The Next Best Book Club discussion
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Book Talks With Strangers...
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I used to think that they just didn't like to be interrupted while reading. Maybe they were at a really good part of the story and I ruined their concentration (I hate when that happens to me!), but then I stopped poking my nose in WHILE someone is actively reading, and started only commenting if I see someone carrying a book I like or if I see someone maybe looking at a book in order to buy it, etc.
This doesn't really help. I don't know what it is! If I was looking at a book, and was torn as to whether to buy it or not, I would want someone to say "Oh, that is the best book I've read this year!" or "Don't bother with that unless you want to be banging your head off the wall 20 pages in!"
Other people just don't seem to want any input or opinion... Or maybe they just don't feel up to an intellectual conversation regarding a book. Or maybe they aren't even reading it, but carry it around to LOOK intellectual or chic or something... Haha, I don't know.
I just want to have a conversation, I'm not asking for a first born child or anything... yet. ;)

I've had a few people comment on books I've been reading on public transport, and I love it! Particularly while reading A Suitable Boy, actually; three women on three separate occasions patted me on the shoulder and did the whole 'excuse me, I don't mean to bother you, but I LOVE THAT BOOK!' thing. One of those incidents ended up in a whole tram-ride-home conversation about India, travelling and books. It was wonderful! I often regret not having .. asked for her number or something. I don't know what the appropriate etiquette is in situations like that. But it was lovely!

When I'm reading I get so involved that I lose my sense of where I am. If someone speaks to me, it takes a few seconds to come back to earth, and mostly I'm thinking "can't you see I'm reading? Buzz off!"
Cranky, aren't I? I'd love to have a random act of book talk every now and again, but no one talks to strangers much here. Don't think many people read, either!!

I try not to interrupt people in public or strike up conversations if I see them reading a familiar book because people tend to be rude or give strange looks. I realize that not everyone is as passionate as me or my fellow TNNBCers.



I love talking about books with anyone--whether it's someone I know or not.
I was in Las Vegas airport about 2 weeks ago, and I saw a woman carrying a book that I had been wanting to read, and I asked her how she was enjoying it. We ended up talking the entire layover!
I'm a pretty shy person--but I love reading so much and I always feel compelled to talk about books with other people!

I always debate on whether or not I should say something to someone..i think for me..if they look friendly and approachable i will..and i wait to see their response to figure out whether we will keep talking or if that was just my one comment.
Does anyone else have this problem too? Please share!