I ask this surprisingly serious question (not being in the mood for serious discussions lately) because I've seen here and on two other forums over the past few days several people making a comment along the lines of "I haven't heard of these books" when it comes to awards large (WFA) and small (here ).

I've always been one of those people who like to investigate those works I haven't read and I hear some mention of in awards finalist shortlists, but it seems to me that there are some that just pose that "I haven't heard of them" as a sort of "they aren't worthy of my attention," as if ignorance is not just bliss, but a privilege.

So I pose this question in regards to the books listed in the RAFO awards: If you haven't read them/are familiar with those authors' works, are you going to try and "read and find out," or are you just going to sit on your ass and complain whenever you see an awards shortlist because it doesn't contain what you've read?