't help myself, I just love them so much!
Honestly the big draw of bands like Slipknot to teenagers is that they're so visceral... which is kind of the point of music isn't it? Seems silly that we shouldn't like something because it effectively achieves it's primary goal.
Hahahahha...I think I'm in love. God, I have so much hate for book snobs, I can't even... "IF IT'S NOT CLOTHBOUND, I'M NOT READING IT." I fell off my chair laughing XD
I work in a bookshop and I genuinely love it when adults look in the YA section because it has such a bad reputation and is judged way too harshly by people not in that "age bracket".
I know this is more than three years old, but it made me really sad. I was a bookseller for a very long time and I would hate to think anyone I worked with treated any of our customers in this way. Even though it has been quite some time since I left, I am still friends with loads of my colleagues, and we all still read the odd YA book, even though, as one of the youngest of the group, I will be 40 next year! I hope your local shop has found some nicer staff since this video was made. Despite the sadness, you did make me laugh too, so subbed!! ^.^
I think the worst encounter I had was with a taxi driver, I was sat in the back as you do and was talking to my sister about the daughter of smoke and bone trilogy and the mistborn series, he interrupted me half way through a sentence asking what the books are about, so I told him and then he lectured me about how "no wonder young people (he was 25 at the most) these days are so stupid, all you read is garbage" and that "you should try reading a proper book, you can't call yourself a reader if you read fantasy" smh he was such a snob, he wasn't even saying anything about YA, he was calling fantasy as a whole 'complete rubbish' -.- (he also spent 10 minutes listing books about psychology and other related topics so I could (and I quote) "maybe grow a brain"
I hate it when people u don't know but into conversations I'm always thinking "oh I didn't know I was being spied on!" He sounds like a dick or a weird obsessive killer x
once when I was 16, I was in the YA section with my dad, and I was showing him some books and we were talking and it was great - and then a lady comes up and asks if she can help. And we say no, we're just looking. And she sees the book I'm holding (acomaf) and straight up says to my dad "Um so just to be aware, this book contains some themes of an adult nature, it's really not appropriate for younger people." And dad says thank you, and I just ahhhhhh I just get so annoyed!! Because she (a) interrupted a good conversation and (b) gave her opinion when it wasn't called for. I don't even look younger than I am. Seriously I'm so done
As a fairly advanced reader as a youngster, one day when I visited the library, I wanted to try some of the books in the adult section, but I was firmly steered back to the kids section as the books in the adult section were too “old” for me. Not much YA around when I was a teenager in the late 80s, early 90s....sigh!
LMAO omg you left and then came back and came back again (T_T) LMAO Omg...we are like the same...I hate making other people feel uncomfortable so I like bend over BACKWARDS...we are MENTAL LOL. LOL "Les Mes is long isn't it?" LOL omg "What can you do in THIS neighborhood..."😂 What the Hell does THAT mean. LOL like does she walk out the door and have to fight her way to her car? I mean are there gremlin children in the streets?! oh my GOD you need a new book store 😂😂😂😂😂 I hate looking for books on the same aisle as other people. I don't know why...like I just want the entire aisle to myself. You are hilarious. SUBED
This was so amusing! I was a snob about romance novels when I was a teenager. Now that I am an adult, romance novels are 95% of my reading list so I know better than to give adults who enjoy YA a hard time.
I've never had anybody try to herd me to the "correct" section. Then again I'm a lot older so maybe they think I'm buying for my kids... I'd have said "It's an age guideline, not a law!"
I'm 19 and I hate it when I go to the library and I want to check out a YA book and the workers there look at me like "Um what are you doing in the YA section?" :(
I personally don't read YA, but sometimes I'm in that section anyway because adult books are shelved there. When I wanted to read _Kenilworth_ by Sir Walter Scott, a historical novel set in the Elizabethan Era, I had to go into the "Children's Room" because that's where they had bizarrely decided to shelve it. And that's not the only time I've had to do that either. I don't know what their process of selection is, but it throws up some real oddities at times.
Ive never had an incident in a store buying books. I kinda give that "leave me alone vibe". But I was reading a YA book at work once and this older co-worker (who supposedly wrote a book or was in the process of writing on at the time), asked what I was reading and when I showed him he called it trash. I had never been more offended in my life. As long as people are reading it shouldn't matter what they are reading.
I usually know what I want in bookshops so never had that situation however I have had it the other way! I work in a library but if I try and recommend YA to some people they just look at me as though I'm mad and are all, 'well, no, I'd rather read proper ficfion.' Gets me so mad that I can never formulate a reply or I'd likely loose my job!
With video rentals the clerk would always question my choices? "You're renting that? That movie is so lame" I'd go home feeling shunned watch the movie... love the movie. Easily learned that everyone opinions are different and people at the till are those I would trust the least to know about my reading interests. I feel your pain and hope the snobbery gets easier for you.
I used to be a bit of a book snob myself, I couldn't and refused to understand how and why people read and enjoyed horror. And then I found internet horror stories, and grew a soft spot for horror. I now have two horror books in my small shelf and plan to get more as time goes on. (one of them is Stephen King, because, well, horror).
I haven't read that one. I really wanna make a horror recommends video. But I like the Stephen King book Misery. Its abit too long but apart from that its amazing. Annie is the best character of all time and the film with Cathy Bates is sooo good!
Hannah booksandbeauty Misery was one of the books on the list that I wanted by him: Others that I thought of grabbing now included It and Lisey's Story, because I've heard both are good.
I've had the same experience in a book shop. I was in the music section looking for Fleetwood Mac. This guy came up to me and asked if I needed help. I replied with "no thanks! I'm just looking for Fleetwood Mac. I've always listened to them. I don't know why I never owned any copies." This was just me being polite. He straight up replied "You never owned any because they suck. I played in a band and traveled the country and played with many great musicians, trust me I know what good music is." WTF WHAT SA SAYS THAT TO THEIR EMPLOYEES???
I was once in a situation similar to yours but it was the other way around. I'm a teenager and I was in the Classics Section and a lady came and said to me that the YA Section was downstairs, haha.
Oh goodness lol that was helarious! oh you had me rolling laughing lol. I had that same issue, but reading classical fiction. I picked up Jane Eyre and this sales woman in her probably 60s looked at me funny, she asked me why are you reading that? I replied, I enjoy classic books and I love history. She then said you know the middle school books are on the other side right dear? Maybe your teacher can pick up a book for you, better suited at your level. The woman patted me on the shoulder and left, I just stood there dumbfounded. She thought I was in middle school! lol I'm 23 years old, yet I could pass for 15 lol. Oooh yes, good times. :D
ahaha I have had the whole 'You're WAY too old to read YA fiction' happen to me in bookstores so many times. It's so snobby to assume the second you turn 17/18/19/20 you can't read YA anymore!
Cory Doctorow wrote an article years ago about how the YA market would become the big money-maker for publishing. Many Adult fiction authors have since found great success writing YA fiction. At times we forget that a label shouldn't get in the way of a great story.
I'm 22 but i'm so short I look like a child. So, I've never had someone ask why i'm buying or reading YA. I feel like I get more weird stares when i'm looking for classics lol.
My husband & I are big readers & this video had us rolling!!! So accurate! I love YA as well & it's amazing how many people have such a huge problem with that!! I'm 26 & shamelessly love YA!
I personally hate it when people shame the YA section and call it trash. They usually also mention they only read this other, more sophisticated genre and it’s so blatant they’re only doing it to seem better than everybody else. It’s like the ‘remember when movies were good?’ thing all over again.
hahaha that was amazing. I'm sorry to be laughing at your pain but that's EXACTLY what I would have done in that hunger games scenario (in all of them to be honest). I'm glad that I'm not the only one whose non-confrontational to the point of being awkward. LOVED THIS VIDEO! AHH!
I've had two moments like this in my life that I remember. When I was in elementary school, we had to take reading level tests to help us choose books at our correct reading levels. I scored pretty high, so whenever I went into the school library to borrow a fun book (I was dying to read the Hatchet and other adventurous kid books) the librarian ALWAYS insisted I read something super literary like the Giver or fucking Wuthering Heights (which I read as an adult and loved, but man trying to read that as an 11 year old I hated it XD). I caved in the first few times out of embarrassment, but eventually, I was like YOU KNOW WHAT I want to read the Hatchet and the Magic of the Rainbow series, scan my card and let me leave with my kid books. XD The other time I was snobbed was when I told my friend about the book I was writing. I mentioned that the themes were nature and philosophy of leadership, what is right for everyone vs what is right for you and those you love, difficult choices etc. And she was super excited. And I mentioned that it was going to be a fantasy fiction novel. and she made THAT sneery face. "wooooow, I thought you were going to be writing a REAL book." Like excuse me bitch fiction is a way to explore important themes, also why would I write a non-fiction book about something I'm not qualified in. Also fuck off XD Though it all balances out because my aunts (aged 50-65) and everyone in my family LOVE reading EVERYTHING. They love Harry Potter, YA books, comics, adult fantasy, literary fiction, plays, non-fiction... So I just love that I am surrounded by people of all ages who unapologetically read what they want.
I once ended up buying Moby Dick (which, to be fair, is really amazing and was already in my to-buy list) because the shop assistant in the bookshop was judging me when she understood that the Disney comics collections I was looking for were not for a young girl but for me. :/
This was the first video of yours I've ever watched and there has never been anything that related to my life more. Thank you i laughed so hard you're awesome!
The YA snobism happened to my mother. She was looking at a Stephen King book with a dragon on the cover (she loves dragons) and the woman came to tell her "this one is for kids, but if you like King, we have his new ADULT book over there!" in a very demeaning tone. Like she was stupid or something. My mum put the book back down and we left.
Hahaha love your story about the collectors edition! If I can’t decide I read the staff reviews stuck to the shelf and search reviews on my phone. Every time I’ve tried to make myself read classical fiction it just hasn’t happened. What even is the appeal of s cloth bound book you don’t want in the first place? 😂😂😂 Ps. I’m not into most YA - but holy shit John Green!
I'm 25 y/o and I love YA books. And yes I get this weird stare from bookstore staff(s) like almost everytime when I look around YA sections. I know how annoying it feels. That's why I prefer buying my fave books online. xD
I think it's called young adult just because the protagonists are in their late teens/early twenties. Same as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is considered children's literature just because Alice is seven, even though it's supposed to be about advanced mathematics. Are twelve-sixteen-year-olds really considered young adults? You're not exactly middle-aged at twenty-two. If you want to care less what people think (e.g. a cashier) I recommend Jane Eyre. ;)
I'm 29 and I read a range of genres, including YA! I don't see what the problem is, read what you want and enjoy! I'm in love with the lunar chronicles by marissa meyer and I don't care one little bit that it's YA x
I'm in my 20s, I literally read anything. I've got a degree in literature so of course I love Shakespeare, Blake, Dante, and so on for the classics...but, that doesn't mean I can't enjoy fairytales, I actually love them as well, I collect fairytales books and I always get weird looks when I'm the only adult roaming among children in the children section but I don't care, if anyone asks me something I just tell them the truth, there are thing for kids you can enjoy even at 80.
Hannah you should read Shirley Jackson, the hunger games is based off her book the lottery. Also a 1700s French classic Les Liasons Dangereuse which is what the movie cruel intentions is based off.
I’m just imagining the other workers in the shop watching you go in and out of the shop like, “Is this lady crazy or is she a shoplifter?” Neither, she just hates confrontation! I can imagine myself doing that though, so no judgment.
Okay so I have to tell you this story! I avidly go into books a million, my local bookshop and there is this that is ALWAYS working there. Well I would bring my niece and nephews in with me at times and they have a nick name for me that they call me, they don't use my real name. Appearantly this guy hears it and thinks they are calling me Judy. So every time I go into this shop which is quite frequently (Because uh well I have a book buying problem.) I have to sneak in like a ninja and then on top of that I when I find a book I want to buy (which is every single time, let's be honest) I see he is the ONLY one working up front so I pretty much creep around and plan how not to get to close to him! ALSO he asks the same question every time he sees me and WORDS IT THE SAME EXACT WAY!!!! "Judy.... *insert scolding voice here* have you finished those books yet?" NO SPONGEBOB I haven't! I am working on my collection of a million books, so no I haven't had time sorry! Plus I don't have the courage to tell him my name isn't Judy because what if he stalks me?! O.O Btw I am 23 and mainly read YA so don't feel bad :)
I know this is a really old video, but I just had this happen to me last Saturday, at a library book sale. Not as bad as your stories, since she never outright said she hated it, but the woman checking me out was very clearly trying to convince me not to buy Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children. Yes, if I hate it, I'm sure I'll deeply regret spending $1 on it.
Omg I get sooo much anxiety when I'm in the YA section, it's like I feel others judging me... Like: "Bitch, don't judge me, a book is a book! Mind yo business!"
Yeah, there's a lot of stigma around reading many things. Personally I think it's anything that's deemed "feminine ". YA, New Adult, erotica, erotic romance, harlequin, chicklit, werewolf, vampire, contemporary romance, historical romance. I think the only one that's not considered "feminine" that I've seen get stigmatized is zombie.
My fave response to a snobby book shop assistant is "You sell Twain, Wilde, Dickens and Carroll in the children's section. I wouldn't be too hasty to follow those supposed labels if I were you."
Why is Dickens in the children's section? Wilde and Carroll at least wrote books specifically for children, but who thinks that a 900-page novel about a lawsuit over an inheritance such as _Bleak House_ is going to be interesting reading for most children? They must really be getting hard up for public domain books to stick in the YA section.
+Elaine Skinner Thanks. That makes a little more sense, although I still don't think Dickens would be the most interesting reading for children, even in an abridged and simplified edition. But I suppose if it's free, as Dickens is in the public domain, then why not publish and see if anyone bites? With no additional overhead, I'd guess that very few people would have to buy the books to make the cost of issuing a children's edition worth it. It would be like those "No Fear Shakespeare" graphic novels. The children at whose reading levels they're targeted aren't usually good candidates for appreciating Shakespeare's plays, but they're still published despite that fact because Shakespeare's works are free for anyone to do with as they please.
Nullifidian Uhh, did you forget Oliver Twist? A book commonly read at primary (elementary) school? Hell I don't think there's ever been an adaptation even that isn't for kids. Children are commonly assigned Dickens, but the ones they're given aren't the 900 pagers, which is not the only thing he ever wrote. A Christmas Carol, unabridged, is barely 100 pages and even comes in (yes, unabridged) children's editions. You might need to familiarize yourself with his oeuvre a little bit more if you think stuff like Bleak House or Hard Times or what have you are the only things he wrote.
It's really rude to judge someone's taste in books. It's comments like that, that might make someone not want to read because they feel shame with the genre they enjoy. If I was in the toy section of a store, nobody would approach me to conduct me to the linen section because that's where adults "belong" How do you know I'm not buying for someone else?
Haha oh my god I am laughing so much right now 😂😂 The other day I went to a used bookstore and they had a wonderful classic literature section so I had a stack of books to buy and the guy ringing me up asked if this was for school and what class was I taking. I just said oh this is what I like to read and he just stood there and finally said, "oh.... why?" Haha 😂
If that happened to me (telling me I was in the wrong section), I'd be straight up with them and say I wasn't and that there are actually some good YA books, and middle grade that adults like to read. I wouldn't really go to that section anyways, but I wouldn't feel like I had to go elsewhere if a shop assistant said something like that. I could imagine them at the counter as I placed a copy of Jane Eyre on the counter (I'm a guy btw) and them asking me, "Mother's day present?" ... "No"... "Oh, so ya giving your girlfriend a birthday present, that's so lovely"... "umm, no. It's for me." "Sorry sir, but a book like this isn't really for you." Then they take it and put in under the counter. "Next!"
Hahaha that's hilarious! Nothing of that nature has ever happened to me. If it happened to me though I would just either say I do in fact read ya and kindly tell her to piss off lol. Or if I felt awkward I would just say I was shopping for a younger sibling.
I know this is like...many years late, but this is SO relatable! lol Luckily I look young enough to be in the YA section, but what bothers me is when people assume I don't read anything OUTSIDE of YA, like yeah...I do. I just prefer YA. It's very frustrating. Also, I've never had this problem before (at least, not that I remember) but I got asked the other day by an old lady in Waterstones "do you sell tissues?" me: Um, sorry I don't work here. Her: oh, *laughs* sorry, I saw you there and thought you did Me: *laughs awkwardly* and as soon as she walked on I muttered, "Even so I can tell you they don't sell tissues here." LOL actually I might have been wrong but still...wow. Usually it's my mum that gets asked if she works in places, lol. sigh
Okay that cashier should not have been on the register if she was going to say something like that. Your job as a Bookseller is to, as the name implies, sell books. If you are on the sales floor and don't like a book or think somebody else might not like it maybe point them to another book but not at the cash register. If I ever in the situation I would say well it's not my favorite but many people do like it.
As someone who doesn’t read much YA, but reads a lot of classics, let me apologize for these jerk faces putting you down! How lame! Like seriously there’s a lot of legitimately amazing YA books, why would you limit someone else (or even yourself) from that? Also, why offer an unsolicited recommendation to someone regarding a section they aren’t even standing in! Like would you go up to someone looking at cookbooks and recommend them a music bio? That’s ridiculous! What snobs!! You do you. We all have the things that bring us extra joy to read (for me it’s horror) and shouldn’t be shaming others for their loves.
My mother in law always buys me adult fiction and I'm always saying politely while I don't really like those. I know I'm twenty seven but I like ya. It's entertaining.
Wrt to the first one, why ask for someone's opinion on a book if you don't want to hear the answer? The other ones sound like shitty experiences, and I'm sorry you had to put up with those people, but you asked the first lady for her opinion on the book.
Hannah, you are beyond hilarious. I'm not a fan of YA myself, but wow. "If it's not cloth bound, I'm not reading it." What a joke! 😅 Seriously, please do read what makes you happy. Life's too short to waste time on books that you don't want to read!
Oh geez I actually flipped you off when you were playing the condescending old lady. That was so rude. What you want to read is none of their bloody business. *And because it is none of their bloody business,* please cease caring about their overbearing little opinions. I'm 22 and read both YA and middle-grade books as well as general fiction and classics. I've read The Hunger Games, Jane Eyre, Beautiful Creatures, Of Mice and Men, Mysterious Benedict Society, and Les Miserables, among others. And liked all of them, because they were good. Anyone who wants to talk down to me needs to take their own advice and broaden their minds.
Haha love your video so funny. I don't read a lot of YA, but I do enjoy it from time to time. There's nothing wrong with reading what you enjoy, there is to much hardship in the real world, so why not have fun reading what you feel like. I mean people don't stop watching Disney when they are adults, no they watch it cause it fun so why not be the same but reading. I feel people are snobbish about romance books and cozy mysteries. Mystery and cozy mysteries are my favorite genre. I Hate when people refer to it as trash, stupid, non substances. Not everything has to have a deeper meaning and just because I enjoy lighter reads doesn't mean I unintelligent. I read very diverse reading, classics , romantic suspense, memoirs , mystery adult contemporary, and YA. Point is reading is an escapism, fun and you shouldn't belittle anyone chooses. Find what books work for you and enjoy. HAPPY READING EVERYONE.
This is the one bad thing about libraries and stores, though. Yes, I am a teenage boy. yes, I do want to buy this musical soundtrack. Yes, I do want to rent this disney movie. Yes, I do want to check out this Young Adult LGBT book.
I know it's their job not to judge, but I just can't help feeling like they do. Like, I have my interests. I really don't care what you think is for children or women or whatever, if something is good, I'm going to enjoy it. I don't care who it's aimed for, I care that the story is intriguing and well done.
I agree people can judge far too much. You just do you and love what you want to love xx
If you're a teenager, you're supposed to be the target demographic for YA books. Why would they look at you askance? And if anything, musicals are more an adult entertainment, because it takes a large chunk of a year's salary to buy a ticket on Broadway anymore, or even a ticket to a touring production. I know that from bitter experience. If a teenager wanted to buy a soundtrack, why not? I was obsessed with Stephen Sondheim's musicals when I was a teenager and I have the soundtracks for almost everything he ever wrote (or wrote lyrics for).
Benjamin Wambeke yeah, I really love reading literature and classical books. I'm still young and like to wear beanies and dark clothes so I always feel people judging me because some of these books are very thick and difficult :/
I had the opposite I was buying a ya book the other day (I am 30)and the shop assistant who was much older than me was talking to me about how much she loved the series!!
thats cool :)
Never had anyone give me flack over books, but years ago I went in to a store to buy some CDs. I grabbed a bunch of goodies, some Slipknot, Deftones, Seether, Disturbed, and Katy Perry. Mind you I looked the part of the stereotypical metal head. Big dude, long hair, black band tee, a nice long bear, wristbands. It just so happened that the Kay Perry cd being the one I grabbed first was at the bottom of the stack. When I cashed out the lady ringing them up said "excuse me sir I don't think you meant to grab this." I had to laugh, it was too hilarious.
lol I love abit of Katy Perry! x
Hannah Tay Yeah, I mean who doesn't?
***** I kind of feel bad for kids like that. You'd hope that parents would understand the importance of teaching their kids about diversity and acceptance of the oh-so-ominous other, but it just doesn't happen. There are really only two possible outcomes. Either the kid grows to understand that their way is no better than anybody else's, or they grow up to be utterly useless in a modern economy and get to bag groceries for the rest of their life, or until cashiers are extinct, whichever comes first.
enginesnblades Freaking LOVE me some Deftones and Slipknot! I get crap from my buddies because I still listen to Slipknot. They always tell me that their a teenager metal band..... I really don't care and I can't help myself, I just love them so much!
Honestly the big draw of bands like Slipknot to teenagers is that they're so visceral... which is kind of the point of music isn't it? Seems silly that we shouldn't like something because it effectively achieves it's primary goal.
Hahahahha...I think I'm in love. God, I have so much hate for book snobs, I can't even... "IF IT'S NOT CLOTHBOUND, I'M NOT READING IT." I fell off my chair laughing XD
+TheBookChronicles hehe thanks xx
I work in a bookshop and I genuinely love it when adults look in the YA section because it has such a bad reputation and is judged way too harshly by people not in that "age bracket".
I don't think books should have an "age bracket" people should just read what they want xx
Hannah Tay I totally agree! People should read what they want and not confine themselves because of the label "YA"
I know this is more than three years old, but it made me really sad. I was a bookseller for a very long time and I would hate to think anyone I worked with treated any of our customers in this way. Even though it has been quite some time since I left, I am still friends with loads of my colleagues, and we all still read the odd YA book, even though, as one of the youngest of the group, I will be 40 next year! I hope your local shop has found some nicer staff since this video was made. Despite the sadness, you did make me laugh too, so subbed!! ^.^
Thanks for subscribing Anna x
I think the worst encounter I had was with a taxi driver, I was sat in the back as you do and was talking to my sister about the daughter of smoke and bone trilogy and the mistborn series, he interrupted me half way through a sentence asking what the books are about, so I told him and then he lectured me about how "no wonder young people (he was 25 at the most) these days are so stupid, all you read is garbage" and that "you should try reading a proper book, you can't call yourself a reader if you read fantasy" smh he was such a snob, he wasn't even saying anything about YA, he was calling fantasy as a whole 'complete rubbish' -.- (he also spent 10 minutes listing books about psychology and other related topics so I could (and I quote) "maybe grow a brain"
I hate it when people u don't know but into conversations I'm always thinking "oh I didn't know I was being spied on!" He sounds like a dick or a weird obsessive killer x
kEirA XuNt - He told you to "grow a brain" but he was too dumb to realize you don't insult a customer's preferences if you want a decent tip. 😝
once when I was 16, I was in the YA section with my dad, and I was showing him some books and we were talking and it was great - and then a lady comes up and asks if she can help. And we say no, we're just looking. And she sees the book I'm holding (acomaf) and straight up says to my dad "Um so just to be aware, this book contains some themes of an adult nature, it's really not appropriate for younger people."
And dad says thank you, and I just ahhhhhh I just get so annoyed!! Because she (a) interrupted a good conversation and (b) gave her opinion when it wasn't called for. I don't even look younger than I am. Seriously I'm so done
As a fairly advanced reader as a youngster, one day when I visited the library, I wanted to try some of the books in the adult section, but I was firmly steered back to the kids section as the books in the adult section were too “old” for me. Not much YA around when I was a teenager in the late 80s, early 90s....sigh!
That comment about cloth bound books had me in stitches, absolutely hilarious... she couldn’t have been serious
LMAO omg you left and then came back and came back again (T_T) LMAO Omg...we are like the same...I hate making other people feel uncomfortable so I like bend over BACKWARDS...we are MENTAL LOL.
LOL "Les Mes is long isn't it?" LOL omg
"What can you do in THIS neighborhood..."😂 What the Hell does THAT mean. LOL like does she walk out the door and have to fight her way to her car? I mean are there gremlin children in the streets?!
oh my GOD you need a new book store 😂😂😂😂😂 I hate looking for books on the same aisle as other people. I don't know why...like I just want the entire aisle to myself.
You are hilarious. SUBED
+Francina Simone lol thanks! x Love your comment!
This was so amusing! I was a snob about romance novels when I was a teenager. Now that I am an adult, romance novels are 95% of my reading list so I know better than to give adults who enjoy YA a hard time.
I'm glad u liked it xx
I've never had anybody try to herd me to the "correct" section. Then again I'm a lot older so maybe they think I'm buying for my kids... I'd have said "It's an age guideline, not a law!"
Exactly I should have said that!
I have a few cloth bound editions. They’re beautiful, but they don’t open nicely and I always feel like I’m going to damage them.
On mine the pattern on the front had rubbed off x
I'm 19 and I hate it when I go to the library and I want to check out a YA book and the workers there look at me like "Um what are you doing in the YA section?" :(
+edsheeranandcoffee it is annoying. And I love Ed too btw! x
I personally don't read YA, but sometimes I'm in that section anyway because adult books are shelved there. When I wanted to read _Kenilworth_ by Sir Walter Scott, a historical novel set in the Elizabethan Era, I had to go into the "Children's Room" because that's where they had bizarrely decided to shelve it. And that's not the only time I've had to do that either. I don't know what their process of selection is, but it throws up some real oddities at times.
I’m 25 and I’m ALWAYS in the middle grade section. They probably couldn’t care less but sometimes i wonder if the 12 year olds are judging me lol.
Ive never had an incident in a store buying books. I kinda give that "leave me alone vibe". But I was reading a YA book at work once and this older co-worker (who supposedly wrote a book or was in the process of writing on at the time), asked what I was reading and when I showed him he called it trash. I had never been more offended in my life. As long as people are reading it shouldn't matter what they are reading.
I usually know what I want in bookshops so never had that situation however I have had it the other way! I work in a library but if I try and recommend YA to some people they just look at me as though I'm mad and are all, 'well, no, I'd rather read proper ficfion.' Gets me so mad that I can never formulate a reply or I'd likely loose my job!
haha you should give them a ya book and says its adult hehe
With video rentals the clerk would always question my choices?
"You're renting that? That movie is so lame" I'd go home feeling shunned watch the movie... love the movie. Easily learned that everyone opinions are different and people at the till are those I would trust the least to know
about my reading interests.
I feel your pain and hope the snobbery gets easier for you.
I used to be a bit of a book snob myself, I couldn't and refused to understand how and why people read and enjoyed horror. And then I found internet horror stories, and grew a soft spot for horror. I now have two horror books in my small shelf and plan to get more as time goes on. (one of them is Stephen King, because, well, horror).
+Unix One I love abit of Stephen king!
Hannah booksandbeauty The first book I found was "Revival", I didn't like it very much, but I suppose I just hit a sour note.
I haven't read that one. I really wanna make a horror recommends video. But I like the Stephen King book Misery. Its abit too long but apart from that its amazing. Annie is the best character of all time and the film with Cathy Bates is sooo good!
Hannah booksandbeauty Misery was one of the books on the list that I wanted by him:
Others that I thought of grabbing now included It and Lisey's Story, because I've heard both are good.
I haven't read that one either lol (not a true fan *hangs head in shame*) Carrie is good too.
I've had the same experience in a book shop. I was in the music section looking for Fleetwood Mac. This guy came up to me and asked if I needed help. I replied with "no thanks! I'm just looking for Fleetwood Mac. I've always listened to them. I don't know why I never owned any copies." This was just me being polite. He straight up replied "You never owned any because they suck. I played in a band and traveled the country and played with many great musicians, trust me I know what good music is." WTF WHAT SA SAYS THAT TO THEIR EMPLOYEES???
Magus Moonglove Oml I hate people who think they know what "good music" is. How about you shut up and let people listen to whatever they want to?
What a beastly shop assistant! x
I was once in a situation similar to yours but it was the other way around. I'm a teenager and I was in the Classics Section and a lady came and said to me that the YA Section was downstairs, haha.
What a bitch lol x
Oh goodness lol that was helarious! oh you had me rolling laughing lol. I had that same issue, but reading classical fiction. I picked up Jane Eyre and this sales woman in her probably 60s looked at me funny, she asked me why are you reading that? I replied, I enjoy classic books and I love history. She then said you know the middle school books are on the other side right dear? Maybe your teacher can pick up a book for you, better suited at your level. The woman patted me on the shoulder and left, I just stood there dumbfounded. She thought I was in middle school! lol I'm 23 years old, yet I could pass for 15 lol. Oooh yes, good times. :D
+Elisabeth Torrez tHANK YOU! LOL same I always get id into films lol
Elisabeth Torrez oh I couldn't have let that go. I would have said something to that snobby woman. Lol
I feel you, I look 16 but I’m 21 but luckily my store is good about not judging people....so far
Jane was 18 so I guess no one past like 20 can read it
Who in the hell thinks a 15 year old can read heavy books. They had us reading of mice and men. Good god.
ahaha I have had the whole 'You're WAY too old to read YA fiction' happen to me in bookstores so many times. It's so snobby to assume the second you turn 17/18/19/20 you can't read YA anymore!
exactly xx
Cory Doctorow wrote an article years ago about how the YA market would become the big money-maker for publishing. Many Adult fiction authors have since found great success writing YA fiction.
At times we forget that a label shouldn't get in the way of a great story.
I agree 100%
Omg that beginning story is living!!!! So good! Thanks for the entertainment!
hehe xx
I'm 22 but i'm so short I look like a child. So, I've never had someone ask why i'm buying or reading YA. I feel like I get more weird stares when i'm looking for classics lol.
As a book seller, I can assure you that we don't care as much as you think we do about what you choose to read.
ok
I have to say, this is one of my favourite videos on youtube, love it so much!!
hehe thanks x
Really great points made! Was chuckling most of the way through :)
I don't understand why some workers think you can't read young adult/children's books when you're older
It is so annoying x
My husband & I are big readers & this video had us rolling!!! So accurate! I love YA as well & it's amazing how many people have such a huge problem with that!! I'm 26 & shamelessly love YA!
I love YA too xx
This was hilarious! you must have some crazy times in bookshops! I especially loved the cloth bound books story what an absolute snob haha!!
haha thanks xx
Girl that was some crazy book buying, love the stories
I personally hate it when people shame the YA section and call it trash. They usually also mention they only read this other, more sophisticated genre and it’s so blatant they’re only doing it to seem better than everybody else. It’s like the ‘remember when movies were good?’ thing all over again.
I agree and I'm a fan of yours Mrs Granger hehe x
I'm 20 and some people get downright ANGRY when I say that some of my favourite movies are by Disney.
Gotta love a bit of Disney x
hahaha that was amazing. I'm sorry to be laughing at your pain but that's EXACTLY what I would have done in that hunger games scenario (in all of them to be honest). I'm glad that I'm not the only one whose non-confrontational to the point of being awkward. LOVED THIS VIDEO! AHH!
BookishBrainClutter haha thanks for the comment I don't feel so alone now! xx
I’m so glad I came across your channel!!! Loved this!
Thanks Rihna x
I've had two moments like this in my life that I remember.
When I was in elementary school, we had to take reading level tests to help us choose books at our correct reading levels. I scored pretty high, so whenever I went into the school library to borrow a fun book (I was dying to read the Hatchet and other adventurous kid books) the librarian ALWAYS insisted I read something super literary like the Giver or fucking Wuthering Heights (which I read as an adult and loved, but man trying to read that as an 11 year old I hated it XD). I caved in the first few times out of embarrassment, but eventually, I was like YOU KNOW WHAT I want to read the Hatchet and the Magic of the Rainbow series, scan my card and let me leave with my kid books. XD
The other time I was snobbed was when I told my friend about the book I was writing. I mentioned that the themes were nature and philosophy of leadership, what is right for everyone vs what is right for you and those you love, difficult choices etc.
And she was super excited. And I mentioned that it was going to be a fantasy fiction novel.
and she made THAT sneery face. "wooooow, I thought you were going to be writing a REAL book."
Like excuse me bitch fiction is a way to explore important themes, also why would I write a non-fiction book about something I'm not qualified in. Also fuck off XD
Though it all balances out because my aunts (aged 50-65) and everyone in my family LOVE reading EVERYTHING. They love Harry Potter, YA books, comics, adult fantasy, literary fiction, plays, non-fiction... So I just love that I am surrounded by people of all ages who unapologetically read what they want.
I once ended up buying Moby Dick (which, to be fair, is really amazing and was already in my to-buy list) because the shop assistant in the bookshop was judging me when she understood that the Disney comics collections I was looking for were not for a young girl but for me. :/
I love Disney Comics x
This was the first video of yours I've ever watched and there has never been anything that related to my life more. Thank you i laughed so hard you're awesome!
Yay I'm glad you liked it xx
The YA snobism happened to my mother. She was looking at a Stephen King book with a dragon on the cover (she loves dragons) and the woman came to tell her "this one is for kids, but if you like King, we have his new ADULT book over there!" in a very demeaning tone. Like she was stupid or something. My mum put the book back down and we left.
That is so rude x
Haha hold up like Simba, I do that with my books all the time
hehe :)
Oh my gosh you crack me up 😂 keep being you, you’re awesome. ❤️
Thank you x
Hahaha love your story about the collectors edition! If I can’t decide I read the staff reviews stuck to the shelf and search reviews on my phone.
Every time I’ve tried to make myself read classical fiction it just hasn’t happened. What even is the appeal of s cloth bound book you don’t want in the first place? 😂😂😂
Ps. I’m not into most YA - but holy shit John Green!
I'm 25 y/o and I love YA books. And yes I get this weird stare from bookstore staff(s) like almost everytime when I look around YA sections. I know how annoying it feels. That's why I prefer buying my fave books online. xD
Same x
I think it's called young adult just because the protagonists are in their late teens/early twenties. Same as Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is considered children's literature just because Alice is seven, even though it's supposed to be about advanced mathematics.
Are twelve-sixteen-year-olds really considered young adults? You're not exactly middle-aged at twenty-two.
If you want to care less what people think (e.g. a cashier) I recommend Jane Eyre. ;)
+Alia I've owned Jane Eyre for 2 years and still not read it! I need to hehe.
I'm 29 and I read a range of genres, including YA! I don't see what the problem is, read what you want and enjoy! I'm in love with the lunar chronicles by marissa meyer and I don't care one little bit that it's YA x
I agree let people read whatever they want x
I'm in my 20s, I literally read anything. I've got a degree in literature so of course I love Shakespeare, Blake, Dante, and so on for the classics...but, that doesn't mean I can't enjoy fairytales, I actually love them as well, I collect fairytales books and I always get weird looks when I'm the only adult roaming among children in the children section but I don't care, if anyone asks me something I just tell them the truth, there are thing for kids you can enjoy even at 80.
Hannah you should read Shirley Jackson, the hunger games is based off her book the lottery. Also a 1700s French classic Les Liasons Dangereuse which is what the movie cruel intentions is based off.
I’m just imagining the other workers in the shop watching you go in and out of the shop like, “Is this lady crazy or is she a shoplifter?” Neither, she just hates confrontation! I can imagine myself doing that though, so no judgment.
lol x
Okay so I have to tell you this story!
I avidly go into books a million, my local bookshop and there is this that is ALWAYS working there. Well I would bring my niece and nephews in with me at times and they have a nick name for me that they call me, they don't use my real name. Appearantly this guy hears it and thinks they are calling me Judy. So every time I go into this shop which is quite frequently (Because uh well I have a book buying problem.) I have to sneak in like a ninja and then on top of that I when I find a book I want to buy (which is every single time, let's be honest) I see he is the ONLY one working up front so I pretty much creep around and plan how not to get to close to him! ALSO he asks the same question every time he sees me and WORDS IT THE SAME EXACT WAY!!!! "Judy.... *insert scolding voice here* have you finished those books yet?" NO SPONGEBOB I haven't! I am working on my collection of a million books, so no I haven't had time sorry! Plus I don't have the courage to tell him my name isn't Judy because what if he stalks me?! O.O
Btw I am 23 and mainly read YA so don't feel bad :)
A bookiSh Language haha I love this!!
I know this is a really old video, but I just had this happen to me last Saturday, at a library book sale.
Not as bad as your stories, since she never outright said she hated it, but the woman checking me out was very clearly trying to convince me not to buy Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children.
Yes, if I hate it, I'm sure I'll deeply regret spending $1 on it.
lol x
Can you imagine if the cops had to watch the security video when she bought that Hunger Games book? Lol.
OMG that cctv would be hilarious to watch x
You made my day telling me about your gold book I thought it was hilarious!
sarah hines hehe xx
Omg I get sooo much anxiety when I'm in the YA section, it's like I feel others judging me...
Like: "Bitch, don't judge me, a book is a book! Mind yo business!"
Yeah, there's a lot of stigma around reading many things. Personally I think it's anything that's deemed "feminine ". YA, New Adult, erotica, erotic romance, harlequin, chicklit, werewolf, vampire, contemporary romance, historical romance. I think the only one that's not considered "feminine" that I've seen get stigmatized is zombie.
I agree x
My fave response to a snobby book shop assistant is
"You sell Twain, Wilde, Dickens and Carroll in the children's section. I wouldn't be too hasty to follow those supposed labels if I were you."
+Someone random lolz
Why is Dickens in the children's section? Wilde and Carroll at least wrote books specifically for children, but who thinks that a 900-page novel about a lawsuit over an inheritance such as _Bleak House_ is going to be interesting reading for most children? They must really be getting hard up for public domain books to stick in the YA section.
Children's editions of Dickens. Very common.
+Elaine Skinner Thanks. That makes a little more sense, although I still don't think Dickens would be the most interesting reading for children, even in an abridged and simplified edition. But I suppose if it's free, as Dickens is in the public domain, then why not publish and see if anyone bites? With no additional overhead, I'd guess that very few people would have to buy the books to make the cost of issuing a children's edition worth it. It would be like those "No Fear Shakespeare" graphic novels. The children at whose reading levels they're targeted aren't usually good candidates for appreciating Shakespeare's plays, but they're still published despite that fact because Shakespeare's works are free for anyone to do with as they please.
Nullifidian Uhh, did you forget Oliver Twist? A book commonly read at primary (elementary) school? Hell I don't think there's ever been an adaptation even that isn't for kids. Children are commonly assigned Dickens, but the ones they're given aren't the 900 pagers, which is not the only thing he ever wrote. A Christmas Carol, unabridged, is barely 100 pages and even comes in (yes, unabridged) children's editions. You might need to familiarize yourself with his oeuvre a little bit more if you think stuff like Bleak House or Hard Times or what have you are the only things he wrote.
OMG if the second situation ever happened to me, I'd be so tempted to punch the person in the gut. There is no age limit on books!
+Kawaii Books exactly lol
The snobbery of some people is unbelievable!
woah.. all i'd do in that first situation is say "oh i quite enjoyed it myself!" and left it there LOL.
It's really rude to judge someone's taste in books. It's comments like that, that might make someone not want to read because they feel shame with the genre they enjoy. If I was in the toy section of a store, nobody would approach me to conduct me to the linen section because that's where adults "belong" How do you know I'm not buying for someone else?
Haha oh my god I am laughing so much right now 😂😂
The other day I went to a used bookstore and they had a wonderful classic literature section so I had a stack of books to buy and the guy ringing me up asked if this was for school and what class was I taking. I just said oh this is what I like to read and he just stood there and finally said, "oh.... why?" Haha 😂
lol something awkward like that would 100% happen to me x
If that happened to me (telling me I was in the wrong section), I'd be straight up with them and say I wasn't and that there are actually some good YA books, and middle grade that adults like to read. I wouldn't really go to that section anyways, but I wouldn't feel like I had to go elsewhere if a shop assistant said something like that. I could imagine them at the counter as I placed a copy of Jane Eyre on the counter (I'm a guy btw) and them asking me, "Mother's day present?" ... "No"... "Oh, so ya giving your girlfriend a birthday present, that's so lovely"... "umm, no. It's for me." "Sorry sir, but a book like this isn't really for you." Then they take it and put in under the counter. "Next!"
I hate people who judge others reading choices x
Hahaha that's hilarious! Nothing of that nature has ever happened to me. If it happened to me though I would just either say I do in fact read ya and kindly tell her to piss off lol. Or if I felt awkward I would just say I was shopping for a younger sibling.
I know this is like...many years late, but this is SO relatable! lol Luckily I look young enough to be in the YA section, but what bothers me is when people assume I don't read anything OUTSIDE of YA, like yeah...I do. I just prefer YA. It's very frustrating. Also, I've never had this problem before (at least, not that I remember) but I got asked the other day by an old lady in Waterstones "do you sell tissues?"
me: Um, sorry I don't work here.
Her: oh, *laughs* sorry, I saw you there and thought you did
Me: *laughs awkwardly*
and as soon as she walked on I muttered, "Even so I can tell you they don't sell tissues here." LOL actually I might have been wrong but still...wow. Usually it's my mum that gets asked if she works in places, lol. sigh
lol it is so awkward when that happens x
Okay that cashier should not have been on the register if she was going to say something like that. Your job as a Bookseller is to, as the name implies, sell books. If you are on the sales floor and don't like a book or think somebody else might not like it maybe point them to another book but not at the cash register. If I ever in the situation I would say well it's not my favorite but many people do like it.
Just stand up for yourself, you're worth it!!
As someone who doesn’t read much YA, but reads a lot of classics, let me apologize for these jerk faces putting you down! How lame! Like seriously there’s a lot of legitimately amazing YA books, why would you limit someone else (or even yourself) from that? Also, why offer an unsolicited recommendation to someone regarding a section they aren’t even standing in! Like would you go up to someone looking at cookbooks and recommend them a music bio? That’s ridiculous! What snobs!! You do you. We all have the things that bring us extra joy to read (for me it’s horror) and shouldn’t be shaming others for their loves.
My mother in law always buys me adult fiction and I'm always saying politely while I don't really like those. I know I'm twenty seven but I like ya. It's entertaining.
awww I love YA too!!!
omg this was hilarious i couldn't stop laughing! Please make more of these!
thank you xx
You are so funny! If it helps, people always look at me weird when I check out YA. I am 20 years older than you though. :)
Thank you :) x
Wrt to the first one, why ask for someone's opinion on a book if you don't want to hear the answer? The other ones sound like shitty experiences, and I'm sorry you had to put up with those people, but you asked the first lady for her opinion on the book.
Hannah, you are beyond hilarious. I'm not a fan of YA myself, but wow. "If it's not cloth bound, I'm not reading it." What a joke! 😅 Seriously, please do read what makes you happy. Life's too short to waste time on books that you don't want to read!
Thank you xx
Oh geez I actually flipped you off when you were playing the condescending old lady. That was so rude. What you want to read is none of their bloody business.
*And because it is none of their bloody business,* please cease caring about their overbearing little opinions. I'm 22 and read both YA and middle-grade books as well as general fiction and classics. I've read The Hunger Games, Jane Eyre, Beautiful Creatures, Of Mice and Men, Mysterious Benedict Society, and Les Miserables, among others. And liked all of them, because they were good. Anyone who wants to talk down to me needs to take their own advice and broaden their minds.
Okay, though, I admit I've started feeling like I need to send a kid in with my library card to check out books for me.
You should be able to read whatever the hell you want xx
You are so silly and funny. When you're older you won't care what other people think any more. I'm 47 so I can promise you that. Have fun always!
You kinda look like Lucy from Narnia!
***** thanks hehe
i couldn't stop laughing for about 5 minute, thank you i needed that .
:) x
lmaoooooo! I'm crying I'm laughing so hard! Truly hilarious!
hehe thanks x
This video makes me mad. Only a British person would experience this
I relate to this video so much 😂😂
yay :) xx
Just say: I am here to study kids action for my book am a author.
SO RELATABLE 😂
:) x
I clicked on this video by mistake and I don't regret it
hehe I'm glad!
oh my....lol terrible really.why are people so judgy? let people buy what they want!!!!
I agree xx
Haha love your video so funny. I don't read a lot of YA, but I do enjoy it from time to time. There's nothing wrong with reading what you enjoy, there is to much hardship in the real world, so why not have fun reading what you feel like. I mean people don't stop watching Disney when they are adults, no they watch it cause it fun so why not be the same but reading. I feel people are snobbish about romance books and cozy mysteries. Mystery and cozy mysteries are my favorite genre. I Hate when people refer to it as trash, stupid, non substances. Not everything has to have a deeper meaning and just because I enjoy lighter reads doesn't mean I unintelligent. I read very diverse reading, classics , romantic suspense, memoirs , mystery adult contemporary, and YA. Point is reading is an escapism, fun and you shouldn't belittle anyone chooses. Find what books work for you and enjoy. HAPPY READING EVERYONE.
A Ferret's Novel Tale Great comment xxxxx
Hannah booksandbeauty Thank You and Thanks for your channel!
A Ferret's Novel Tale xxxxx :)
Great video....hilarious
thanks xx
Tell them to sod off
you remind me of a female version of crabstickz
hehe thanks lol
This is fucking hilarious
hehe thanks x
Lol wtf :D