Dear Co-worker

Really it should be an open letter to non-readers, but first explanation. I've been told I can be quite snarky. I replied that I could try to change, fail and hate myself as a result. I decided at the beginning to veto that course of action as it's way more fun to hate everyone else. I wrote a letter on assignment about reading to two different people. One was a letter that strove to relate and connect. The other was condescending and rather cathartic.

Without further adieu:

Dear co-worker,

                You do not quite understand my need to read through a lunch break. You do not quite get that the few moments that I get with these bound pages have been what I’ve been looking forward to all morning. I understand that you do not realize that a book can be an adventure into another world. That it can help you better empathize with those around you. It can also help create understanding, not only for the reader of the world, but to let the reader know that the world can be understanding. These things are important to me. Reading is important to me.

                A few things. I do not generally consider my reading time as time to talk. I would rather not have to explain the plot. Thirty minutes are short enough when it is just a break from work. Imagine it is the only time you can snatch from your day to spend with your significant other. It seems shorter still, does it not? Reading is my time with my significant other. Even those books I am not enjoying are books that are standing in between me and those I want to read. All of the time I can get to put that book behind me is precious. While I cannot control your personal book associations, I would rather you not try to start a conversation with asking if I have read the latest book that is being blasted throughout the press. You see me with a book, know that now is not the time. We can talk genres when I am not currently trying to escape into one.

                I know these things seem rude. I assure you I am not meaning to shut you down as a friend. I simply need you to understand that my time with a book in front of my face is not a time I welcome conversation. While I need to work on being offended by questions that are clearly asked to connect as human beings, I would also appreciate it if you would save them for times where I am not trying to read. Reading is my refresher so that I can take on the rest of the day. Throwing aside the desire not to be pretentious, I am asking that you respect my desire to not engage with you and to engage with the bound paper inches from my face.

Please consider these things,

Avid Reader