I love being a book nerd, I really do. I love being a writer and an English major. What I'm less fond of is the stereotype of arrogance that comes with those things.

For instance: "the book was better." It's a simple, harmless phrase that gets echoed over and over again by bibliophiles. For a long time, I would agree. I was 11 years old when the movie* "Inkheart" came out and I cried in the bathroom afterwards because they "ruined the ending." I still stand by that, I do.

However, I think there's a history behind that phrase. What you're often saying when you tell someone that the book was better is that you knew about the original work first, which makes you better. Even if that's not what you mean, repeating that until it becomes a mantra is a surefire way to sound elitist.

The book is not always better. Even despite the controversy the show has created in the last season, "The 100" TV show is infinitely better than the books in my opinion. It lacks many of the annoying romantic cliches, includes a more diverse cast, and is just more interesting to watch than it was to read.

Then there are TV shows and movies than are simply just a different story all together. My favorite movie, "Howl's Moving Castle" is nothing like the Diana Wynne Jones book, but I enjoy both equally. Sometimes I even relish in annoying people with facts about the differences between the two. I've never felt offended by the movie for being different than the book, and I don't dislike the book for not including some of the best scenes from the movie.

If you watch a movie before you know it's a book, there's a better chance that you'll enjoy the movie and the book equally, but if you read the book first you probably will miss out on the movie's excellence. Even fans of "Harry Potter," who got what was largely a great adaptation, can recall the infamous mix up of Dumbledore's reaction in "The Goblet of Fire" and the absence of Peeves.

So where is the line drawn?

Well, first, remember that it is a matter of opinion. You can love the book, but ask yourself if you really enjoyed the book that much more, or if you just like riling people up by telling them that the book is better. Remember that what you see in the book (your imagination, that is) is not always the canon. Remember that it is a matter of chance; so many movies are based on books that I know I've never even heard of before. Don't be disappointed if like doesn't have that person read the book first. It is OK, honestly.

Next time you want to say "the book was better," try approaching it from a different direction. Maybe be more specific about what you preferred, or what you missed out in the movie. Or, even, try talking about what you liked about the movie next time!

It's all fun and games to say "the book was better," and I agree so much of the time, but I realize also that it sounds just a little pretentious sometimes.

Go out and enjoy a movie, or a book, or both!

*Movie and tv show are interchangeable in this article.