What Is the Stranger on a Train Reading?
Sometimes while I'm riding the subway home, I'll happen to see a different commuter engrossed in a paperback. Since I get motion sickness, I don't like to read then.
But like many, I'm curious to learn what the title and who the author are. Would it be rude to peck them on the shoulder and ask? Or is it better to discreetly peek over when they tip up the front cover? Interrupting them is rude, of course, so I don't bother them.
Perhaps since readers seem to be becoming such a rarity, I'm amazed to see a paperback even out. What cheers me the most is when the reader is a YA. The future is in good hands, I think.
I've heard of folks leaving behind a book for the next reader to pick up and enjoy. Once when I was staying in Chicago, I found a Robert Coover title in the room, and I spent a few enjoyable hours. Afterward, I returned the book to its shelf for its next taker.
But like many, I'm curious to learn what the title and who the author are. Would it be rude to peck them on the shoulder and ask? Or is it better to discreetly peek over when they tip up the front cover? Interrupting them is rude, of course, so I don't bother them.
Perhaps since readers seem to be becoming such a rarity, I'm amazed to see a paperback even out. What cheers me the most is when the reader is a YA. The future is in good hands, I think.
I've heard of folks leaving behind a book for the next reader to pick up and enjoy. Once when I was staying in Chicago, I found a Robert Coover title in the room, and I spent a few enjoyable hours. Afterward, I returned the book to its shelf for its next taker.
date
newest »
newest »
I usually ask the person reading, but I live in a small city. You get funny looks if you are trying to peek. I leave my paperbacks in the motel room with a note for the maid or anyone who likes to read. I have been in a few motels who have book shelves holding the books left behind. There I give the books to the desk clerk telling him that I no longer need the book. They put them on the bookshelf for both staff and guests. That way I share with everybody.
I put books on the Nook that I will want to keep or refer back to. At home I donate finished books to the hospital for their book sales. Used to give them to the library but they don’t take them anymore.
Mary
If anyone wants to check out LJ's post, they need to delete the period at the end of the address for the link to work, or use this one:http://booksaremagic.blogspot.com/201...
I am ambivalent about the book-peeking thing: I do like to know what others are reading, and I keep an eye peeled with fellow public transport users, but I feel shy about their knowing what I am reading, which is easy since I got my ebook. Unfair, I know, but that's how it is.By the way, I came across the top bus-reader of the week just yesterday: the driver. The guy was reading in the the red lights and each time he pulled over to take/leave people... before the bus was totally still. It was awesome! Who says men cannot do two things at the same time?
My favorite was when I took BART to work all the time. I have a trade paperback in a fabric book cover to protect it. A man leaned over and said, with something of a smirk, "I'll bet your reading a bodice-ripper romance." It was my great pleasure to show him the inside cover and say "You'd be wrong. I'm reading "Why I am Not a Christian and Other Essays" by philosopher Bertrand Russell." He did look a bit embarrassed and rather slid away from me.
I think BookCrossings is a great idea. There are several baskets near me, and I contribute and borrow books without doing anything formal via their website.A few books that I've carried about in public have attracted a lot of questions/comments from passers-by ("The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo" especially). Then I remember one author telling me he walked through airport terminals holding his book out in front of himself so everybody would HAVE to look at it (his publicist's recommendation).
Sure, I'm curious when I see someone reading, but alas most of the time when I glimpse the title it's nothing that would inspire any kind of conversation. But, yes, glad to see people reading anything!
I loved having train or railroad time for reading. none of that here in Phoenix. A lot of co workers read, so I'm always looking at what they're reading. :)
Mary wrote: "I usually ask the person reading, but I live in a small city. You get funny looks if you are trying to peek. I leave my paperbacks in the motel room with a note for the maid or anyone who li..."
I've seen the book swaps in hotels like in Bermuda. Sounds like a good idea.
LJ wrote: "I love peeking to see what book others are reading. And yes, I have been known to ask. I love to share what I'm reading with others.I did belong to BookCrossings for awhile where you would leav..."
Cool idea. I don't Kindle. Maybe some day. Good luck on your job search.
Cracked Rearview Mirror
Enjoy reading my fiction? Subscribe to Ed Lynskey's Books Newsletter by notifying me of your interest at: e_lynskey@yahoo.com and I will add you to my newsletter list. Thank you.
...more
- Ed Lynskey's profile
- 2714 followers
I did belong to BookCrossings for awhile where you would leave book in places for people to find. The idea was to be able to follow each book as it had a registration number and the new owner would log in where they'd found the book and pass it on after reading. I do have a friend who travels a lot, particularly internationally. She stocks up on books before she leaves and, after finishing each book, leaves it behind for someone else.
When I received my Kindle, I was concerned because no longer would the individual book cover show. So, I developed my own way of promoting what I'm reading on my Kindle. If you're curious, you can see my solution at: http://booksaremagic.blogspot.com/201....