Tuesday, August 19, 2008

An Unwanted Recommendation

I'm a reader.

And because of this, I often receive unsolicited book recommendations.

For the most part, I LOVE this. It's always interesting to me to know what other people are reading, or what authors people love. I feel I learn much more about a person by what they read, than by what they do.

But, sometimes, it puts me in a pickle.

Case in point: A couple of months ago my ex officemate, (the one who had no idea where to find Louisiana on a map), loaned me a book. It’s her favorite, and she asks me almost every day if I’ve started reading it.

I haven’t. And I’m running out of excuses.

It’s not that it’s some random book that’s hard to understand. It’s not. The book is by a VERY popular author (which I won’t name as to not offend those of you who like him/her). It’s just not my style. I find this author’s stuff too jejune*. You know?

But, I’m not sure how to tell her that without hurting her feelings or worse yet, make her think that I think she’s a dumbo for reading it. I don’t. I think it’s fantastic that she’s found an author she likes. She’d be the first to admit that she’s not a reader, so this is a big thing for her: to have a favorite author! And she was so excited to have a book to recommend to me.

I’m happy for her. (And for the example she’s setting for her kids.) And I want to support her.

So, I’m going to have to read it, aren’t I?

Yep. I know.




*This is one of my favorite words, and I never use it because it sounds pretentious. But, it’s so perfect! Forgive me.

15 comments:

rachelsaysso said...

here is what I have done and it has worked moderately well. I leave it on their desk while they're away from it with a note that says, "I won't be able to get to this book for months and I've already held onto it for too long. I'll let you know when I can get to it. Thanks for lending it to me. xoxo, your book buddy."
It is the coward's way out but it is better then reading it, hating it, and they having to lie about it to spare her feelings. Trust me, I've been there.

And jejune is one of my favorite "Too pretentious for normal conversation words" too. Can you email the name of the book? I'm dying to know. I won't get offended if I love it and you don't.

Unknown said...

i'm with rachel i WANT to know so badly!!! and she gave great advice by the way!!

Wendy said...

You have to say what the book is! I won't be offended if I like the author and you don't - after all, I'm the only person on the planet, apparently, that doesn't like those Vampire books and no one has stopped speaking to me yet.

Amanda said...

Ok, ok, I'm going to guess.
Nora Roberts or Nicolas Sparks???
I've actually never read anything by either author, so maybe I'm way off the mark, but I have an aversion to both of them, so thought I might take a guess.

Amanda said...

P.S. on my comment. My visiting teacher lent me a book (unrequested) about anecdotes of school children. She gave it to me as my year from hell was ending and I've just waited until she told me that she needed it back to lend to someone else. I just told her that I had such a long list of books that I'm meaning to read, that I didn't get to it. I like Rachel's idea of avoidance!

Laura said...

I agree, you have to tell. But I will be offended if it's someone I like - just kidding! It's been very well established that I'm not in the same reading class as the rest of you!

I very rarely recommend books to anyone (unless they specifically ask) for this very reason. I don't want people to feel pressure like they have to like it.

Anyway, I demand to know what the book is!

Unknown said...

I think you should post what the book is here on the comments and anyone who goes past THIS comment agrees they won't be offended in ANY way by your spilling the beans!
come on do it!! do it!!!
hehe!
and hey if you DO tell us maybe someone has already read it and they can give you brief clif notes on it and you can totally tell with confidence the girl your opinion one way or another.. just a thought (and another ploy to get you to TELL us what it was!)

Laura said...

So...are you going to tell us or not? I think the people have spoken. And I know you're getting these comments in your email inbox, so don't try to ignore us all! The suspense is KILLING me!

Liz the Poet said...

Okay, okay, I'll tell you!

Amanda was right with her male choice! Good guess!(Oh, and thanks for calling, Amanda. I loved chatting with you!)

And I've decided I'm going to read it for sure. It's not one that they've made a movie out of yet, so I can't cheat.(Although, now that I think about it, I haven't seen any of the movies based on any of his other books, anyway. So, it doesn't really matter...)

Besides, she wants to talk about it. And she doesn't have any reading friends, so I'm all she's got. And it's not like I think he's a horrible writer. I just feel he's over-exposed. So he doesn't interest me.

(Which is also why I also haven't read Harry Potter, or the Twilight series. I know, I know. Don't lecture me. I get enough of that from my family...)

I'll let you know what I think about the book when I'm done. It might surprise me!

Fingers crossed...

Oh, and if you want to know the specific book, it's "The Choice."

Laura said...

Thank you! I do like Nicolas Sparks. I think I've read all of them - except this one! Yes, they're cheesy. Yes, they're all very similar. Yes, they are easy to read and entertaining, and that's why I read them!

And you haven't see The Notebook or A Walk to Remember? We need a serious girls night if you haven't!

Liz the Poet said...

Nope,Laura, I haven't seen them. We DO need a girls night!

Sheba's Mommy said...

It sounds like you're going to maybe have to give the book a chance. Maybe it won't be so bad? Well, of coarse it's your call. :) Thanks for adding me to your list! By the way, can you tell me how to add peoples links to my own blogspot? I am having a hard time figuring that out. hehe

Sheba's Mommy said...

Thank you Liz! I will do that...I hope you don't mind my asking one more question...first of all, I'm trying to add a "counter" code to my blog, but I can't figure out where I'm supposed to put the code in, I hope you don't think I'm a computer dummy. hehe Thanks for the help!

Sheba's Mommy said...

Thanks sweetie for your help! You're awesome!

Heather said...

I completely agree with you; I have very little interest in anything that is over-exposed. And I havent read Harry Potter, or the Twilight series either...and I really have no intention of doing it. And anyone who tells me it is the best book they've ever read, probably doesnt realize that I've already stopped listening to them, and am instead imagining that a there is a vampire standing behind them in attack stance. "I vont, tu suck, 'ur blood."
PS--Rachel's brilliant.