Do you discuss books offline?

Terri2 · Post by **Terri2** » 26 Jan 2007, 12:34

The problem with discussing books offline is that when you read a book most likely none of your friends or coworkers have read the same book. Even if you want to tell them about a book you've read to discuss the ideas in it, most people aren't interested in having intellectual conversations. Do you also find that that is true?

How often do you discuss books offline in face-to-face conversations? Do you wish you could do it more?

kaytie · Post by **kaytie** » 26 Jan 2007, 12:43

It's always exciting to meet a person who (or find out a person I already know) has read a book I loved. It happens rarely to me, but I almost always become friends with that person.

And yes, around here (Southern California) I've found it difficult to find people interested in talking about anything intellectual. It's not that these people are stupid, it's that they're uninterested, and that can be frustrating.

finabean74 · Post by **finabean74** » 26 Jan 2007, 19:10

I have a circle of friends that share books, so we get to chat about books on a kinda distant level. There is usually too much time in between to get into a detailed discussion.

I am fortunate to have colleagues who I have a group with and we discuss weekly.

knightss · Post by **knightss** » 26 Jan 2007, 20:22

i talk to one of my friends about books. we usually go to borders and sit and read ever once in a while. i'm friends w/ some of the borders employees 2 lol so i usually talk to them about books also. but that's about it.

sleepydumpling · Post by **sleepydumpling** » 26 Jan 2007, 21:39

Well I am kind of spoiled in that sense, being a librarian and all. But you would be surprised at the number of library staff that actually don't read. As far as I'm concerned, a job in public libraries should have the pre-requisite that you're a reader.

Socially, I've not been so lucky. So I took the bull by the horns and started a book club (because I couldn't find a suitable one to join) about 12 months ago. I advertised on the Brisbane Writer's Festival website, and on the bulletin board for work (local government, not just the libraries). We've been running for just under a year now and have a great group of people that meets for a meal once a month and to discuss books - both the set title and others we've been reading. And I've started socialising outside of book club with them too.

Rebeca Darklight · Post by **Rebeca Darklight** » 04 Mar 2007, 03:16

kaytie wrote:It's always exciting to meet a person who (or find out a person I already know) has read a book I loved. It happens rarely to me, but I almost always become friends with that person.

And yes, around here (Southern California) I've found it difficult to find people interested in talking about anything intellectual. It's not that these people are stupid, it's that they're uninterested, and that can be frustrating.

Same happens to me! The few people I have met that have read and loved the same books I read and love are my friends now, but sadly the number is quite small and only a few have read more books than me, normally I'm the only bibliophile. People here doesn't read either, because they are uninterested too, and this is a city known for reading books. It makes me sad when I meet an intelligent person who doesn't read or doesn't like to read and I see that every day. So sad.

knightss · Post by **knightss** » 04 Mar 2007, 09:30

There is this one guy who comes into the stationery story and generally talks to me about the book the i'm reading that week.. then he usually recommends a book that i end up reading and we talk about it for like 20 minutes every sunday haha.

sleepydumpling · Post by **sleepydumpling** » 05 Mar 2007, 02:56

I'd love to have someone to have regular conversations like that with!

awelker · Post by **awelker** » 05 Mar 2007, 11:08

I tend to talk with my school librarian about what books are good and what not. she also suggests books that she thinks that i might like.

DeletedUser · Post by **DeletedUser** » 13 Mar 2007, 10:52

I have three bookworm friends. While we don't get together as often as I would like (we're spread out all over Atlanta), but when we do meet the topic invaribly centers around what everyone is reading. My friend J. is uber-intelligent and loves to read James Joyce, Henry James and Harold Bloom. Anything to do with history, literature and biographies he will read. My second friend R. loves sci-fi and adventure novels like James Rollins and Matthew Reilly and J.R.R. Tolkien. And last but not least I have a friend: A. who reads everything that comes her way. As long as it is fiction she'll read it. I like the fact that we all read different books, I learn a lot more that way. I pick up on new authors I never would have tried or learn something new or interesting. It seems to work out well for us.

Linda · Post by **Linda** » 13 Mar 2007, 13:24

i dont really discuss the books i read. i kindof just rather have my own impression of a book. if someone reccomended a book to me though i make sure to tell them that i enjoyed it if i liked it. i think everyone takes away something a little different from every story so i rather just have my own impression of what went on.

Literary Feline · Post by **Literary Feline** » 18 Mar 2007, 12:22

I work with several readers and while their reading tastes are more narrow than my own, I find I can talk with them at least about their reading interests. My parents and in-laws are all readers and we often talk about and share our books. Best of all, I'm married to a reader (although he's not quite as smitten with books as I am) and we are constantly talking about books. He even puts up with my talking to him about the books he'll never read.

CollegeReader · Post by **CollegeReader** » 02 Apr 2007, 19:53

When I find someone who enjoys discussing books or art with me, I am one happy girl!

I agree, though, that sometimes it is difficult to find someone who has read the same stuff you have, but just talking to a person who enjoys reading in general is so refreshing.

notrorygilmore · Post by **notrorygilmore** » 02 Apr 2007, 23:38

When I worked at the library I loved talking to people about books. I found every day to be an adventure because of it. Now I talk to my friends who enjoy reading as much as me, about books. I also tell my boyfriend all about them even though he's not much of a reader. There's a used bookstore in my town that I love to go to just because there is a man who works there who seems to know everything about every book written. I love discussing books with him.