I Spy

I was on the metro on my way home from work today when I realized I have a potentially intrusive habit. It takes the form of watching people read on public transportation. More specifically, I want to see what they’re reading, how far into they are, or whether it’s in English, French or another language. Do they seem like they’re enjoying it? Are they getting moved by the words before them? Is it from a library, and if so, which one? Is it a bestseller or an older book? Call it a librarian compulsion.

There are student crammers, squeezing in what are obviously assigned texts. There are those who hide what they read from prying onlookers like me, for reasons I could only surmise as embarrassment (nobody should ever be ashamed of what they read. Any reader, in my opinion, is a step up from the “stare at one’s reflection in the window” variety of passenger.)

A few months ago I noticed several people on the metro reading the latest Harry Potter book. One of them caught me looking at the volume in his hand and I smiled and pointed to the others in the car also toting the familiar tome. He smiled; I grinned; connection. We both knew that every single one of us needed to find out what happened to Harry and Dumbledore, and whether Malfoy’s plan would succeed or not. I knew that he knew that we were rushing through it only to find ourselves bewildered because it would be over far too quickly.

I am always thrilled when someone whips out a book on the bus or metro. I love seeing others derive pleasure from the written word. On a professional level, I also get a random sample of what Montrealers are reading, and how much. Anecdotally, since our city became the World Book Capital, the number of people I spy with books has increased many-fold. Nothing makes me happier.

Whatever it takes, wherever you can: read. Just know that someone may be watching.

Comments

[Quillhill]

I like your blog, Library Girl. Keep it up.

[miriam's ideas]

I am always prying into what people are reading--and I too, am a librarian.