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Matthew Douglas

Dr Terri Potter

Anthropology 1010

Cultural Analysis of Bookworms

Introduction

For my subcultural analysis and research, I have selected bookworms, those that read

books as their hobby. The research prior to the field research were articles discussing the impacts

of book clubs and how groups formed around reading. One had mentioned specifically that a

club in Alaska at a college campus helped with bringing people together. (Terwilliger, L. K,

2016) Another had researched what books were part of a book club and the possible influence of

the selection. (Norrick-Rühl, C. 2017) There was also research into the different book clubs and

the diversity of them in Australia. The research was also looking into the effect book clubs had

on communal interaction. Looking at how a book club could help bring the community closer

together. (Clarke, R., Hookway, N., & Burgess, R., 2017) I selected to research this as books

have always interested me, though I was not an avid reader and the community the surrounds

them has intrigued me. I expected to find an avid community and culture of readers who dedicate

a lot of their time and talents to reading and the fandom that surrounds some of the books. The

culture shock that I experienced was interesting. I had found it surprising the diversity of

literature that is consumed and the people that consume it. As well how willing people are to talk

about their favorite books and discuss what they like about them. Another shock was how quick

some were to recommend different books.

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Methods

The main research sites were bookstores. Specifically, the bookstore chain of Barnes and

Nobles. As well as some online sites to get some broader views and interactions. The main

methods used were key informants, direct observation in the field, participant observation,

informal interviews, mapping the area and online observation. The time in a store was spent

observing who was in the

store and how they interacted

with the employees and those

in their group if there was

more than one person. There

were a few chatting with a

couple of different

employees and a customer in

a more informal setting. A

key informant was a

coworker who is an avid

reader and participant in his

community. Participant

participation was to read a

few of the recommendations

to see what was special and

to have a closer interaction

and understanding. The

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online observation was spent viewing a few videos of more prominent members and reading a

couple of online forums to get some more viewpoints. There were 10 trips visiting a couple

different stores and about 8 hours in total in person, with a few more hours online.

Cultural Aspects

Language

Bookworms have an interesting use of language. They have their own specific jargon and

acronyms to communicate. With the language that is used to orally communicate or written a

found a few examples of different words. One specific example was tome. Readers were found

to use tome to describe large books. These books were usually found in areas called high fantasy

or space operas. High fantasy is referred to a fantastical world and setting that is not on Earth,

but a fictional world created by an author. Space operas are tales of civilizations in space that

sometimes follow a theme of kingdoms and factions. Readers used words such as these to help

describe and delineate their specific interest. Readers were found to use familiar words but in a

slightly different context when it came to their hobby. A frequent term that was used frequently

was binged and devoured. It was interesting to hear these words used in the context of books.

Readers used these terms to emphasize how quickly they read a book or a series of books. As

well they used king or queen when referring to authors. Saying an author is a king or a queen

referred the author to as the best when it came to their specific area of writing. On one occasion

in a conversation with an employee at one of the Barnes and Noble locations, she referred to

authors as kings and queens of their genres. Lastly, in the culture there was found to be made up

terms and acronyms. A common example was TBR, shorthand for to be read. It is commonly

used to refer to the list of books waiting to be read.

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Economic Practices

Findings for the economic practices showed a great deal of generalized reciprocity. As in

the field, a few in the stores were looking for books to give to others. It was a way for one to

share their ideas with another. As well as online its readers were found to send books to one

another. Sending books was found to be between a creator of content and a viewer. A few video

creators were found to have received books from those that view their content, in exchange for

their thoughts and opinions. Some frequent senders to the creators were from authors. As they

would use these gifts as ways to promote their books. As well some of the content creators would

send books to others, such as friends and viewers of their content. They felt they wanted to give

back to their community and use their platform to continue to share their love of books. Another

practice that was found was second-hand or local bookstores. People would go to stores to find

books at cheaper prices secondhand. They would also trade in some of their books to get credit to

get more books to read.

Creative Expression and Art

Art was found to be a large part of the experience of reading and being part of a reading

community. As writing is a form of creative expression. Many bookworms read fictional stories

that take place in alternate realities or in different fictional worlds. Most of these are written

stories that one then imagines the setting and the characters to be immersed in that world. Part of

the community creates art pieces that are drawings or paintings, that help illustrate these stories'

descriptions. The art can be a character, object, location, or a mix of any of them. This

expression is part of how people participate and show their love for their hobby and community.

As well some choose to add to the fictional universe by writing fanfictions. Which are stories

and ideas that add to the story. Most are seen as just alternate fun stories that people share with
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one another to show what they might think would happen. Another form of expression is the

dress and adornment of readers. There are many clothing items that have designs that are from a

book or series. Readers will wear these items to show their support and love for their hobby.

Tattoos are another form of expression that is used commonly. Some have gotten tattoos that

refer to their hobby and book series that they enjoy. These tattoos can be small and personal, or

they can be large to show off to others.

Gender

The bookworm community has a modern western view of gender and identity. With

different genders and forms of self-expression an active part of the culture. It is still a limited and

smaller number amongst those in the community. When it comes to gender participation and

diversity it is fairly balanced between the male and female genders. There are some gender

norms that were found. Women were more likely to read romance and period fiction. Men were

more likely to focus on history and business. This was drawn from observing where more of

each gender was in certain areas of the stores. As men were more likely to be near the sections

same as the women. When it comes to their dress and expression it follows most gender norms of

the western world. Men usually have pants and a shirt, with a jacket or a hoodie. Women as well

pants and a shirt, but as well plenty had skirts, dresses, leggings, and jackets.

Religion

In the culture of readers there are a variety of beliefs. With books being a part of many

religious groups, it was found they are active participants amongst readers as well. Different

stories have religious themes or are a key part of the story. A prominent religion from

observation was Christianity. With bookstores dedicated to Christian writings and publishing and
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certain sections of larger stores reserved for religion and Christian books, religion plays a large

part amongst bookworms. A key member of the reading community would be active Bible study

groups. It is a religious book club and are meant to be gatherings of likeminded Christian

believers to gather and discuss their thoughts of the bible and its teachings. When it comes to

other religions there are commentaries and groups around them that people would read and

discuss.

Bookworms have their own rituals and belief in the community itself apart from the

institutional religion that is a part of the community. Reading is a ritual for some members, and

they have taken an active part of their day. Bookworms will choose to read in the morning, at

night before going to bed, or during their commute. They make it an important feature of their

day. Another ritual is making a specific drink to have while they read. Coffee or tea is a common

option amongst bookworms. Part of the community as well is sharing what one has read.

Bookworms often opt to keep a log of all their books, some writing down their thoughts as well

to reflect on what they have read.

Leadership/Politics

With bookworms there is an interesting informal way of leadership and political

organization. It starts with the leaders. The different forms of leaders come from community

creation, whether that is through being the author of a book or series, a forum creator or

moderator or a content creator. These individuals are the leaders of the community. As they are

the creators and initiators. As well they have the most experience with the topic or idea. That

gives them the most power and authority. Experience is what gives one that right. An example is
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a store attendant that had authority on the genre of horror. She had the most experience and

knowledge of the genre. That put her in a position of power. With the forums, the online location

where many bookworms will gather, moderators and forum creators have power over the others

when it comes to regulation. Many forums have their different rules of the group to promote a

good environment. That regulation usually is preventing harassment and bullying, as well

unproductive or irrelevant topics to the group. They have a lot of power as they get to decide the

different rules and when to enforce them.

Conclusion

Bookworms are a diverse group of individuals that bring many exciting traits to the culture. It

is a diverse culture, with subgroups within subgroups. Those subgroups have unique cultures and

ideas unto themselves. Showing a subculture with intelligent and creative individuals, who have

a passion for what they do. Bookworms enjoy helping one another to enjoy the hobby and are

willing to interact and talk about the stories and the history of the books.

With the methods used, it was to take a broad look at bookworms, finding the cultural

commonalities. The main site and focus being a bookstore was good to find a general scope of

who bookworms are. It provided opportunities to interact with bookworms of a different genre

interests. The main site though was not ideal for long-term research. A better method would have

been to find specific in-person gatherings and book clubs. As those provide greater opportunities

and interactions amongst bookworms. For further research it would be wise to select a more

specific genre group of bookworms. Different ones could be romance, fantasy, sci-fi, etc. The

interviews were informal and conversational. That seemed ideal and proved to be effective in

learning about the different interests and aspects of the culture.

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Reflection

The ethnocentrism felt as limited as possible. It was still difficult as with any new group

there will be some biases and possible stereotypes to overcome. Due to the participant

observation, there were fewer times that felt that ethnocentric beliefs were limiting or

misinterpreting the observations. It helped to see the culture how a bookworm would see it. To

understand the culture, it took time to learn the language. As the different terms and uses help in

understanding the intricacies of the culture. Learning from this experience it showed that to study

a culture is difficult. To accurately seems near impossible. This experience taught that as well

there is no one method. A culture has many aspects and each one must be considered to view the

whole. I learned that culture is what defines us as people and that each one of us is a part of a

different culture.
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References

Norrick-Rühl, C. (2017). “Stimulating our Literature and Deepening our Culture”:

Translated Books as Book-of-the-Month Club Selections, 1926 to 1973. Quaerendo, 47(3/4),

222–251. https://doi-org.libprox1.slcc.edu/10.1163/15700690-12341383

Terwilliger, L. K. (2016). University of Alaska Anchorage Care Team Book Club: From

Responding to Students of Concern to Creating a Caring Community -- One Story at a

Time. Journal of Campus Behavioral Intervention (J-BIT), 4, 1–4. https://doi-

org.libprox1.slcc.edu/10.17732/jbit2016/1

Clarke, R., Hookway, N., & Burgess, R. (2017). Reading in Community, Reading for

Community: A Survey of Book Clubs in Regional Australia. Journal of Australian

Studies, 41(2), 171–183. https://doi-org.libprox1.slcc.edu/10.1080/14443058.2017.1312484

Drawn map of Barnes and Nobles to map area of store while to understand the area of

observation.