Tiny Books (pocket-sized books, zines, and other little phone-shaped literary artifacts) have allowed me to read during social interludes without feeling weird about it. Someone gave me a pocket-sized copy of "Writing Down the Bones" last year, and it's only a little smaller than my phone, so, at a glance, it's inconspicuous! Now I'm in the habit of carrying A Tiny Book. So far, Tiny Books haven't induced any scoffs or eye rolls from those around me (just the occasional "Is that a... book?"). I guess that, because they're little and cute, Tiny Books don't look too scholarly or serious, so when I'm reading them, I look only *slightly* more engaged than I would look if I were opening/reopening Instagram. Like, how seriously can you take someone reading a book made for an American Girl Doll?
I just wrote about the same topic! I remember finding myself at a gig, waiting for my friend to go and get drinks. I was alone, holding both of our coats. I resisted getting my phone out because I wanted to convince myself I had nothing to be ashamed about, standing here by myself, looking nervously around, holding two massive winter coats. Turned out to be more solitary than expected. It seems that using our phones in public places when alone is to obey the imaginary rule that staring at the environment that surrounds you whilst being by yourself is looking stupid. We should all defy that rule.
Tiny Books (pocket-sized books, zines, and other little phone-shaped literary artifacts) have allowed me to read during social interludes without feeling weird about it. Someone gave me a pocket-sized copy of "Writing Down the Bones" last year, and it's only a little smaller than my phone, so, at a glance, it's inconspicuous! Now I'm in the habit of carrying A Tiny Book. So far, Tiny Books haven't induced any scoffs or eye rolls from those around me (just the occasional "Is that a... book?"). I guess that, because they're little and cute, Tiny Books don't look too scholarly or serious, so when I'm reading them, I look only *slightly* more engaged than I would look if I were opening/reopening Instagram. Like, how seriously can you take someone reading a book made for an American Girl Doll?
I just wrote about the same topic! I remember finding myself at a gig, waiting for my friend to go and get drinks. I was alone, holding both of our coats. I resisted getting my phone out because I wanted to convince myself I had nothing to be ashamed about, standing here by myself, looking nervously around, holding two massive winter coats. Turned out to be more solitary than expected. It seems that using our phones in public places when alone is to obey the imaginary rule that staring at the environment that surrounds you whilst being by yourself is looking stupid. We should all defy that rule.