tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post8754911581169509000..comments2024-03-27T12:54:20.598-07:00Comments on The Misadventures Of Super Librarian: Seriously Serious ReadersWendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-77063842701552399922012-07-09T09:42:03.340-07:002012-07-09T09:42:03.340-07:00Kristie: See all the fun you miss when you're ...Kristie: See all the fun you miss when you're "off-line?" Ha!Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-52046407193692247902012-07-08T19:30:52.329-07:002012-07-08T19:30:52.329-07:00I am so seriously behind on my blog hopping - blam...I am so seriously behind on my blog hopping - blame it on greed and serious amounts of overtime, but I consider myself a "serious reader" and I think there are some wonderful Harlequins out there - wonderful ones!Kristie (J)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15743921647882733738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-80188712427649829122012-07-06T10:23:58.719-07:002012-07-06T10:23:58.719-07:00In case not everybody has seen it - there's a ...In case not everybody has seen it - there's a counterpoint over at AAR now. <br /><br />http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=8469Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-2978571503674109822012-07-03T18:58:00.298-07:002012-07-03T18:58:00.298-07:00Lynne, I so want "I used to be a serious read...Lynne, I so want "I used to be a serious reader, but I'm all better now" on a t-shirt...willafulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17201963128584310884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-48099496237837933972012-07-02T12:33:22.320-07:002012-07-02T12:33:22.320-07:00I was disappointed that the point seemed in the en...I was disappointed that the point seemed in the end to be NOT "don't bash readers" (right on!) or even "see how it feels to be bashed in your turn?" (uh, I guess, but not deftly handled and category readers know how it feels) but "see how there is a romance 'mainstream' I differ from, and how nasty they get when I do?" I just don't buy that. Romanceland is a big place with a wide diversity of views. That's clear from comment threads at any site including AAR. There's no lockstep orthodoxy I can see, nor is it any one site against the world. The view of some commenters in the thread that it is--and the nasty responses to polite disagreement/debate--has made me feel increasingly uncomfortable visiting AAR, which is too bad, because it has a lot to offer.Liz Mc2https://www.blogger.com/profile/06791468134387620449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-84562612185870031472012-07-02T09:48:33.903-07:002012-07-02T09:48:33.903-07:00I used to visit AAR all the time. I gradually swit...I used to visit AAR all the time. I gradually switched over to DA as my regular place because it's a better fit for me. During my last few visits to the AAR message boards, there were several smackdowns of commenters by moderators/reviewers. Once because a newcomer disagreed with a regular, and once over criticism of an author.<br /><br />I think it's now a place for regulars who aren't very active on the internet. It's a sad, slow death, IMO.MaryKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08682701056706320844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-59670081514708061382012-07-02T08:51:46.910-07:002012-07-02T08:51:46.910-07:00Kelly: LOL! I've never thought AAR was a &quo...Kelly: LOL! I've never thought AAR was a "bad place." It fostered a community of readers, it did that "at the back fence" thing before anybody knew what social media was. I respect the site and the hard work that goes into running it. But ugh - this? Yeah, let's insult romance readers and then back pedal on it by saying you were trying to make a point. Badly, I might add.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-54202153557901434192012-07-02T08:49:29.889-07:002012-07-02T08:49:29.889-07:00Moriah: I can't....think of anything else to a...Moriah: I can't....think of anything else to add here. Just, yes. That's the beauty of the Interwebs. You can do your own thing. You can take a look around, find the bits you like, avoid the bits you don't like. There's really no need for these little flare-ups. It's just....a waste of time. <br /><br />A waste of time I waded into. Oh Wendy, will you never learn?Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-65528083920909224672012-07-01T18:13:51.687-07:002012-07-01T18:13:51.687-07:00All I can say is that 100 years ago (ok, not reall...All I can say is that 100 years ago (ok, not really) when I belonged to an online forum (that no longer exists) that was strictly dedicated to romantic fiction, I was implicitly warned NOT to go to the bad place. FYI, the bad place was AAR. Guess I was warned for a good reason.Kelly in Hockeytownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-84593478502149742502012-07-01T13:28:02.257-07:002012-07-01T13:28:02.257-07:00The latest charge is that those other than AAR fan...The latest charge is that those other than AAR fans are attempting to control the internet. To this I say: Look in the mirror.<br /><br />It seems to me Sandy wants to say things, but also control where, when, and how it gets disseminated to the rest of the internet. With blogs who don't acknowledge AAR's existence, she doesn't have to worry about it (other than the fact that, you know, they don't acknowledge AAR's existence). But she can't do that with Twitter and Facebook. Thus, she stalks Twitter feeds and FB postings, then goes back on her blog to complain about the haterz and gossipers and Mean Girls.<br /><br />NEWSFLASH: You can't control what people say on the internet. AAR is not a closed loop at the moment, although it certainly could become one if the opinions shared elsewhere become painful enough.<br /><br />The fact is, she has a beef with DA. I haven't been around romancelandia enough to have any first-hand knowledge of it or investment in it. But the only real reason I know about this at all is from...AAR. Because they're still carrying a grudge and everyone else has moved on.<br /><br />That said, I did hit AAR first when I first came to romancelandia--and promptly abandoned it. Because I didn't like what was said? No. Because the site is atrocious and painfully un-navigable.<br /><br />AAR's site has the most ancient and inefficient navigation ever. It's not mobile ready. They don't put covers with their reviews. Their blog has no feed unless you plug it into your reader manually. Their reviews have no feed, period.<br /><br />Sandy would be better served to spend her time and energy on updating the site to make it relevant to how users actually use the internet instead of being static and seeming to say, "It's been fine for the last 12 years. Why change what works?" Except...it doesn't and I will bet money they have the shrinking stats to prove it.<br /><br />There are a lot of things AAR could do to become relevant again instead of trying to control what people say about it in public venues (i.e., NOT gossip), griping about what people say about it in public venues, being pissy about an unexpected reaction to an asinine post, and backpedaling when caught out in a poorly worded (or not--you decide) 6-year-old grudge-packed screeds against one or two blogs of Mean Girls. Furthermore, her definition of "being attacked" leaves much to be desired.<br /><br />Nobody cares who hates who, and certainly nobody who came to romancelandia long after whatever high school BS war happened.<br /><br />In short, grown women shouldn't be trying to stir up high school shit because somebody dunnem sum wrong way back in the day. If they want to compete, to be relevant, they need to put their energies toward making the site user-friendly, easily navigable, and worthy of ad rates that the more trafficked blogs get.<br /><br />And yes, I am well aware that for this comment, I will be ridiculed as a hypocrite and a Mean Girl, betrayer of all things True Romance and will put me on exactly 6 people's auto-not-buy list and you know what? I don't care about that, either.Moriah Jovanhttp://theproviso.com/dunhamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-25426155309315749422012-07-01T13:14:37.090-07:002012-07-01T13:14:37.090-07:00Rose: And why exactly does DA need to be "dea...Rose: And why exactly does DA need to be "dealt with," would be my response. Look, AAR isn't for everybody. Neither is DA, Smart Bitches, my blog - hell, any blog or web site in existence. I don't think anyone has come out and actually admitted it - but there are times when it feels like there's a definite Us vs. Them mentality within the community, which I just find sad. If you don't like something, fine. If you do like it, fine. But the circling of the wagons? For what exactly? Poking people with a stick until you get a reaction? Get a hobby.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-72540733981592405842012-07-01T12:50:04.107-07:002012-07-01T12:50:04.107-07:00Las: I just don't get it. Period. I really ...Las: I just don't get it. Period. I really don't. I've seen a lot of nonsense in my time in the online romance community - but this one takes the cake for me. It's essentially biting the hand that feeds you - and I'm not talking from the publisher/ARC end of things. Over the years, category readers have provided A LOT of content for that site. A LOT. They've had some great category reviewers over the years too. And now someone who is in charge of the site says something like that, and hides behind the provocative, see how it feels? explanation.<br /><br />If I reviewed category romances for them I would....not be thrilled.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-14992940041464000162012-07-01T12:38:17.809-07:002012-07-01T12:38:17.809-07:00Nikki: Then she tried to back-pedal by saying &quo...Nikki: Then she tried to back-pedal by saying "See how it feels category romance fans when someone slams what you read?" Uh, <i>like we didn't already know how that felt?!?!?!</i> I've been reading romance for a scant 13 years and by far and away the most crap I take because of it is over my love of category romance. Why? Because we hear it from both sides - Non-Romance Fans <b>and</b> Romance Fans. If 50 fans are getting their feelings hurt I say stand in line cupcake. Stand. In. Line. Harlequin has been around since 1949. You've got another 63 years of this nonsense to look forward to.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-60658843965809304752012-07-01T11:29:23.910-07:002012-07-01T11:29:23.910-07:00I love being a silly reader! :)I love being a silly reader! :)KT Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15958121742156171756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-49662379290568069852012-07-01T06:17:11.533-07:002012-07-01T06:17:11.533-07:00Sandy has now written in the comments that her pos...Sandy has now written in the comments that her post was meant as something of a tongue in cheek counterpoint to DA and others. She also had some interesting things to say about DA, its writers and its readerships. So obviously the best way to deal with DA is to insult category readers and authors and complain about anyone who disagrees with you. Huh? <br /><br />I don't recall AAR being like this in the past; they used to publish new, fresh content, not focus on writing insulting reaction posts. And that's really unfortunate - when you browse there you can see all the great stuff they used to do, and how little they have to offer these days in comparison.Rosenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-12413037715559352182012-06-30T21:16:37.555-07:002012-06-30T21:16:37.555-07:00I just realized what's really been bugging me ...I just realized what's really been bugging me about the whole AAR/harlequin thing--it's Sandy's pride in pissing off Harlequin fans and therefore proving some kind of point. Forget that the actual point doesn't make much sense as written--if I squint I can see where she's coming from. My issue is that Sandy was being deliberately provocative with that post, and then acted like she did something so clever. Newsflash: saying certain things and then getting a predictable reaction out of people is something most humans figure out how to do by age 3. Wow, she insulted Harlequin fans by saying they're not "serious" readers, and Harlequin fans were offended. Congratulations to her on finally reaching that milestone. <br /><br />If that's her opinion, and if it makes people angry, cool, she should stand by that opinion. But to act like making people angry was the whole point of that post, because it somehow proves something? That makes her nothing more than a troll.Lashttps://twitter.com/#!/ReaderLasnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-17123063120335702812012-06-30T20:50:11.993-07:002012-06-30T20:50:11.993-07:00There must be others who read the trilogy that sha...There must be others who read the trilogy that shall not be named AND read Harlequins. I mean, besides me and a handful of others. That said, I felt Sandy stepped over the line, and then refused to admit to the contradiction. Poorly done, Sandy, poorly done.Nikkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04889835236361582323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-4667758836853316192012-06-30T20:11:42.463-07:002012-06-30T20:11:42.463-07:00LoriK: The ship sailed for me commenting for mysel...LoriK: The ship sailed for me commenting for myself over there - mostly because Ridley said EVERYTHING that I would have (and frankly, probably WAY better) and you see how well that went over.<br /><br />At the end of the day, it's that "serious reader" dig that really bothers me. Yes, the category romance thing does annoy, but that's because I think everybody should love them. But I know, not everybody does or will and hey - that's totally cool. It's not totally cool to imply that just because you think it's crap that readers who don't think it's crap are somehow inferior, stupid, not serious, whatever. <br /><br />I get my intelligence questioned a lot because of my romance reading. Sometimes from people I know. Sometimes from people I don't know. Sometimes from colleagues (other librarians) who really should know better (my tongue, it is very bloody). I don't want to hear it from within the community.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-4107177534237515762012-06-30T20:05:46.798-07:002012-06-30T20:05:46.798-07:00Anon: LOL! Your heat comment probably got you som...Anon: LOL! Your heat comment probably got you some evil eyes ;) It's hot where I am - but I swear it can't be nearly as horrible as Texas and what's going on back east right now.<br /><br />And here at the Bat Cave we LOVE romance reading librarians! Wave your freak flag high!Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-43778025697805613552012-06-30T20:03:49.747-07:002012-06-30T20:03:49.747-07:00Hols: I've stayed away from a lot of the 50 Sh...Hols: I've stayed away from a lot of the 50 Shades hub-bub online because I have to deal with it SO much at work. I've had to defend it (yep, no lie). I've had to talk to colleagues about it. I've had to buy a gazillion copies of it. I've had to explain it (delicately I might add) to curious patrons who have only heard the title but have NO CLUE what the story is about. <br /><br />Seriously, I hate that book (not really, but I am SO SICK of talking about it all the time at my job!)<br /><br />What I don't hate are the readers who have enjoyed it. Bully for them I say. There's a book for every reader and if 50 Shades is it for you? More power to ya. So while I do agree with Sandy that yes, the disdain is getting annoying - I don't think the answer is to then throw that disdain back at entirely different sub genres. Especially within a genre that you run a frickin' site devoted to.<br /><br />It'd be like me saying that anybody who loves JR Ward or Thea Harrison is a stupid doody head - just because I'm not wild about paranormal romances.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-69662220422456689262012-06-30T19:57:21.496-07:002012-06-30T19:57:21.496-07:00Salvador: Me too! I was the same way. I got over...Salvador: Me too! I was the same way. I got over my romance snobbery through single titles - but I clung to that category disdain until I started reviewing over at The Romance Reader. Did I read some bad ones? Oh Lord, yes! I've read some category romances that I still have scars from. But I've also read some amazing ones. Just truly, amazing. Gems. And I do understand the format is not for everybody. I really do. More than anything it was that "serious reader" dig. I take enough crap from "outside" the genre community that I really don't need anyone inside of it questioning my "seriousness."Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-62105766706010487262012-06-30T19:45:32.214-07:002012-06-30T19:45:32.214-07:00Liz: Your path to category is so similar to mine i...Liz: Your path to category is so similar to mine in a lot of ways. When I started reading romance (after escaping college), I justified it to myself by saying, "Yes, I read romance - but it's not like I'm reading Harlequins!" Oh Wendy. Poor, poor deluded Wendy.<br /><br />Also, ditto everything you said in your last paragraph. To a T. Sums up my entire blog post quite nicely :)Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-77684230702619345352012-06-30T19:42:04.239-07:002012-06-30T19:42:04.239-07:00Hils: And that's the rub for me. I'm not ...Hils: And that's the rub for me. I'm not saying we all have to be happy, sunshine, rainbows all the time. I'm also not saying we all have to LOVE the same books. But these subtle digs within the genre? Dude, don't we get enough of that BS from people who don't read romance? <br /><br />Jill & Laura: I've never been active in their community, but I've always respected AAR. Truly. They were extremely ground-breaking (the whole "at the back fence" style before there was social media) and I've always supported them because of that. But dude. This just....pales. Fine, you don't like category. Fine, you don't like small town romances. But to make that dig about those of us who do like them not being "serious readers?" I'm out.<br /><br />KB/KT: It's easy to just dump everything under the Harlequin umbrella these days - but yes, category is a format that does exist outside their walls. Especially now that Loveswept has been revived. So the answer is yes. Yes you are a silly reader :)Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-34120623520905378532012-06-30T16:00:15.140-07:002012-06-30T16:00:15.140-07:00I gave up reading regularly at AAR a while ago, bu...I gave up reading regularly at AAR a while ago, but every now and then I wander back over to see what's new. When I saw that post I was reminded why I stopped reading there. <br /><br />What a hypocritical load of bull that was and the comments just made it worse. It totally chapped my hide that both AAR Sandy and her supporters were acting as if everyone displeased with her post was just a bitter category fan who had made nasty comments about The Book and who could dish it out but not take.<br /><br />I read some category books, but they're not my primary interest. I read the first few chapters of The Book and then DNFed it. (I have no objection to the kink per se, but I didn't like the writing. Like some earlier commenters I'm also bothered by the attempts to hide the books' origins as fanfic.) That means I have no dog in a category vs The Book brawl. I do have a dog in the "serious reader" fight though and IMO AAR Sandy is dead wrong on that topic. One of her fans said that if people don't like what she wrote they just shouldn't read her posts, to which I say, "That's the plan."LoriKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-79821618896707949882012-06-30T10:55:23.530-07:002012-06-30T10:55:23.530-07:00Not at all, Laura. I think that comment was direct...Not at all, Laura. I think that comment was directed at you. <br /><br />I like your quote. I might have read that before at TMT.Jill Sorensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13780655429244358019noreply@blogger.com