If you’re a proud and certified bibliophile like I am, you probably would have been caught on different occasions, especially at places where it “seems” reading can’t possibly occur, and that someone who doesn’t or rarely ever reads, starts up a conversation to you—because bibliophiles are such rare creatures out in the wild 🙄. If this hasn’t happened to you, that doesn’t make you any less of a bibliophile, just this happens a lot to me and I can’t help but believe it happens to others also.

These conversations get me offended more often than not because a lot of people have had various versions of this conversation with me: That people who read fiction don’t know the difference between fiction and reality.

I know the difference, like the difference, is so huge. First a foremost when I pick up a fictional book, I always bear in mind the meaning of F I C T I O N.

Fiction /ˈfɪkʃ(ə)n/
noun
1. literature in the form of prose, especially novels, that describes imaginary events and people. synonyms: novels, stories, creative writing, imaginative writing, works of the imagination, prose literature, narration, story telling

2. something that is invented or untrue.”they were supposed to be keeping up the fiction that they were happily married” synonyms: fabrication, invention, lies, fibs, concoction, untruth, falsehood, fantasy, fancy, illusion, sham, nonsense.

With that explanation out of the way, there’s no way I confuse them, because fiction is an imitation of life, there might be similar occurrences or talk of real-life occasions and what not, but ultimately a fictional work, is the creative and imaginative work of an author, that should never be confused as reality.

I find it odd, that these people don’t bring up this same topic when they discuss their love for motion pictures. Aren’t they fictional works also? Why is it okay to watch movies, without subjecting anyone to their unwarranted opinion of how these movies can be mistaken for reality? But when it comes to bibliophiles they must share this.

I have book boyfriends and best friends, there’s a distinction—book, the word book means they aren’t real, we know they are fictional characters, with characteristics that we can only hope humans have. But that doesn’t mean I’m searching for this kind of characters and only people with their characteristics in reality. It doesn’t work that way. I’m sure you understand the point I’m trying to make but failing, lol.

After I argue this points with them, about how I am aware that fiction isn’t real, because our reality is such a hard pill to swallow most times and life doesn’t usually work the way it does in fictional work. They end their argument with, but not all readers know this and believe life works like a fairytale or has a Happily Ever After ending.

I don’t know any reader that believes life works like a fairytale. That read fictional books and expect their lives to portray what they read. (If that’s the case for you, then that’s unhealthy. you’re setting yourself up for a whole lot of hurt. trust me) Do you know any reader who believes life is like the fiction novels they read? Do you?

What’s your opinion on this conversation, reality vs. fiction? Or with non-readers trying to undermine your reading experience?

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