Kids (and adults) these days smh

[rynling]

This is a vent post, but I need to get something off my chest here so I can be normal elsewhere. Here goes:

Now that I'm updating my book review blog again, I'm starting to get all sorts of messages from people asking where they can find the books I review. I'm flattered, of course, but this is a bizarre question. Like idk, you can get books at the library? Amazon? Your local bookstore?

Sometimes people try to sneak in classist bullshit, like, Oh I wish I could read this book but I don't have the money to buy it. Then how about you spend five minutes on Reddit and learn how to pirate a digital edition?

I would understand if people were asking about books only published in Japan or Europe or India, or about books that are out of print, but it's always mass-market paperbacks.

Obviously I want to be friendly and supportive and helpful, but I'm having trouble understanding this type of inquiry. Presumably these people aren't getting in touch because they think I have some sort of special relationship with a book fairy who flutters in through my bedroom window and leaves books under my pillow while I sleep. So what is it that they're actually asking? Do they genuinely not know how to find or order books?

Any insight or advice is appreciated btw.

Comments

[lassarina]

Maybe they're expecting each review to end with purchase links, and don't know what to do if there isn't one provided? I dunno, that's all I've got.

[rynling]

You know what, I hadn't thought of that. This makes sense, and it's as good of an explanation as any I guess.

[lassarina]

I just thought of it because a lot of posts reviewing/talking about books I've seen have had those links - they're at the bottom of every Big Idea post on Scalzi's blog, at the end of each review on Smart Bitches Trashy Books, etc. and I guess if that's how someone's used to finding books (I assume booktok has affiliate links somehow? Maybe?) and not used to looking on their own....

(Which baffles me. I say, staring at the wish list of things I'd like to read someday that could probably keep me busy for a decade if I read one a day....)