Do my reading preferences make me a book snob?

[JaffaCake70]

Today a work colleague called me a 'brainiac' because I said I prefer reading biographies to fiction.. I don't even know what this means. Can anyone shed some light on why I would be deemed a 'brainiac' because of my reading preferences?

I don't think people who read fiction are any less intelligent than those that prefer auto/biographies. I thought it was a weird sweeping statement. I just prefer reading about real people rather than fictional ones.

YABU - It was a compliment, stop over thinking.

YANBU - It was an insult because your work colleagues secretly hate you.

(And no, he's not an academic)

Well I read mostly horror or true crime and no one calls me a psychopath.
Not to my face anyway...

@VentventVENT

Neither it’s a very weird comment by someone who is a bit stupid. I love a biography too - and consider them light relief on the whole. I mean it depends doesn’t it Person A reads Katie Prices latest biography Person B reads Ulysses

Who’s the “brainiac”

Neither. Because B is clearly doing it because they've got an essay to write and hand in by Friday.

@baffledcoconut

She sounds a bit thick and jealous.

No one over the age of 10 calls people brainiacs.

Ignore. Crack on. (And know you’re an excellent source of anecdotes about the people you’ve read about)

That's just what a brainiac would say @baffledcoconut

I have been called similar for preferring non fiction over fiction. I like anything I'm able to learn from. I do read some fiction but to me your reading preference is just that a preference!

It depends on the biography - was it about Einstein or Katie Price?

Your colleague doesn't sound like she reads at all.

Also depends on who's written the biography, or who it's about. Probably the most prolific autobiography-writer of the last decade is Katie Price. And no-one can argue that her books are for "brainiacs".

I don't think your preferences make you a book snob, but, so what if you were a book snob? It really doesn't matter. You should read whatever makes you happy.

Depends. are are reading, I dunno, something like Michelle Keagan's bio (which I'm sure is thrilling) or a biography like Michelle Obama's 'Becoming'?

@JaffaCake70. If you like books about the Hollywood glory days, have you read David Niven's 'Bring on the Empty Horses'? It's a fascinating read.

[quote DuckyMcDuck]@JaffaCake70. If you like books about the Hollywood glory days, have you read David Niven's 'Bring on the Empty Horses'? It's a fascinating read.[/quote]
I haven't read that one, but I've read 'The Moon's A Balloon', also fascinating!

Today a work colleague called me a 'brainiac' because I said I prefer reading biographies to fiction.. I don't even know what this means. Can anyone shed some light on why I would be deemed a 'brainiac' because of my reading preferences?

Oh, give over with the “I don’t even know what brainiac means?
Is this some kinda stealth post?

Well it's possibly better than being called pretentious, as I was!

I prefer non fiction and no one has ever commented or noticed...I feel ignored!

Biographies aren't usually particularly challenging reading so it's an odd comment. Even if you do exclusively read nothing but the highest quality literature unless you look down on other people for their preferences you're not a snob.

P.S. I love biographies too (I enioy fiction as well though).

@Billben

Today a work colleague called me a 'brainiac' because I said I prefer reading biographies to fiction.. I don't even know what this means. Can anyone shed some light on why I would be deemed a 'brainiac' because of my reading preferences?

Oh, give over with the “I don’t even know what brainiac means?
Is this some kinda stealth post?

Nasty Pasty!

@omega3

Well it's possibly better than being called pretentious, as I was!

And what was the other person's reason for saying that?

Neither. Because B is clearly doing it because they've got an essay to write and hand in by Friday.

Haha!

Yes probably! Though they've left it really fucking late!

Perhaps, if ok with op people could recommend biographies? I like something "middling" not something too easy/disposable but not something extremely in depth either.

@Graphista

Neither. Because B is clearly doing it because they've got an essay to write and hand in by Friday.

Haha!

Yes probably! Though they've left it really fucking late!

Perhaps, if ok with op people could recommend biographies? I like something "middling" not something too easy/disposable but not something extremely in depth either.

I'd love some recommendations :-)

My personal favourites are:

Swanson on Swanson - Gloria Swanson

American Eve - Paula Uruburu

Clara Bow: Runnin' Wild - David Stenn

The Curse of Beauty - James Bone

Hot toddy - Andy Edmonds

My Wicked Wicked Ways - Errol Flynn (this one is particularly entertaining)

I’d ignore it as just a thoughtless comment, what’s wrong with being a brainiac anyway. I read everything, fiction, biographies and I have a passion for true crime.
My cousin on the other hand has asked for a book for Christmas ‘something intellectual for our extensive library’ she has 2 bookcases and doesn’t read 😂

I think it was meant as a put down (unfortunately I know quite a few people who think that being academic/brainiac is bad).

Personally whatever floats your boat. I hardly read fiction these days either.

@VentventVENT

Neither it’s a very weird comment by someone who is a bit stupid. I love a biography too - and consider them light relief on the whole. I mean it depends doesn’t it Person A reads Katie Prices latest biography Person B reads Ulysses

Who’s the “brainiac”

Goes and hide some books from the bookshelves (In my 30s, that’s the sort of books I would have read for pleasure...)

Have you read this one OP? It's a corker!

www.amazon.co.uk/Bette-Joan-DIVINE-Shaun-Considine/dp/0751541877/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&crid=NH8BVHFN90IT&keywords=bette+and+joan+the+divine+feud&sprefix=bette+a%2Caps%2C148&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1603309155&sr=8-1

I read Swanson on Swanson because I love Sunset Boulevard - fascinating read! I’ll look into some it the others you have mentioned.