I did not see this in the article, are you quoting something Amanda Marcotte said elsewhere?
Because if so I can flatly state that one of two things is either true, she is liar or the "yelling" happened when she was so absorbed in her book that she did not notice things that were happening around her and people wanted her to move out of their way.
Not an unreasonable desire on their part.
How do I know? Because I am older then her and I was (and still am) a first class book worm. From the time I was three I carried a book with me and had my nose stuck in it.
The only time I got push back was A. When I was blocking people's way, or B. When my mom told me I was not allowed to bring my book to the table but would sit, eat and converse with the family like a civilized person.