maybe.

Would you break up with someone who read something to lowbrow?

Only if I wanted to be labeled an Insufferably Hypocritical Fuckwit.

(Not that I'm not already labeled that by some. I'm sure I am.)

I mean...

"Look, Aimee, I think you're great, but I can't take the fact that you read these trashy romances. Gah! I'm afraid it's over."

"Is that 'Kingdom Come' on your bookshelf?"

"...yes."

"Isn't that a novelization, not an original novel?"

"...yes."

"Isn't that a novelization of a comic book?"

"I'll just go do the dishes, whattya say?"

"I say pack your shit, Insufferable Hypocritical Fuckwit Boy."

Eh. I have a ton of romance novels next to the bed, and Bob Bob doesn't read fiction. And I still bagged the most promising Kant scholar of his generation, so suck on that, Times hipster douchebags.

I think not being a reader would be more of a deal breaker than any specific book.

I think the problem I have is that I think of books as short hand for other aspects of one's personality. And it isn't, necessarily. I read all over the map. If someone broke up with me because I like to read easy pageturners or literary cannon, it would offend me deeply.

I had an online friendship end over Howard Stern one time. I tried to bring up something I'd heard on the show and she absolutely refused to continue the conversation.

I have a ton of romance novels next to the bed, and Bob Bob doesn't read fiction. And I still bagged the most promising Kant scholar of his generation, so suck on that, Times hipster douchebags.

bahahahaha... I just snorted from laughing.

I don't really read non-fiction. You guys aren't going to dump me, are you?

Not for that alone, but those choices can be telling enough of other issues that they should not be ignored.

This.

Let’s face it — this may be a gender issue. Brainy women are probably more sensitive to literary deal breakers than are brainy men. (Rare is the guy who’d throw a pretty girl out of bed for revealing her imperfect taste in books.)

I found this part interesting since IME guys are much more sensitive about you liking whatever book, movie, or TV show they like.

I want to say I wouldn't be that shallow, but then I think of The DaVinci Code or that Bridges of Madison County book. And then I thank my lucky stars that The Boy hasn't read either of them.

I guess it's good I never tried to date Teppy!

I can't imagine breaking up with anyone over a particular book choice though. When I was working on my PhD, I read a decent amount of recency romances. It was really all my brain could take on my downtime.

I think not being a reader would be more of a deal breaker than any specific book.

We have a winnah!

I mean, seriously, I read highbrow, lowbrow, and wtf-brow; so does S, with some overlapping and some not overlapping. We'd be a lot more boring if we each only read from each others' approved list.

It's just....I'm not sure I could date someone who considered The DaVinci Code to be *good* writing. I mean, I'm ashamed to say that, but it's true.

On the other hand, I used to -- very seriously -- say I could never date someone who didn't drink. And The Boy doesn't, but it all works out nicely. I get a designated driver, and he gets a drunk girlfriend.

(Well, at least it works out for *me*....)