Question of the Week Jun 9-21, 2023

[Cheryl]

Gifts for readers?

Has anyone ever gifted you a book that turned out to be terrific?

[Cheryl]

I'm picky, so I would tell people to look at my wishlist, or maybe gift me a tea selection or slippers. I can't imagine anyone just knowing me well enough to go choose a book for me. But it sure would be fun to be surprised!

[Samantha]

It usually takes me a long time to read a book someone gifts me if it isn't something I was previously aware of. Sometimes I never get around to it. My cousin bought me Of Mice and Men for a birthday and it took me something like 10 years to read it.

However, when people I'm close to buy me a book they recommend, I'll definitely check it out because it feels like I'll be exposed to a little part of them as well as the actual story.

On the other hand, I often buy friends books or children of friends because I am a more prolific reader than most of them and feel I have a good grasp on what they will like. Maybe that is only wishful thinking on my part.

[Lizz]

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman was a gift from a friend for Christmas and I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. I loaned it back to her to read since she hadn't even read it yet.

[Julie]

A friend gave me "The 7 1 /2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle." What an amazing, wild ride. Loved it and would recommend it.

[Cheryl]

Samantha wrote: "...However, when people I'm close to buy me a book they recommend, I'll definitely check it out because it feels like I'll be exposed to a little part of them as well as the actual story...."

Good point! There's a difference between a gift that is "here's something I enjoyed and I hope you do too" and "here's something I think you might like, did I do good?" I like it when my mother reads something and then recommends it to me, even if it's something I'd not pick up on my own.

Lizz, Julie, those friends are keepers, eh!
The Graveyard Book
The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle