Sheep Among Wolves Publishing

Dear Reader: They’re All Reading It!

By Courtenay July 3, 2023 Dear Reader, Good and Great Books

We’ve all been there sometime or other. They’re all reading it! Is there something wrong with me if I want to read it, too?“They’re all reading it!” Does the phrase evoke an emotional response?

For most of us, I think it definitely does.

Sometimes it’s the classic FOMO response. “If they’re doing it, I want to do it, too!” Sometimes it’s a negative response. “If they’re doing it, I’m pretty sure I don’t want to.”

Often, if your teen years, it’s a guilty and confusing mixture of both. “Part of me wants to do whatever they’re doing. And part of me knows that’s peer pressure, so I probably shouldn’t!”

Some of us, with hypersensitive conscience even add, “Boy, I must be a really bad person for even thinking about this in the first place!”

Why Do We Care if They’re All Reading It?

We’ve all been there sometime or other. They’re all reading it! Is there something wrong with me if I want to read it, too?There’s a unique and quintessential piece of the human identity coming into play every time we hear that “they’re all reading it.”

We do care. Even those of us who shy away like a frightened pony do care. That’s why we’re running in the opposite direction in the first place.

Can we explain exactly why peer pressure influences us? There are those who would suggest that peer pressure is neither a positive nor a negative thing. It’s simply a fact.

It certainly would seem that it is a fact. Part of who God made us. Something we can direct, deny, suffocate or embrace—but never entirely eliminate.

The fact that “they’re all reading it” impacts us. It’s part of being human. Especially part of being a teen human girl.

Should I Care If They’re All Reading It?

This is where I am going to shock you, dear teen reader.

I’m going to shock myself a tiny bit, too.

Because I think the answer to this question is actually, yes. You should care.

You should care what your friends are reading. You should care for at least three reasons:

  • You care about your friends. What they’re reading matters to you because they matter to you.
  • You care about Christ’s church. What other people are reading has a direct impact on who other people become. Who other people become has a direct impact on the kingdom of God.
  • You care about belonging. And God made you that way! The cry to “fit in” comes from Him. We all crave unity and fellowship and a place of acceptance. That’s part of who God made us to be. And it’s a part that expresses itself in a thousand different facets of life. Books being one of them!
It’s Okay to be Honest

Let’s take it a step further. It’s absolutely vital to be honest. And in navigating the world of what “they’re” reading, it’s vital to be honest in at least three areas:

  • Be honest that you do care. As we discussed above, this is okay. It’s even a good thing. But many of us (myself included!) have a huge temptation to shame ourselves when we discover that we want to read a book just because somebody else is reading it, too. Be honest enough to set yourself free from this shame. There is no sin in being intrigued by a book because other people are reading it.
  • Be honest that you have weaknesses. Just because you want to read a book, doesn’t mean its automatically a good book to read. Not everyone’s areas of temptation are the same. A book that is healthy for one person may be harmful for another. And vice versa. When you’re honest about your personal strengths and weaknesses you will be in a better place to judge if a book will be helpful for you.
  • Be honest about your peers. Or whoever “they” represents in your life. Knowing the passions, values, and reading standards of the people who are recommending a book can be a valuable tool in assessing whether their recommendation will be a help or a hindrance in your life.
Hearing Them but Choosing for You

That’s the ultimate test at the end of the day.

We all care about the books “they” are reading. That’s part of being a reading human being!

We’ve all found some great books just because we couldn’t resist taking “their” advice.

But ultimately, while listening with grace and love, the choices we make are for us.

And God.

Have the courage to be honest. Have the courage to be unashamed.

And have the courage to choose the books that honour Him!

I’ve love to hear your personal tips for evaluating the books you hear other readers recommending. Just drop a comment in the section below.

Looking for more encouragement as a growing reader? See the first post in this series:

One of the striking things about growing up is that the author begins addressing the preface to you. And the words they write, for better or worse, are going to shape the girl you become. The Dear Reader series makes this rocky road a little easier.

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