Pigeon-holed. Stereotyped. Type-casted. Categorized. This has probably happened to you as a reader. There’s a dusty old image that comes to mind of a reader wearing thick glasses, nervous and quiet, with their nose stuffed deep into a volume of an encylopedic tome. And don’t get me started with librarian stereotypes—a stern old woman with a bun, shushing you quiet.

But it’s 2024 and lucky for us, these ancient assumptions are almost history. Just type “reader” in Google images, and you’ll see many different ages, genders, races, and reading formats. While we’re making progress on who we see as a reader, there are still some lingering biases about what we’re reading.

Here to set the record straight, we’re debunking these common myths and misconceptions about our beloved books and libraries.

Audiobooks aren’t reading.

It’s true—listening isn’t the same as reading. It’s better (IMO). However you engage with the text, consuming the story is reading in my book. Study after study have found no significant differences between reading and listening when it comes to comprehension.

Audiobooks allow so many who may not be able to “read” books in the traditional sense the same benefits, like visually impaired readers, struggling readers, or those who don’t have the luxury of time and a quiet, undisturbed place to read. Just like visual reading, we’re entertained while we expand our understanding of pronunciation, tone, story structure, and sentence composition.

Tens of thousands of years of passing along the tradition of oral storytelling have prepared us to hear stories in this way. Your ancestors say, go ahead and download that audiobook!

Adults can’t read YA.

If you’re ever read or watched Harry Potter, Hunger Games, or Twilight outside of your teen years, then you’ve broken this silly rule.

Young adult (YA) books can only be read by young adults because they’re the only ones who understand the emotional turbulence of youth, right? Wrong. Unbelievable to many teens, but their parents were young once, too, and can relate to many of the themes in the YA genre. The nostalgia, escapism, and strong emotions aren’t just for young readers, and there are so many good books to choose from, no matter your age.

Graphic novels aren’t books.

Adding illustrations to a book doesn’t make it inferior—in fact, the opposite is true. Not only does the author need to write more clearly and succinctly than ever, the illustrator also plays a huge role, bringing the plot and characters to life through gorgeous visuals. It’s a delicate dance that takes so much more than slapping some words on a page, and the result delivers a beautiful blend of art and literature.

Comics and graphic novels can also provide scaffolding for new or struggling readers and are great for visual learners. Even if you’re not just learning to read, they are literal works of art with captivating storylines to match.

Romance isn’t a real genre.

Whoever said romance isn’t a real genre has obviously never read romance. They’re elegant, engaging, imaginative, and like other genres, offer a chance to escape from the ho-hum of everyday life. Who doesn’t daydream while doing the dishes?

Connecting on a deep level with the characters lets us exercise our emotional intelligence, improve communication skills, and maybe even empower us in our own relationships. There’s nothing wrong with indulging in a HEA. I’d go so far as to say they should be required reading for some of the more emotionally deficient.

Nonfiction is boring.

The truth is stranger than fiction. Nonfiction might get a bad rap as you think back to heavy textbooks in high school history class. But there are so many approachable books about every topic under the sun—politics (which is a lot of things these days, but boring isn’t one of them), cooking, self-help, how-to guides, gardening, science, religion, and more.

Everything from celebrity memoirs and travel writing to historical epics and humor can be considered nonfiction. Plus, isn’t it great to really sink into the story knowing it actually happened?

Libraries are just for books.

Not only do many libraries offer resources like free museum passes and power tools (and even MORE surprising items), but it’s also a welcoming, safe space for families, readers, film lovers, creators, and writers in your community. With free family events, author talks, and art exhibits, your library (yes, the one in your neighborhood) is bursting with cultural inspiration.

If you haven’t visited in awhile, check out your library at their physical branch to explore all the cool perks available to you. You can even swing by online and visit their website for digital offerings including ebooks and audiobooks on the Libby app and streaming video on Kanopy.

Physical books are best.

All kinds of reading is good reading. Cozying up with a physical book and a warm cup of tea can be heaven. Grabbing your Kindle Paperwhite from your carry-on as you lift off for a 5-hour flight might be just the ticket. Listening to an audiobook on CarPlay while you drive is so smart.

Browsing the shelves of your local library is a perfect way to spend an afternoon, but so is lounging in a hammock with an ebook you borrowed from the library in just a couple of taps on your phone.

There’s no right way to read, no superior format, no elite genre. The best kind of reading is the one you love to do.

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