#BookishThoughts-Thinking Allowed

A lot of talk has gone on, lately, in real life and online, as to the nature of ‘finding my tribe’ and  the ‘community’ in the book blogger/book lover world.

I have used that phrase on many an occasion without actually thinking about the root of the word, what the use of it signifies to others and how it comes across.

What do either of these phrases mean and are they the same thing?

Well, in my humble opinion, no, no they are not.

Even Google agrees that a tribe and a community share different goals, aspirations and characteristics and are not the same thing-apart from the uneasy colonial undertones of using the word ‘tribe,’ there is a status and rank conferred to being in a tribe that is absent from being in a community.It’s exclusive rather than inclusive.

Even the word ‘family’ suggests a strongly held , often biological link, that doesn’t reflect what the nature of that group, or groups of people, hold to be true.

Lots of little nudges have been prompting me to write this post, most of it observations, and some of it feelings, which require reflection, chewing over and hopefully rationalisation.

That is not to say that I have come to a place of clarity, more edging my way there and noticing the developing of a schism in this place where I felt happy and welcomed. There is a strata of exclusivity attached to the notion of a tribe which really hit home yesterday.

I was absolutely thrilled to see the little blogger group to which I try and attend monthly, being name checked for the first time in a book store window.

It was to advertise an upcoming book event and I was so excited , thinking ‘I’m a part of that!’ 

And then, what about the people looking at that poster , with no idea what a book collective is, would they be welcoming,would it put you off? Is there implied membership to a certain group and does it signify exclusivity?

I think it does.

And it’s hard to write but yes, when you are going ‘Guys I have a book which is a literal time traveller, not out for MONTHS!’ it’s a brag no matter which way you cut it.

Opting out of blog tours for books because you prefer to be approached directly from a publisher, again,it’s a brag. It’s a privilege, and huge fun to be invited on a blog tour -firstly you choose to be involved, hell check the front of my page, I was staggered to find I had done so many of them!

But then, what are you conveying by being on nearly every blog tour poster?

And I am absolutely standing down over the next year as I feel it’s good to step aside and make room for others, a huge project in the works and a new job to start.I don’t want to be less than 100% committed , the tour organisers don’t need that, the authors don’t need that.

It’s been a wonderful year but COME ON! You must have been sick of seeing my name on tour posters (and this is another argument-bought books, borrowed books, versus proofs as though one type is more worthy than another-people, they are BOOKS! Get a grip!)

There are some incredible books coming out this year , genuinely wonderful things about which I cannot wait to talk to people about.

But how much of it is creating buzz and how much is it about creating ‘‘fear of missing out’, is that our tribe?

I hope not.

I hope it’s a community with shared ideas, a commonality which is a love of books and wanting to share as many of them as possible, to have that moment when someone says ‘I am going to order that from the library!’ or ‘I have not tried that author before, thanks for the recommendation!’

I hope it’s one that listens respectfully to other people’s opinions and does not shoot them down for not enjoying the same book.

Last week, for example, attending the Cardiff  book group really made me realise that it is entirely possible to listen to those who disagree, with genuine reasons , about the same book and not take it as a personal insult.

Nothing along the lines of ‘We cannot be friends if you do not like Jane Austen!’ ‘You don’t read Y.A? We have nothing to talk about!’ (these are examples off the top of my head not real life).

Personally, I’d like to think of the bookish community as a HUGE rainbow umbrella under which we stand, united by our love of books, looking up and seeing many colours we love.

IMAGINATION!!

And if we only love just one colour,not judging that person, not having the person who only reads historical fiction looking down on the person who reads police procedurals, or vice versa (again, just an example).

Room for all, a welcoming shelter from what is ailing us at that precise moment (normally the shite state of the world has me running for a book on a daily basis). Sharing not oneupmanship. Congratulations not barbed comments. Engagement not exclusion.Working with, not taking over. Is it too much to hope for?

And always room for a little one (or ten!)

So if you around the Swansea area on July 7th (the Air Show is on that day so it might be a bit busy!AND LOUD!) please feel welcomed , upstairs at Waterstones Swansea.

Lucie McKnight Hardy will be there from 1 p.m talking about her new debut novel ,‘Water Shall Refuse Them’ about which I am, as usual, very excited (it’s books, I love books, it’s not going to change! )

And I hope it doesn’t change for anyone reading this, that they ever feel less than worthy, that they ever feel they have to do something a certain way,in order to ‘count’ ,that the manner in which they read matters (Hey! Audio books are always reading!)

Let’s build a community and dismantle the tribes!