Friday 16 April 2010

Discussion: What Book Could You Recommend To a Stranger?

I frequent the book stores. I'm pretty sure some of the employee's at Waterstone's think I'm a stalker. I'm forever perusing the shelves looking for something that calls to me.

Sometimes I just can't help but recommend a book to a stranger near me. If I'm in the Young Adult section and I see a mom and daughter trying to find something, I just can't help speaking up and letting them know about a great book I think they would like. Some of my recommendations have been: Wings by Aprilynne Pike, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Knife by RJ Anderson.

I can't help it. Is that too personal? Probably. I can't help it though. I want them to pick something GOOD! No one has yet to be offended, they tell me I should work there. I think they should tell the manager that.

So have you ever recommended a book to a stranger? What book was it? Has someone been lurking near one of your favorites and you're afraid they will skip by it, so you just HAVE to tell them about it??

I may be the only personal space invading non-employee....but I'm hoping I'm not.

13 comments:

  1. I always recommend books to people. But most of my friends and family don't like the same sort I do. So I stranger would be ideal. I would recommend the Mary Janice Davidson Undead series, the Twilight series and Practical Magic. I don't think you are a stalker, I think that is sweet you help strangers :) Great post xx

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  2. I've yet to recommend These is My Words by Nancy Turner, my favorite book of all time.

    I've been unable to find it in the UK so I haven't had the chance to talk about it to a stranger yet, but I'm just waiting for the right chance!

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  3. Book stalker? I love that :)

    I always want to recommend books, but I'm afraid to.

    You go girl!

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  4. I just recently recommended Hunger Games to two boys in a local book store. They didn't get it though. The older boy obviously wanted the younger one to get his recommendation so mine was poo-poo'd. Silly boys.

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  5. I love that, lol. When book reps are there giving me there thoughts I am recommending books right back to them :-)

    Right now my push is Still Alice by Lisa Genova and the Verse novels by Lisa Schroever.

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  6. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is one I've recommended. For me, it depends on what they're looking at usually. But I every once in awhile butt in, too. :) I sometimes wish someone would do it for me!

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  7. I always do that at my local bookstore and I'm glad to know I'm that does it!

    I usually try to get a feel for the person and their "type" of books before I recommend anything to them. But I usually just spout out a couple of my favs like Such a Pretty Girl, Willow, Purge, The Hunger Games, Vampire Academy series, Graceling and Fire, Darkest Powers series and several more.

    They always seem appreciative of the suggestions and a few have even bought them! But I find it fun to try and help someone find a new good book to read.

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  8. Ha ha, Yes. I think I've done that once. Amazingly enough I get really shy to tell people 'That's a brilliant book'

    Usually I just look at their shoes,(My way of seeing what kind of person they are) then smile whenever they find a good book.

    A couple of times I've had older woman asking me if they'd think this book would be good for their grandaughters. But that's it really.

    I love Wings, great pick. I think all ya girls should read it if their into a cool fantasty :)

    Brill post, great idea.

    Zoë xoxo

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  9. I think it's great to do that! I would probably be too shy to actually recommend a book to someone, but it's a good thing to be able to do.

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  10. I recommend books, when I'm in the bookstore if someone is considering a book I've read I always pipe up and tell them what I think. I'd like to think they appreciate the input, but maybe they just think I'm some weirdo ;)

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  11. I usually don't recommend books to strangers, but I have helped people find books occasionally. I'd love to recommend books to people, but I'm way too shy to do it. Plus, since I'm a 24 year old male and occasionally forget to shave, I feel like a creeper sometimes, lol. Not the best way to recommend books. :P That's very cool that you do though.

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  12. Great post! I have never recommended a book to a stranger. I don't think I could either unless I was asked or I worked in a bookstore. Most people would probably think I'm a nutcase! lol

    I love that you're able to though b/c I would love to get recommendations from strangers. Sometimes it's the best way to read a good book outside of your routine genre box.

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  13. BookChick, you're funny but I can see why people would be a bit creeped out to get a recommendation from you if you haven't shaved & just randomly walk up to someone.

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