Discussion Post | 5 Struggles of Being an Indian Reader- Part II

Hey everyone! Welcome or welcome back to my blog!

Back in September of 2021, I did a post titled 5 struggles of being an Indian reader, and here I am with part two! Click here to check part one out!

Let’s get straight into it!

1. ARCs being solely for US/UK citizens:
   I am a person who loves to read books before they’re out. Hence, I often request ARCs on Netgalley. But there are so many authors who for some reason don’t give out ARCs to international citizens- famous authors like Rachel Lynn Solomon! I understand if they’re giving out physical ARCs- shipping costs are high, but what’s the issue for e-ARCs? Why the discrimination?
   Elaborating on the above point, oftentimes, entire blog tours are reserved for US citizens only. And I am like, why, just why, what’s the reasoning?
   Even with physical ARCs, I understand the shipping cost issues, but part of me still feels angry when I see the US only tag.
   
2. We don’t have Tiktok:
   Look, Instagram reels are great. But there are so many booktoks and stuff I see on other platform, and you know, I feel the FOMO (I totally used it wrong, but oh well).
   
3. Oh, you want to enter a giveaway? But you don’t live in the US/UK
   The number of times I’ve wanted to enter a giveaway, because I am like- oh that’s a book I really want to read, and then I see, it’s just for US citizens. yay.
   
4. “Ah, you read English novels- Angrez (Britisher)”:
   Okay, look I love reading, and hence my grammar is better than some of my batchmates. I also often speak in English, since I am just more comfortable speaking in English with some people. Now, these other batchmates, see that, and go all, “Angrez.” You’ll be like, why’s that derogatory? It is, because the Britishers ruled India until 75 years ago, and it’s just considered a derogatory term.
   The thing is, that just because I read English novels, and speak in English half the time, and love the language (due to reading), I am not someone who stands for colonialism! So, just don’t call me Angrez!
   
   Also, a clarification, this is not a hate thing against British people, it’s just that even if I love other languages, and admire other cultures, I am still very much an Indian, and a person who admires her own language and culture too!
   
5. Having to tolerate terrible Indian rep in books:
   Okay, listen up folks. Holi isn’t the only Indian festival- there’s Diwali, Rakshabandhan, Uttarayan etc.
   Holi also isn’t the romantic festivals books paint it to be- every inch of our bodies is covered in colours mixed with sweat and water, and kissing then, is simply gross. Honestly, Uttarayan is a more romantic festival.
   This is just one example, but there are countless others!

Let me know in the comments if I missed out some point! Which point could you relate to the most?

P.S.- I haven’t covered the points I used in the first post. So, do check that one out too, since it’s a much better post!