tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post4251275261395778139..comments2023-10-31T13:07:05.461+00:00Comments on Park Benches & Bookends: Reading Dilemma N'2Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08861424110678889637noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-24161346780666260102010-08-23T10:53:29.372+01:002010-08-23T10:53:29.372+01:00@ Kathy: No, unfortunately I didn't write that...@ Kathy: No, unfortunately I didn't write that article but I'm thinking of legal action for stealing my idea! ;o)<br /><br />Thanks for posting the link!<br /><br />ChrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-27029263879186605782010-08-23T00:47:53.614+01:002010-08-23T00:47:53.614+01:00Ha! Did you write this article?
http://www.guardi...Ha! Did you write this article?<br /><br />http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/aug/18/book-recommendations-go-wrong<br /><br />Or do you think the writer got the idea from your blog?? ;)Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15867744753830511111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-63131107848581633152010-08-14T17:52:35.769+01:002010-08-14T17:52:35.769+01:00That's hilarious! We all have different tastes...That's hilarious! We all have different tastes in books and sometimes even recommendations from our closest and dearest friends won't fly. My best friend suggested that I read Everything is Illuminated (she loved it) but when I read it, I couldn't wait for it to be over. Oh, well... I think the world would be a very dull place if we all loved the same books, right? Regardless, sometimes we just have to put our foot down and say "no thank you, but the suggestion is much appreciated!"theliterarylollipopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-71951470366883839422010-08-09T12:09:01.132+01:002010-08-09T12:09:01.132+01:00I'm the same way about Christian fiction...not...I'm the same way about Christian fiction...not really my thing. Incidentally, not my mom's either. One of her co-workers gave The Shack to her LAST August as a birthday gift and she still hasn't read it!<br /><br />This kind of thing happened to me once. My husband's uncle was just over the moon for this book called Cryptonomicon (may have misspelled it). I think it's by Neal Stephenson. Anyway, he loaned it to me and I, like you, did not want to borrow it! Number 1, it was a mass market PB...I hate reading those. Just a weird quirk of mine. Second, I could NOT get into it. Let me just say that I didn't get very far before I abandoned it. I had the book so long that he asked for it back. When I told him I didn't finish it, I think the respect for me diminished in his eyes. Oh well...to each his own. People just can't expect everyone to like all books the same. <br /><br />These situations are definitely awkward. The only solution would be, if a co-worker approaches you and says, "I know you like to read," You would have to say, No, sorry, I do not read anymore." Then you just couldn't be seen with a book or reading at work. I don't know if it would be worth it!Michelle Stockard Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03572227726980569386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-40204759444129376222010-08-08T16:27:43.967+01:002010-08-08T16:27:43.967+01:00@ Kathy: I'd love to do that but in my particu...@ Kathy: I'd love to do that but in my particular job its not a good idea :o) I saw my colleague again today and he didn't mention it so I might be all clear (for now!)<br /><br />@ Bookishbarney: That sounds like hell, at least with a friend you can be firm with them and explain your position but the last thing you want to do running a business is upset or annoy a customer, you have my sympathies!<br /><br />@ Kim: I'll post about the situation again when it is resolved. The more I think about the impending read (i've nearly finished Jurassic Park) the more tempted I am to follow Amanda's advice and look up the synopsis somewhere and pretend i've read it! It doesn't sound like my cup of tea at all...<br /><br />@ Zara: I know what you mean, I can't see myself enjoying Christian fiction. Although I am a Christian I don't like Christian music or movies so I'm almost certain a book will be no different. My colleague and I disagree on some spiritual matters, we always disagree respectfully but we disagree none-the-less and I am afraid he thinks if I read this miracle book I will come around to his way of thinking...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-69049595534633573562010-08-07T08:19:27.089+01:002010-08-07T08:19:27.089+01:00Oh, I know just how you feel...it just makes me cr...Oh, I know just how you feel...it just makes me cringe when that kind of thing happens. And I'm the same way with Christian fiction - I'm a Christian, but it's just not my genre. However, I live in America's Bible Belt, and several people have insisted that I would absolutely love The Shack and that it would become one of my favorites. Umm, no thanks?Zarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351228605553052771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-50758716777450533102010-08-07T00:57:58.041+01:002010-08-07T00:57:58.041+01:00(I loved this post, BTW) I've read it. Even ...(I loved this post, BTW) I've read it. Even though I am very grounded in my religious beliefs, I was fair and open minded when reading it as someone picked it for a book club choice.<br /><br />Verdict: don't bother. For people who are "searching" there are a few nuggets of gold, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it with such enthusiasm. An awkward situation. Good luck with that! :) I'll be waiting to see how you handled it.Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09870662298657958483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-80541539344272646802010-08-06T23:57:59.008+01:002010-08-06T23:57:59.008+01:00Ohhhhh, my sympathies... It's bad enough when ...Ohhhhh, my sympathies... It's bad enough when friends do it, but now we're running a bookshop I get customers doing it too! They don't even KNOW me, but recommend all sorts of books, mostly that I don't want to read, then they ask me if I've READ the bloody thing every time they come in!Elliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246472269477492583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-53944480123150087232010-08-06T23:06:19.611+01:002010-08-06T23:06:19.611+01:00Hey, I have an idea. Get a big blank label, write ...Hey, I have an idea. Get a big blank label, write "I HAVE NOT READ THE BOOK YET" on it with a black marker, stick it to your forehead and wear it to work! Problem solved. Temporarily, anyway. Though it may create new problems for you, depending on where you work . . .Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15867744753830511111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-71179999737512448412010-08-06T18:12:45.022+01:002010-08-06T18:12:45.022+01:00@ La Coccinelle: I've borrowed books from frie...@ La Coccinelle: I've borrowed books from friends before but there has never been any pressure to read the book quickly, I've certainly never been asked to drop the book I was reading in order to read a different book! I haven't seen my colleague for two days but I know when I see him tomorrow the first thing he will say is "Have you read it yet?" I'm dreading it! I am really enjoying Jurassic Park, it could get 5 stars at this rate but plenty of time for me to change my mind...!<br /><br />@ Chris: If he had offered the book for me to borrow for an indefinate period there would have been no problem, it's the demands he made that really shocked me and certainly did make me uncomfortable!<br /><br />@ Kathy: Despite being a New York Times best seller you'd be surprised how many people have been underwhelmed by it. I've read quite a few negative reviews and by the sound of it I shall be adding to them! I'm afraid I must confess I had never heard of Henry Miller when I read your comment but Jessica knows who he is and found your comment very funny! :o) I am certain the next book he has lined up will be similar to The Shack, I'll keep you posted!<br /><br />@ Marieke: If he just gave me the book and said "Read it when you get the chance" it wouldn't be an issue but he is so intense about it its a real pain.<br /><br />@ Amanda: Thats not a bad idea but I'll probably end up actually reading it for two reasons;<br />1) I'm not very good at lying and don't like doing it<br />2) He undoubtedly wants to discuss the book in-depth with me and if I haven't read it he will probably notice and get really upsetAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-53719147490162672802010-08-06T16:39:02.057+01:002010-08-06T16:39:02.057+01:00Why not just read a few reviews/summaries and then...Why not just read a few reviews/summaries and then in about a week lie and said you read it and give it back to him? Sounds to me like you're not exactly buddy-buddies with the guy anyway, so why bother actually reading it?Amandahttp://opinionsofawolf.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-90207322748345346272010-08-06T09:48:41.151+01:002010-08-06T09:48:41.151+01:00He asked you if you'd read it yet, two DAYS la...He asked you if you'd read it yet, two DAYS later!?! Oh dear... I'm glad my friends aren't that pushy. I usually wait at least two years before reading recommendations.Mariekehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13251172733432029106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-79564801699266829412010-08-06T00:00:12.571+01:002010-08-06T00:00:12.571+01:00Too funny! I enjoyed reading your very vivid descr...Too funny! I enjoyed reading your very vivid description. <br /><br />I have read <i>The Shack</i>. I think I may be the only person in the world who was underwhelmed by it. Everyone else I know who read it responded just the way your friend did--it was THE BEST BOOK EVER and it CHANGED THEIR LIVES. I guess I just couldn't get past the faulty theology. But I have two things to say that may help you: It's short (so it goes by quickly), and it isn't boring. It even has a bit of mystery wrapped up in it. <br /><br />Here's an idea: borrow the book (after you finish <i>Jurassic Park</i>, of course!) and simultaneously loan your friend something by Henry Miller. Maybe that will curtail the forced book-borrowings from now on. <br /><br />I'm dying to know which book your friend has lined up for you next . . . I'm wondering if it's something like <i>The Five People You Meet in Heaven</i>.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15867744753830511111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-72564922505465804632010-08-05T23:43:26.100+01:002010-08-05T23:43:26.100+01:00It's always an uncomfortable moment, isn't...It's always an uncomfortable moment, isn't it? Luckily, my family passes so many books around no one knows where they're going or when they will be back. It's a lot less pressure.Chrisbookaramahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11972547663609480210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3694427406934260419.post-75898288248370101792010-08-05T23:14:54.025+01:002010-08-05T23:14:54.025+01:00LOL!
I've heard about this book but it doesn&...LOL!<br /><br />I've heard about this book but it doesn't sound like my cup of tea (the few Christian fiction novels I've read -- by accident -- have done nothing to recommend the genre to me at all). It is annoying when people want you to drop everything and read some book that changed <i>their</i> life, assuming that it will have the same effect on you. Whether that's an actual reading dilemma or just a problem of ignorance and pushiness is another question...<br /><br />How are you enjoying <i>Jurassic Park</i>? I thought it was pretty good. The sequel is good, too (and far better than the movie), but I won't officially recommend it to you; I'm sure you have enough in your TBR pile already!La Coccinellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03118313017081994087noreply@blogger.com