(no subject)

[darchildre]

Whenever a library patron tells me, "I'm reading a book you would really like," I always tell them that I will put it on my list and I look it up after they've left. 9 times out of 10, it is something that is the precise opposite of stuff I like - not bad, just very much not my thing - and I always want to ask them what on earth it is about me that led them to believe I would like this particular book.

Today's example is Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, which is probably a fine book, but not something I am probably ever going to read.

(What people actually mean is, "I'm reading a book that I really like, and therefore everyone else will too." While I am very happy that you like your book, this thought is not accurate.)

Comments

[corvidology]

You're exactly right about what strangers mean when they say that.

[silveradept]

That is generally the case, yes. The people coming into the library assume that our tastes are the same as theirs because we listen to them talk about their tastes.

(Our tastes are usually not their tastes.)

[roadmagician]

Book recs is just one of those things that I find is SO individual... maybe it's just me, but music recs? Okay. Fic recs? Okay. But trying to suggest books to others (or for others to suggest them for me) just doesn't work.


I have a friend like this who, while I love and respect her, she has *very* different tastes in books to me. Her recs just don't work lol.

[frenchroast]

I feel like TV show recs are the same. My mom and brother just do NOT get that just because they love a show, that doesn't mean I will. Often, it means that I *won't* like it.

Whenever I make a book or TV show rec, I try to keep in mind what the other person actually reads/watches, not just what I like. But I don't think a lot of people make that effort.