“Reading” in the gay community, specifically ballroom culture, is the act of insulting someone in a sneaky underhanded yet jestful way. In tradition of the documentary “Paris is Burning” which focuses on the ballroom scene in New York, Rupaul’s Drag Race features a reading challenge where queens take the opportunity to let our frustration and negativity by reading each other. These are the top five reads of the “Reading Challenges” of Rupaul’s Drag Race. “The library is open.”

5. To Carmen Carrera “Honey just go jump in the ocean. Silicone floats.” Shangela Laquifa Wadley, Season 3

Carmen Carrera was a queen known for her “synthetic” beauty. Dancer and funny girl Shangela pulls this read seemingly from nowhere and rips Carmen a new one.

4. “Jiggly dear come to mother dust… Here’s My dentist card use it.” Chad Michaels Season 4

In this read Chad Michaels uses her reputation as the mother of the season to let Jiggly have it. Jiggly whose teeth were notoriously crooked must have called that dentist as her teeth now look flawless.

3. “Adore Delano I’m going to say this very slowly so you can understand… You’re dumb” Darienne Lake Season 6

Adore Delano was one of the youngest queens of the season and through many verbal blunders and a carefree attitude she earned the reputation of dumbest queen that season. Darienne as the oldest queen of the season let’s her have it for her youthful ignorance. Adore later claims in her Song “I Look F****n Cool” that she was “Playin’ dumb and winnin’” as she went on to be top 3 of the season.

2. “Adore Delano, these other girls are gonna say ‘you have terrible make up skills, you have no fashion sense, and you’re dumb as a rock.’ But they’re wrong. You don’t have terrible makeup skills.” Alaska 5000, Allstars 2.

Another rip on Adore, Alaska reads her to filth in their Allstars 2 reading challenge. In addition to taking a swing at her intelligence she also come for her fashion which is often criticized for being to basic and not nearly glamorous enough. Adore describes her style as chola banjee realness.

1. Miss Tyra… was your barbecue cancelled. Your grill is F****d up!” Jujubee Season 2

Jujubee is notorious for her hilarious one-liners and funny retorts. Tyra Sanchez, who ended up being one of the least respected winners, was known for her bad attitude and her messed up teeth. This challenge allowed the queens to take a shot at Tyra without being mean. This read is clever and classic and clearly belongs at the top of this list.
Reading is a skill that a queen needs to have a career beyond lipsyncing a performing. Reading makes a girl likeable and funny; these queens show anyone thinking of coming for them to, in the words of Naomi Smalls (season 8), “Check ya’ lipstick” first. The library is officially closed.