That sounds atrocious 😭 if I were you and I wanted to try to continue these conversations with her, I’d either 1) try to find a book she likes on the dl and read it and then try to talk to her about it on an intellectual level, or 2) just kinda go “I’m new in my reading journey, and obviously I’m not at your level because you’ve been reading for longer than I’ve been alive, but I want to build this connection with you, so I’d really appreciate recs so I can grow as a reader”

11

I am in my 20s and she acts like I can’t read other books and says things like “You’re not smart enough to handle the books I read because then you have to think” like I get the books I’ve read aren’t hard to understand but they are not children’s books. I’ve read about three books and the only one I would say would be appropriate for children is the one I’m currently reading, but the other two are not appropriate for children unless they’re more mature and advanced for their grade level.

7

I’m not combative so I literally would just not talk about reading with her anymore. Honestly, it doesn’t sound like she’s open to talking nicely anyways.

6

I’m not combative irl, but I would tell her how her statements make you feel, especially if it’s turning you off from reading (I know it would for me). Just be like “gma, your comments about my reading level are very hurtful and they make me want to stop reading entirely. I don’t read children’s books, I read YA and adult books. The concepts may be easy to understand, but I’m not reading them to uncover a purpose, I’m reading them because they’re enjoyable to me.” Or something like that

6

Does anyone have any recommendations on how to handle this situation without coming off as a bitch?

2