Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly meme created by Heidi at Rainy Day Ramblings in order to discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging (and some slightly more personal matters throw in for good measure). While Heidi is on an extended hiatus, there are five of us who are hosting it and providing the questions. The current team is composed of Berls at Because Reading Is Better Than Real Life, Jen at That's What I'm Talking About, Karen at For What It's Worth, Linda at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell and Roberta at Offbeat YA. This week's question is...
DO AUTHORS/NARRATORS' ACTIONS, POLITICAL BELIEFS, ETC. IMPACT YOUR VIEW OF THEIR WORK?
Oh God, yes. So much yes. I can make allowances for small missteps and on-the-fence behaviours/opinions, and if someone genuinely tries to do better after realising they hurt someone else with their statements or actions. But I will only put my money where my mouth is, and support progressive (or at least non-harmful) creators, as opposed to others who aren't, whether or not their political/social views are reflected by their work. That's not to say I've never liked problematic content in my life (or been blind to it), and maybe I'll do it again to an extent, but I'm striving to make conscious and informed decisions when I consume books (or any media).
Well, that's it for now. Did you enjoy this post? Would you like to participate in the meme on a regular or semi-regular basis, and get emailed the prompt list? Just head over here and fill in Jen's form! (Of course, you can jump in anytime you like - you are under no obligation to actually do all the posts, or even most of them, just because you signed up, and you can remove yourself from the list at any time). And if you're interested in participating in a more casual manner, or only in commenting, here is the TMST prompt list for the rest of November and the month of December:
- November 23rd: Gratitude. What books/authors/narrators/bloggers are you most thankful for this year?
- November 30th: Book cover love: share some book covers that you loved in 2021
- December 7th: Do you enjoy reading holiday-themed books at the holidays or year-round?
- December 14th: What's the hardest part about blogging for you?
- December 21st: What reading challenges (if any) are you planning to participate in 2022?
- December 28th: What are your favorite books/audiobooks that you read in 2021?
I'll be back on December 14th (just in time for my 55th birthday LOL). The fact is, I could probably just copy my gratitude post from last year, I don't care much for covers, and I don't read holiday books...but I WILL visit your blogs and comment on your answers!
Now tell me something...do you only support creators whose views you agree with?
As far as what they wave out in the public, it has to be pretty bad to make it back to me because I am just not that good a lurker on social media. I have DNFed a bunch of books that got political when they shouldn't have, though.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that may be a problem when the book is marketed as something else.
DeleteIt depends, for me if it is a historical book that has an author state a political belief that I don't agree with, I tend to be fine with it. Because the author isn't alive anymore, and also I am reading a book that is from the past, and this is how (some) people thought back then. And it doesn't really affect the read of the book.
ReplyDeleteThough if it is a modern author who is stating these beliefs that I don't agree with, and am actively using the money they get from the books (or in some cases merchandise) to use it in a negative political way, it does affect the read of the book.
-Quinley
That's a smart approach to the issue.
DeleteI guess I'm not as informed or conscious as you. I do try to make the right decisions but when it comes to books, I just judge the book. It's nice that people are doing the proper thing when they did wrong but it still doesn't excuse their actions when the damage is done. But I can forgive and forget since dwelling on bad things ruins one's mental health.
ReplyDeleteI would like it if all the authors I read are nice, conscientious people but who is like that completely that we can't find fault in them? I prefer not to focus on the creators but if they did something really bad, then I'll have to think on it but mostly, I don't care. It's not like we go around looking for people to agree with or even looking for books written by nice people because who wants to waste time researching on an author? Or who actually try to find info on an author before picking up a book? I think we need to spend our time on more productive things like actually reading a book instead.
Have a lovely day.
Some authors do the work for us nowadays...via social networks or even the news. And some are VERY vocal about their controversial opinions, so it's hard to miss them if you are on Twitter or Facebook (but I know you don't like those 🙂). On the other hand, perfection is not of this world, I agree.
DeleteI don't care if they have different views than my own. But it becomes a problem when they are mean, abusive or something like that and they let everyone see it. I've stopped reading authors for being mean for no reason.
ReplyDeleteOne author I stopped reading said my pet rats were vermin and said they would be food for her cats and said ew. I haven't read her since. You don't talk down about a person pets.
Absolutely, and...WHY ON EARTH would an author talk to a reader like that?!? You don't have to like rats - but being mean to their owner for the sake of it?!?
DeleteSame. If I come across something problematical it is VERY hard for me to divorce that from my feelings and I'll just be like nope, see ya.
ReplyDeleteOne can overlook the small things maybe, but some creators (like that woman author who shall not be named) make it painfully clear where they stand...
Delete"but I'm striving to make conscious and informed decisions" So much this. And that goes beyond author's views or bad behavior. It's too bad we have to be so diligent, but it's the world we live in.
ReplyDelete"Diligent", exactly! Our world is a minefield...
DeleteI agree 💯! As you said, I can't say I haven't / wont misstep. I try not to follow controversy and keep my head down. But if I know, I will not support those financially that I cannot respect.
ReplyDeleteSame about trying not to follow controversy...but these days controversy follows us...it's so hard not to see what happens. I'm kind of grateful for that though, because at least we can make informed choices...
DeleteSo many authors have been actively horrible on social media recently. It's not something I seek out to check but once I know I can't unknow - ya know? lol
ReplyDeleteIf I'm spending money or contributing financially to them I'd rather my money go to decent people trying to do/be good.
Karen @For What It's Worth
"It's not something I seek out to check but once I know I can't unknow - ya know? lol"
DeleteExactly! And even if they don't incorporate their views in their books, I can't look at them the same way once I know.