It's Musing Monday , and this week's question is:
We were all warned as children to 'never talk to strangers', but how do you feel about book-talk with random people? When you see people reading, do you ask what it is? Do you talk to people in the book store or the library? Why or why not? What do you do if people talk to you?
I LOVE talking to people about books, so if I see someone with a book in their hands, or browsing in a bookshop, I’ll often comment or ask about the book. However, it is important to be mindful of the person’s privacy. If they are absorbed in a book, do they really want you to interrupt them to chat about the story? My rule of thumb is that if the person makes eye contact, I’ll try an opening comment and see if they want to chat, but if their nose is firmly buried and their eyes are not leaving the page, I’ll take it as a sign that they just want to read.
As for talking to strangers – well, yes, my mum taught me that, too. But talking to a fellow booklover doesn’t feel like talking to a stranger. And, as a reviewer, teacher, and author, it’s my job to talk about books – so I do it.
I LOVE talking to people about books, so if I see someone with a book in their hands, or browsing in a bookshop, I’ll often comment or ask about the book. However, it is important to be mindful of the person’s privacy. If they are absorbed in a book, do they really want you to interrupt them to chat about the story? My rule of thumb is that if the person makes eye contact, I’ll try an opening comment and see if they want to chat, but if their nose is firmly buried and their eyes are not leaving the page, I’ll take it as a sign that they just want to read.
As for talking to strangers – well, yes, my mum taught me that, too. But talking to a fellow booklover doesn’t feel like talking to a stranger. And, as a reviewer, teacher, and author, it’s my job to talk about books – so I do it.
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It really depends on the situation for me. If I'm at a bookstore and someone grabs a book I've read, I don't mind chatting about it. That's definitely a good rule of thumb - if someone is reading, don't bother them unless they make eye contact.
ReplyDeleteI find that anyone standing browsing in the children's section is always pleased when I start up a conversation and admit that I am a book reviewer, author and mother of teenage and primary school boys. They are really keen to get a second opinion to help with their decision making.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, welcome to your first Musing Monday!
ReplyDeleteI would certainly respond to someone in a bookstore or library with a question about a book...but quite honestly, I would never start a conversation with them first. nope...lol
I think your code of how to decide who to talk to is a good one! Very respectful and polite.
ReplyDeleteI agree w/you on the eye contact. It's a great opening. Congrats on your first Musing Monday :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to musing mondays! I agree with your code. Very nice. My post is up now.
ReplyDeletehere
As much as I would want to know why the book was so interesting, I would not interrupt them reading. I'd just spy the title and check it out myself.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. It's wrong, wrong, wrong to interupt someone while they're reading! It's like butting into a conversation, uninvited, and starting a new one.
ReplyDeleteWelcome on your first Musing Monday! Hope to see you back next week :)
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