My Meg Cabot Moment (and another reason I love my Kindle)
I was younger, in my second year of college, on the cusp of unemployment. At the moment, I was in the lobby waiting for my name to be called. Actually, it wasn’t just for my name to be called, it was to go into a competition for a very wanted (and needed) job. My office job at the time wasn’t paying enough, and I was so nervous. I did everything I could to try to be as calm as possible. I wore extra deodorant. I used my overdrawn credit card to get my hair professionally blow dried. I wore a fierce red lip. I wore my black fitted, structured dress suit with 3″ heels. I looked like I was made for the job, and I felt it. I even brought a book with me to read to while waiting- one of Meg Cabot’s Princess series. It was easy, fun, and took my mind off the fact I had two month’s late rent bills in my purse.
I killed the interview. There was no competition, and this job couldn’t have been more perfect for me. As I confidently shook the hand of my future boss, I knew I was hired. When I walked out the interview room, I heard my soon to be employer tell the receptionist to start filling out my paperwork–I was “perfect” for the job. However, my confident stride went from tall to small in seconds. All I heard was, “She’s reading a cheesy teen book…*scoffs*” and as I slowly walked out, so did my job. The receptioniost had no idea who I was, but based on the book I was reading, ruined my chance of getting what could have been a great job. I was judged and it felt so ugly. She didn’t know my normal book at home was Howard Zinn’s P.H.O.T.U.S. She didn’t know I desperately needed this job to pay my tuition. She didn’t know my love for academia. All the receptionist knew was that I was reading a cheesy teen book her little sister probably read in a day, and not a repulsive Cosmo magazine like the other women waiting with me. Thinking back now, I don’t think I’d want to work for a boss who listened to the receptionist over her gut feeling. BUT STILL.
Everytime I open my Kindle in public, this is the only moment that always come to mind. My Meg Cabot moment. How thankful I am the people next to me have no idea I’m reading embarrassing books that have nothing to do with my character, but everything to do with my entertainment.
(I don’t agree with the quote below, but if that’s the case, I’ve been reading Zinn.)
Source: ohhibelieveinyesterday.tumblr.com via Diana on Pinterest
*I’m in the process of *finally* choosing a winner for the other Kindle. There were so many entries! Thanks for your patience.
Spooky – I've been mentally writing THIS POST for a few days now. I love the anonymity of Kindles (and hate genre book covers).
This is heartbreaking
I really like Meg Cabot's books. There is also a good selection of books. There are some creepy stories, and one author Meg Cabot.http://www.konyv-konyvek.hu/book_images/97a/999635697a.jpg
This story is such a reminder that we live in a world where we are constantly judged by our appearances. I know that I am guilty of this too, but I try to remind myself that I have no idea what's going on in a stranger's or acquaintance's personal life. Maybe their child was sick all through the night and they couldn't bare the thought of putting on makeup in the morning, or maybe they are a confident woman on an interview who is actually a nervous young girl just needing to escape in a carefree story for a moment.All that said, I'm glad no one can see I have a Nicholas Sparks book on my Kindle.
Damn receptionist…The kindle would definitely come in handy for me in that way…haha. I like such a variety of things, but I know that at times people will label you for the book in your hand. Whether that be good or bad…definitely annoying.Whatever. I happen to like me a little Meg Cabot.
Yeah, so I can completely relate. I read, seriously, every kind of book out there and once in a while, I really enjoy a quick, funny, chick lit book. I don't have a Kindle… but when I finally do get one, I don't think I will miss worrying about people judging me by my books cover.
That's incredible as a moral story. I've wondered before if people judge me by my books. I never thought about the Kindle hiding that though…. I guess you're right – it does. I think they should be impressed you were reading at all! So few people I know read for joy any more. Besides, reading can be for learning and reading can be for a quick enjoyment. I wonder what books that receptionist reads when she goes to the beach? A Tale of Two Cities? Besides, you obviously read from different genres and that's good! It's nice to keep up with a lot of different circles to learn new perspectives. Thank you so much for sharing this and hopefully it will inspire others to know that there's more to a book than it's cover (or genre).
I'm a librarian and I've had a literal Meg Cabot moment, too — at the library! I'm proud to admit that I'm a 30-year-old librarian (not a young adult librarian, who would have had a "reason" for reading a Cabot book) who is entertained by Princess Mia!
I was recently reading a David Sedaris essay (not exactly a "teen" book – but not "literature" either) that happened to be in the New Yorker. I was awful pleased with how I looked on the bus – like a smarty pants – when I was really reading hilarious writing with bad words in it.on another note : I loved that series! One of the reasons I fell in love with books as a kid. Whatever, receptionist. High Culture snobbery is the worst!
I would never have even thought about that. I've never judged someone by what their reading, I read all sorts of stuff. I'm sorry that happened to you but glad you have the Kindle, it's on my things to buy in the near future when I have lots of money
Wow, what a sad boss. I love to read books, I could care less if it's DR. Seuss or The Girl With Dragon Tattoo or The Dive From Clausen's Pier! haha! ;] xo.
that's so obnoxious! you should have called the receptionist and her boss back and told them what you said in this post!
Silly receptionist.I was reading "Mother Night" while waiting for a dentist's appt once and was kind of hoping that everyone wouldn't be drawn to the graphic on the front cover (because it was an old school edition of the Vonnegut classic – and the cover was actually illustrated with characters)…People are annoyingly judgmental.
I never even thought about that benefit to the Kindle. I don't have an eReader even though I worked in electronic publishing before I went back to school to get my teaching license. I am constantly reading young adult fiction. I think it's cool. I've read all of the classics too, but people don't need to be book snobs. The secretary who made the comment probably never reads. Grrrr.
How ironic is the phrase "never judge a book by its cover" when that's exactly what you were judged upon. Thanks for sharing this story with us. I will be happy to have a Kindle so I can hide my Twilight books
#teamedward
What a terrible shrew that receptionist was. That job certainly lost out!
lol I totally know what you mean! I'm always glad to have my kindle handy when I read cheesy chick lit
This story reminds me of when I was reading War and Peace on transit to and from work for a summer. I got a few dirty looks because my bag, with this gigantic book in it, would accidentally bump people. I also got a few looks of confusion and surprise. When everyone else was reading their text messages or flimsy free papers, I sort of loved pulling out this tome.:)Of course, right after War and Peace I went and read a few really cheesy mystery novels.I actually love seeing what other people are reading in public, to see if it's something I've read. Sometimes I even look up the titles later. I've found a couple good books this way.
I really liked this post! I've never read any Meg Cabot books, but I'm sure they're tons of fun! I like the comparison to Cosmo too. What the eff, receptionist?I'm sure you deserve better anyways. It makes for a good story at least!(Also, I still read Archie comics sometimes. I love them!)
That was so not fair…but I think it's better you didn't work with her anyways.
This is like out of a movie! I cant believe someone would judge you like that. Job interviews are probably right up there with washing dishes as one of the things I hate to do most in life!
Wow. I am such a fan of "the printed word," but YOU ARE TOTALLY RIGHT. I feel judged by whatever books I have laying around!!Wow. You just blew my mind. But you kinda spoke it, I guess.Awesome!
Far out! That is just beyond the pits! What a narrow minded so and so that woman was! So not good – that story is eveything and everyone in this world who makes my heart sink and wonder why I bother…
oh man, how lame! they really missed out by not hiring you. one point i'd like to argue- receptionists (if they are good) hold WAY more power than people are willing to give them. they are like the neck that turns the bosses head. the first thing i do if i'm working in a new office is to make nice with the receptionist. they can often make or break you. this one sounds like she sucked though. if i ever see her, i'll kick her in the shin.
Wow. I make jokes about seeing grown women read Twilight and such, but I would never judge someone's job competency by the book they are reading! How shallow. I am sure it all did work out for the best, but still…
I FREAKIN' LOVE Meg Cabot, Diana. She Went All the Way is one my favourites as well as the Size 14 Isn't Fat series. YOU RULE. I hate all that literary book snobbishness. I display my florid romance novels right next to me Coupland, de Boitton, and racks and racks of Vogues. I hope that receptionist is STILL a receptionist. Career death for her.
this little story is funny and i totally relate.my sister works the library and the university we go to and when i read "chick lit" (my latest obsession the shopaholic series) the people she works with kinda make fun of me because i read chick lit. and just like you they dont know i was in the middle 4 different classics novels. i just think its funny we all have one of those stories.Peace & Love,Erica
Ugh. There's nothing that pisses me off quite so much as judging people based solely on the books they like to read. I'm a Readers' Advisory Librarian, and I'm constantly telling people to never apologize for the books they like, whether those books be bodice-ripping romances, splatterpunk horror, "cheesy teen books," or Howard Zinn. There is a book for everyone, and everyone has a book! (Paraphrasing Ranganathan for that one…) I was helping a woman the other day whose son had requested several books, and she kept repeating, as though apologizing, "I don't know…this is what he asked for! This is what he wanted!" and shaking her head. Finally, I said, cheerily "Yes, and I see no problem with that!" She just sort of gaped at me. Like, what, because I'm a librarian I'm supposed to be judgmental when it comes to reading tastes?I have a Nook, not a Kindle, but it's never occurred to me before how nice the "anonymity" factor could be, reading on an eReader. Hmm.
Returned to add a relevant quote:"When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."– C.S. Lewis
I love Meg Cabot, her books are so easy to get into and lose yourself in. Books are amazing things, and I wish everyone would get into them. I've always been afraid of what people would think, so I either don't read in public or I keep my title down. I was the same way with knitting on the bus, but then a couple other ladies started doing it, and then pretty soon they all were doing it, and then it became okay. That was a nice moment for me.