We
know about racism, feminism, consumerism, socialism, and capitalism. But here’s an ism that perhaps you are not
familiar with but would wholeheartedly embrace:
bookism.
Oxford
Dictionaries says the term’s earliest use can be traced to the late 18th
century writer Fanny Burney, meaning bookishness. I see the word to reflect a movement – and a
way to see things.
Bookism,
to me, is about people who love and support books. But it’s not a solitary pursuit or pleasure –
it’s a united movement. It represents
the millions of people who craft, publish, market, promote and read books – as
well as those who teach us to read and value and preserve books.
A
bookist, one who “discriminates against books, whether it be by their covers,
descriptions, author, etc. (for no
sensible reason)” (according to Urban Dictionary) would be the opposite of
those supporting bookism. Bibliophiles
could be part of the bookism crowd but bookism is not just a mere favoring of
books. It’s an active way of life. Bookism
supporters don’t just love books – they help others love them too. A world of
bookism is one that puts books above all other considerations, worldly
possessions, or activities. Of course
books are not as important as life and death needs of food, shelter, clothing, love, healthcare and security, but books are a vital component of the life worth
living. Once you satisfy your survival,
the activities of your life should greatly give a priority to books.
I
admit I’m prejudiced. I have a deep bias
for books. I believe in books more than
anything else. Even books that spew
viewpoints or encourage behaviors that I vehemently oppose are to be
treasured. In order to get the full
benefit of any book we need to support all books, as each has a right to exist. We need all voices to be heard and truth,
fairness, or goodness should win out.
The better books will naturally drown out the ones that some may see as
offensive, trashy, disagreeable, or outright bullshit. Bookism allows for all books to find a home
in this world and promotes a diversity of viewpoints to co-exist.
What
does bookism look like?
It’s
a society that supports – politically, financially, socially and educationally
– the pursuit of writing, creating, reading, sharing, and protecting books. It
means, depending on the situation or circumstance, books get a priority over
other things or activities.
So
how does this play out in a practical setting?
·
Governments,
when crafting a city plan, should give greater consideration to constructing, maintaining
or revitalizing its literacy infrastructure, from showcasing bookstores and
developing writing institutes, to expanding libraries and recruiting
publishers.
·
Cities should highlight literary tourism and spotlight cultural institutions or museum exhibits and historical houses
that relate to books and writers.
·
Writers
should be paid better. All too many
writers struggle to make a living. Why
should a wonderful art and gift, writing, be relegated to a part-time,
second-class hobby by a society that doesn’t seem to financially reward its
great writers and thinkers? Those who
support bookism will speak out to find ways to reward the writing class.
·
When
deciding on an activity, choose books, at least some of the time, over other
endeavors.
·
When
talking to someone, insert books into the conversation. Plan to hang with someone at a library or to
have an author speak. Mention a book you
just read or plan to buy.
·
Encourage
others to read, buy, and share more books, whether it’s children, seniors or
anyone in between.
·
Defer
to the authority of books as a source.
When quoting a fact or referencing something, where possible, use a book
instead of just searching for an easy and possible inaccurate answer online.
·
Volunteer
to help others – to save or improve lives.
Of course volunteering to help build a house, give blood, or use your
professional services to help people live are immensely important, but please also volunteer to help on matters of promoting literacy, defending free speech, or
helping writers to pursue their craft.
·
Bookism
can infiltrate everything that you say or do.
It becomes a way of life and thinking.
It means giving books some level of consideration in all of your
decisions, actions, or communications.
It’s about embracing a book-first mentality, to elevate books above
other things.
·
Those
in support of bookism would proudly use, wear, and display swag or premiums
that reflect their love and support of books -- bookmarks,
armbands, bandanas, caps, keychains, mousepads, mugs, T-shirts, posters,
screen-savers, etc.
In
life – and in society – we have to make many choices or decisions. Some of them are quite difficult and
challenging. But,
where possible, let’s put books into the equation.
Can you save money by choosing one activity over another, so that you can buy more books or donate to a literary cause? When looking to entertain yourself, before you click across the Internet, watch a movie, or take in a show, think about reading a book, joining a book club, or attending a book-related event. When befriending others, think about those who like to talk about books. When you make space in your house for a 60-inch TV also make room for a bookcase. Every facet of your life, every step of the way, should have books top of the mind.
Can you save money by choosing one activity over another, so that you can buy more books or donate to a literary cause? When looking to entertain yourself, before you click across the Internet, watch a movie, or take in a show, think about reading a book, joining a book club, or attending a book-related event. When befriending others, think about those who like to talk about books. When you make space in your house for a 60-inch TV also make room for a bookcase. Every facet of your life, every step of the way, should have books top of the mind.
Bookism
requires you use a filter or prism by which to view and judge everything and
everyone, to measure life in terms of books.
Ask
yourself:
·
Am
I helping or hurting something or someone as it relates to books with my
actions, thinking, spending, volunteering, or entertaining?
·
Did I promote books in some fashion today?
·
Did
I read a book today?
·
Did
I discuss a book today?
·
Did
I help or encourage others to read, buy, share or discuss a book today?
Bookism
could almost be a religion. It is a way of being, acting, thinking, and
feeling. It’s a powerful, positive force
that, if it infiltrates everyone’s soul, would make the world a far, far better
place than it is today. Books can solve
problems and initiate dialogues. They
can also comfort, entertain, inspire, educate, and challenge us.
\
Do you support bookism? Now go live it!
\
Do you support bookism? Now go live it!
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Brian Feinblum’s views,
opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog are his alone and not that of his
employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him
at brianfeinblum@gmail.com. He feels more important when discussed in the
third-person. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog 2017©. Born and
raised in Brooklyn, now resides in Westchester. Named one of the best book
marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs
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