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Artist's Rendering of Rude Woman
I went to a booksigning this past Saturday. While I was sitting there smiling at Barnes & Noble customers and in between signing books, a lady walked in. She looked me up and down, and ignoring the stack of books with their very obvious romance covers beside me, she said, “what kind of books do you write?” I said, of course, “historical romances.” Then she asked, “are they clean?” I pondered this for a moment, both because they were brand new books and as such were very clean, and because I had a very good idea where this conversation was heading. Anyway, I said, “No.” She sneered at me, said, “that’s too bad, isn’t it?” and walked away.
Now. I could have said something about how Taming an Impossible Rogue was about two people who fall in love, save each other, and have a loving, supportive, monogamous and adult relationship. Ooo, how dirty. But clearly this woman wanted to say something snarky to someone, and she wasn’t going to like anything I had to say to her.
In other words, she probably wouldn’t have liked any book I recommended to her – and if I may, vice versa. On the other hand, when Karen Hawkins – who has never insulted me and who likes many of the same movies, TV shows, and books that I do – recommends a book to me, I purchase it. The lady at my dentist’s office who I’ve only ever seen filing and polishing her nails and chewing gum, not so much. Likewise the guy down the street who likes to tune his ATV’s at 3 a.m. and then ride them up and down the street. I don’t like him, so I certainly wouldn’t be inclined to listen to his book recommendations.
- Artist’s Rendering of ATV Guy
When Oprah used to have her book club, I knew to avoid those books. Not that I didn’t respect Oprah, but it didn’t take long to figure out that she tended not to select light-hearted reads with happy endings. Personally, I prefer to close a book feeling better than when I opened it.
Do you read a book based on someone else’s recommendations? Who are your best recommenders? And whether you’re friends or not, are there people whose idea of a good book doesn’t mesh with yours? Should I have pantsed that woman?
I would have said some things to that woman I wouldn’t have repeated in front of my nana, God bless her soul.
I don’t listen to people’s book recommendations unless the person really knows me, even if I like the person. i’m REALLY picky with what I read, and people tend to recommend what *they* like. I have a handful of people that will recommend to me things they thing *I* will like, to those, I will listen
But these are like: my mother, an author I’m friends with, and that’s about it. I’d listen to my brother, I’ll listen when he recommends me anything, but I don’t think he’s ever recommended me a book.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:42 am.
Family is usually pretty good for recs — at least they know your tastes better than anyone else.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:10 am.
Some of the best books I have read of late have come from recommendations from my daughter. She has eclectic reading tastes, so there is always something that looks good.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 4:00 am.
It’s because you raised her well, Mary!
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:11 am.
Suzanne, I am so sorry that that woman was a rude cow to you. Your books are amazing and obviously she is not evolved enough to appreciate your writing. The manager at my favourite bookshop asked me if I liked music (which I do) she suggested that I look up Jon Gomm with his song Passionfruit. I passed along the fact that you goddesses had done a blog about the Fifty Shades trilogy and erotica in general and this quite interested her. My personal opinion is that if you goddesses recommend it then it could be something that I will enjoy. With that woman, it’s best to just pity her because she doesn’t know what she’s missing obviously.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 4:51 am.
Aw, thanks, Kelly! I like it; pity the poor Neanderthal woman. *g*
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:13 am.
I would probably have said something nasty to that lady – but then I’m not in the situation where you found yourself.
Also, I only read books based on the blurb (and when I’m in a bookshop, I read both the beginning and the end). When I can avoid it, I never buy a book with a bad ending.
When someone like Teresa Medeiros recommends a book to me, then I’ll buy it straight away, though. Because I know we share more or less the same taste in books (and chocolate).
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 6:21 am.
I was tempted, Nickie, but I was wearing my Professional Me persona. *g* And I agree with you about Teresa Medeiros — she always recommends good reads.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:16 am.
I read recommendations that other people have made and then I’ll go search them out to see if it’s something I’ll read. I’ve discovered some new authors this way like Maya Banks. I’m also very picky about what I read too. Because I read so much I’m also always looking for new authors to read because my favorites just take too long to write. LOL. But to simply read something because someone has said “Here you’ll like this.” Not me because unless you know me you don’t know what type of books I like to read.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 6:52 am.
I like that you use the recommendations as a jumping-off point, aida. You are wise. *g*
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:19 am.
Some of my best recommenders are here on this blog! I will actually rush to my nook to purchase anything that Donna recommends to me, and periodically, I’ll shoot an email over to PJ to see what is new that she thinks I’ll like.
Guest bloggers have also been great. That’s how I got hooked on Sophia Nash, Kathryn Caskie, and Tessa Dare. I highly recommend all three, if you haven’t read them before! TD’s Three Nights with a Rogue is on my top 10 list.
I also won’t read an Oprah book, and I know to run screaming when some relatives on both sides tell me I should read a book. Especially when they tell me it’s a ‘real’ one.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 7:20 am.
We’re happy to hear it, cail! And oh, the dreaded “real” book. Snort.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:20 am.
I have bought a few books based on recommendations by Julia Quinn. I’ve liked all of them. Also, one of my librarians and I connected on Facebook on some author’s page. We happened to see each other’s comments. I thought it was kind of funny, since we’ve “known” her for about 3 years now. Anyway, she has great recommendations, and knows what kind of books I like to read. Bonus, she likes my kids.
I, too, avoid Oprah’s book list, for the same reason. My mother-in-law is always sending me books that I don’t like. I immediately tell her thank you, and go exchange them at the used book store for something I’ll read.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 7:23 am.
Kristina, I don’t think you can find a better book recommender than a librarian who likes your kids!
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:23 am.
First, I love the picture of the cat and I’m sure it is much nicer than that woman was. I probably would have told her, yes, I washed them myself. I will let anyone recommend a book and say thank you. I won’t necessarily buy the book though. My neighbor and I will recommend books to each other with great success. Had a friend who looked down her nose at romances. Wouldn’t read a Nora Roberts book if you paid her. Guess what she reads now.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 7:33 am.
The cat pic is my best recollection of how she looked, Sandi.
And I think your friend has a lot in common with a lot of other women — if she would simply read one, she would discover that they aren’t anything like she imagined.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:25 am.
Pantsing was definitely in order, IMO.
For the most part I don’t listen to recommendations because I so rarely like what other people recommend.
For instance, once my cousin, who rarely reads, raved and raved about a book. We are so similar, everyone insists we’re sisters. I figured “Hey if she loves it that much why not?” After I bought it I discovered it was an Oprah pick.
That’s why not! I’m the same as you. No thanks. I prefer happy reads. But I read it. And sure enough THE KID DIED. I think that was the last recommendation I took.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 7:42 am.
Pantsing would have been so easy, too, given that she was wearing sweat pants.
Yeah, a recommendation doesn’t count if it’s just a parrot of what someone else recced.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:27 am.
does anyone else think that cat looks a little like Yoda?
How good of you to bite your tongue, i believe i would have gotten very obnoxious if it was me at that table.
when an author i like recommends a book i tend to read it thinking if ‘YOU’ like it maybe the book will have the same feel as “your” books so I will like it.
I have one girlfriend who recommends the best smutty books and one guy friend who recommends great historical fiction.
But when all else fails a good cover picture can always draw me to a book. Then I just hope i like the description on back.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:06 am.
Hm, Yoda? Perhaps right you are, alyssa. *g*
Maybe you hit on why I like Karen’s recs, since we have a similar sense of humor.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:29 am.
I tend to stay away from books that make HUGE sensations, like the Oprah books, or The Hunger Games” stuff like that. Currently every one is recommending the Grey trilogy because I read romance/erotica yet based on the back blurb I have zero interest in reading it. So that aside, I will take recommendations from people whom I know read things like I read. I make recommendations or loan my stuff out. I find it really amusing and annoying when I come across a book that my husband would like and he refuses to read it until someone else recommends it to him because he hates what I read, even though some of what we read does overlap. But the flip side of that is also true, not so much that I won’t like what he recommends but that he tends to recommend really really LONG science fiction fantasy type books.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:19 am.
I avoid the sensation recs, too, Jen, figuring it’s like the Emperor’s New Clothes. They HAVE to like it because, well, it’s SO popular.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:32 am.
I am not sure I would have held my tongue with that lady. Some people are so rude.
I am not big on recommendations and most of my friends know this. Sometimes if one of them raves about a book I will borrow it to make them happy. I have enjoyed some, but others have been returned after the first chapter. I try not to be negative about it, and just say it wasn’t my cup of tea.
Other then my auto buy authors, I usually find new authors at the UBS or the library. If the blurb on the back and the first chapter hold my interest, then I buy it. If I like the book, I will search for more by that author.
I am with you on the Oprah recommended books. I want something light with a HEA, not something that has me sobbing at the end.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:31 am.
Amy, being polite was not easy. Trust me. *g*
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:33 pm.
I am thankful for my bookclub, because I have read books I never would have read. A lot of the books that come up I do the inner eye roll — it’s so not what I would choose for myself. But at least 80% of the time, the books turn out to be great.
Of my friends, there are two who like the same sort of book as I do, and I will take their recommendations. The others..we don’t even bother. We know we are not on the same page in reading tastes, LOL
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:40 am.
Now I’m thinking I need to find a bookclub, Julia.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:35 pm.
I wish there were a book club where I live but the ones around read the Oprah type so I don’t go
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:47 pm.
put me down for not reading an Oprah book club book. I’m already depressed, why would I want to read a book that will not lift me up?
As for recommenders, it depends on their tastes. People who post here, sure! It’s a very similar Happily Ever After mentality. My siblings and i have different tastes in b ooks. my sis and I were talking about this the other day. she likes sci fi and leans towards apocolyptic survival stories; another sis likes murder mysteries, a bro likes spy and archeology adventures. I like books in all of those genres plus romances- but in the circle of books and authors there are some crossovers that we all have read. Most of us loved The Passage, for instance.
If there was a Venn diagram made of our book choices, there would be lots of interlocking loops!
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:57 am.
I’m just glad you come from a family of readers, Kathy — and not at all surprised.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:36 pm.
we blame our mom!lol
If we couldn’t find her to crawl into bed with in the middle of the night, she was in the livingroom reading. As much for escaping our dad’s snoring as getting to the end of a good book
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 2:49 pm.
Suzanne, I am so sorry that woman was so rude to you. Clean is in the eyes of the beholder.
My Mom was terrific at recommending books to me, but she has been gone 18 years now. I take recommendations, however, no one is as good as my Mom.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:58 am.
And so is dirty, Michelle. But that woman still looks like a wet cat.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:38 pm.
My mom and I generally read the same things, but its usually me who finds different authors. Generally I go by author suggestions. I figure that if one of my favorite authors suggests someone else’s books they must be good, right? I have found a lot of great books that way. My friends and I read totally opposite ends of the spectrum most times.
Suzanne, you cracked me up with this blog. I love your “Artist’s rendering of ATV guy!” (Although I’m not sure that my sleepy eyes wanted to see that first thing this morning!)I hate that lady was rude. Pantsing was definitely in order. I was at a signing where the author was speaking when a woman came in, sat down, then rudely asked, “What type of books do you write?” The author replied Romantic Suspense. They lady then got up and walked away. It was hard for this red head to not follow her and ask where her manners were. People are just rude. What ever happened to, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all?”
I’m sorry you didn’t win the cover contest. I hope you didn’t take it too badly, and cry, like someone implied you might!
You’re such a good egg, Suzanne.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:36 am.
LOL, Kelly. No, I didn’t cry. I mean yes, I cried buckets and buckets. (That’s so everyone will be scared to let me lose next time.) *g*
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:40 pm.
I’ll try any book that someone recommends. I don’t promise to finish it, just to give it a try. I’ve been known to set it down after page 1 and let that person know it just wasn’t for me.
Some of my favorite posts on this blog asks the question of what everyone is currently reading. I’ll choose a few titles, look them up, and if they seem to be what I like, then I’ll give it a try. I’ve found some good stuff from the comments here.
Kudos to you for letting it go with that woman. My friend and I were talking about this yesterday. There is no reasoning with someone who has closed her mind and is not open to new ideas or those expressing ideas different from from hers. We were wondering how and why people close their minds off to ideas or ideals different from theirs. We were wondering what triggered that, and couldn’t come up with any ideas. We did decide that it was like those folks decided to stop learning new stuff in general. Which is sad.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:37 am.
I like the way you think, Amanda. And yes, I realized right away that she was not going to be convinced.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:45 pm.
It is certainly a shame that that woman was so rude to you. It’s also a shame that she wouldn’t purchase your book… I think that perhaps she could use a good romance to pep up her life. If it were me in your shoes, I would have probably done the same thing… but I would have secretly wished that I could have said more, then I would have spent the rest of the day running through scenarios in my mind of what her reaction could have been.
I don’t usually read by others’ recommendations unless they enjoy romances like I do. I never looked twice at the books that Oprah recommended. Nor would I ever read a book that my mom recommends… she only enjoys biographies written by spiritually enlightened persons.
My best recommender is a woman that works at the bookstore I frequent. She’s read nearly every romance that has come onto the shelves there, and I really enjoy talking to her about them.
And ‘dirty’ or not, I can’t get enough of those steamy romances!
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:01 am.
Amen for steamy romances, Cheri!
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:52 pm.
Good Morning Miss Professor of Romance:) I have 3 friends on facebook and we read all of each others suggestions. There is one friend on facebook her name is Maryse and she reads alot of books and gives us suggestions. She is great.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:13 am.
That’s why I like Facebook, Gail — it’s great for finding people with similar interests and getting good reading recommendations.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:54 pm.
The best recommendation I have ever received is a website fantasticfiction.co.uk This list an authors complete works grouped by series and suggests a dozen other authors to read. As a bonus it also includes other suggested by that author.
I can spend time just browsing the site.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:15 am.
Ooo, I’ll have to go take a look, Mary!
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:55 pm.
Ooh, that cat was just itching for a fight, eh? Good on you for taking the short route.
I always have intentions of reading the book group book but goddess reads take up my reading time. I don’t take recommendations unless I’ve read something in common that we both liked and the reco is in the same vein.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:36 am.
Just noticed the captions below the photos – pricelesss!!!!
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:37 am.
LOL – thanks, Fresh. I thought the artist did a remarkable job of capturing their likenesses.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:00 pm.
I’m another one that asks PJ for her recommendations.. and made the mistake of heading to her blog and clicked on the “5 star book” which resulted in the amazon bill that we don’t speak of.
I have a few friends I will take recommendations from, I usually write down the title then download a sample when I get home to see if it looks like something I’d like, too.
oh.. and for Rude Woman..just know that she is probably a really unhappy person who has to feel superior to make up for her horrid self esteem.
pfft.. who am I kidding? Pants her.
and don’t get me started on ATV guy.. the d-bag next door and the d-bag down the street with their effin Harleys are whipping me into a frothy rage.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:47 am.
PJ does have some good taste.
And why is it that the world’s ATV guys always have big, barky dogs, too?
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:02 pm.
Oprah book recs? Nope. Life is grim enough without voluntarily being brought down by a book.
I get my recs from the interwebs, because no one in my real life reads romance, which makes me sad (again, a reason to not read Oprah recs). I have so many books in the physical and electronic TBR mountain that I made need an ATV to get to the top.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:58 am.
Just don’t drive the book mountain-climbing ATV between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., Karen. *g*
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:03 pm.
that’s “might need”. I am not awake yet.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:59 am.
Wow…there’s no call for that type of behavior–regardless if you agree or disagree with the material. Your snarky drive-by needs a lesson in manners!
I’ll always look in to recommendations, but don’t always actually read them. Like you, I need my endings to be happy. Books fall in to the entertainment category for me. If I’m paying to be entertained, I like to enjoy myself–not feel like I need another pick-me-up when I’m done.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:16 am.
Exactly, Haley.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:03 pm.
How tempting it would be to ask what her defnition of “clean” is… But then that would probably start an argument. And most aren’t worth the effort. Some people have an aversion to growing as a human anyway.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:26 am.
Yeah, she didn’t seem the type for a reasoned, logical argument, Lori. But I signed 30 books, so I feel like a probably had a better day than she did.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:05 pm.
If a book is overly mentioned I tend to not want to read it. I generally follow authors I already like and stumble into new books on my own.
No need to pants the bitter lady fate has already punished her with an ugly personality.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:39 am.
And bad hair. *g*
You’re right, Archer, but imagining it was still fun.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:06 pm.
You are a woman of remarkable restraint. The evil cat woman was not.
I do pay attention to recommendations, the personal you-like-what-I-like-and-I-know-it, but also the everybody-is-talking-about-this-book kind. That’s how I stumbled into The Hunger Games, and loved it.
I do want to feel better when I finish the book–I want to feel uplifted. It’s okay if someone dies, though, as long as I finish the book with a sense of life-is-good.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:04 pm.
I’m with you, Claudia, except I have to modify the last sentence to “it’s okay if the right someone dies”, because if it’s the hero or the heroine, forget it.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:44 pm.
I completely agree with you! It’s ok with me if the ‘bad guy’ dies, but I’d be devastated if the hero or heroine, or even a side character that I had come to adore, had been killed off in the book. Nope. I’d put it down right then and there never to open it again.
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:06 am.
My mom used to read completely different books since she married her husband. Her book selection used to be fun reads, but I swear, now, if someone doesn’t die or beaten, she won’t read the book. I don’t take her recommendations ever now. There’s enough nastiness in the real world that I don’t need to read about child molesting, serial killers.
I stopped participating in my bookclub because while the books may have had different titles, really, we were reading the same book over and over.
There are 2 people I take recommendations from always – a really good friend, who’s also a lit professor (if I lived in the same state, I’d take her Young Adult lit class) and my bil when I want a fantasy read. Last week he and I were texting back and forth about books. I’ve friends whose recommendations are hit or miss, so I’ll do a bit more research before I read them.
Suzanne, I’m sorry that woman was so rude. Her behavior is inexcusable. People have forgotten what it means to mind your manners.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:17 pm.
I don’t think that I’ve ever read an Oprah book. It surprised my cousin and one of my sisters because I love to read. They both had read quite a few of Oprah’s selections.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:27 pm.
That’s interesting about how your mom’s taste in books has changed, Janae. Hm.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:06 pm.
If you knew my mom, it wouldn’t be surprising. She changes herself to reflect the interests of the guy that she’s with at the time. Her dh looks down on certain kinds of books, so she stopped reading them. She wasn’t political before him, and now, she is. My sisters and I joke that she’s the perfect example of what not to do when you’re dating or in a relationship.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 5:44 pm.
How rude! Why bother to come up to you and insult you?
She could have gone about her own business.
I just don’t get why she felt the immense need to take a detour with the sole purpose of insulting someone who hasn’t done anything to her!!
I would’ve had something rude to say back to her …. about 5 mins after she left!
I often take book recommendations from a cousin who reads a lot of fantasy.
None from my other cousin who only reads depressing books.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:21 pm.
I do not have an answer for that, c. I was kind of offended and amused all at the same time. *g*
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:07 pm.
I have friends at work who recommended a few books and that started my whole reading frenzy. I take recommendations off this site and I also visit Plotmonkeys who ask on Saturdays what everyone is reading. If I think I might like it I will check out the excerpts and go from there. if it’s an author I read regularly, I just buy it.
As for rude women, you can’t fix stupid. Just because one person doesn’t like something, doesn’t make it wrong. In my house if someone is bitchy, we ask who sh*t in their Wheaties. She must have gotten that extra dose.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 12:49 pm.
Snort. I love Plotmonkeys too, Pamiam!
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:11 pm.
Oh, how I hate having to take the high road! You know what they say about wrestling a pig though…she probably would have made a stink and enjoyed it. Congrats on being the adult in the room. Although a lightsaber right then would have come in handy ~ just saying.
My best recommendations have come from TGB. I had not heard of Loretta Chase before someone mentioned her here. I have a list of others from past “what is on your TBR pile” type questions just waiting for when I need a new name.
I belong to a book club and only go when the book sounds like one I want to read. We have a few English faculty in the group and sometimes I just roll my eyes! I only have so much time to read and now that I am past 50 I read what makes me happy; the goddesses.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 1:20 pm.
Ah, thanks, kez!
As an English major in college I read plenty of those mind- and soul-grinding books that make up “literature”. My professors and I had a few disagreements over them, too.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 3:14 pm.
Congrats for taking the high road. I have a friend who says women like that probably still make like a log with the flag over their faces (or paper bags, but trying to be nice here) or have inept partners. So, I feel sorry for her. She simply cannot relate–and resents anyone who can.
As for recommendations, it depends. I love my CP, but rarely read what she recommends because her reading taste and mine are diametrically opposed on so many levels. It works in our writing relationship, however. My sister is into thrillers (blech), and my mom loves Nora but otherwise isn’t much into romance these days. Truth is, I can’t think of a single person whose recommendation would make me pick up a book without looking into it further. Kinda sad.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 4:14 pm.
You had no choice with her, of course. Tempting though it may be to handle it differently.
I am not big on recs. I have about 2 people whose rec I will follow. I’ve just found that often books and movies that others rec don’t do it for me. Maybe they raise my expectations to the point where nothing can match them?
I tend to go with what hits me when I am looking around. Now, if the whole world says “this movie is just poorly done” I might think twice. But in general I just follow my nose, as it were.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 5:17 pm.
You are a far better woman than I… When she made her snarky remark, I would have likely said the same could be said for her twisted knickers…
But, then I really just cannot stand people that are rude and self-righteous. It’s so unnecessary. If she didn’t want to read your books or doesn’t like the content, she could have just walked by and not been ugly, but she had to make herself feel important by attempting to belittle you. It’s sad, really.
There are some people that I usually do follow the recommendations of, but there are still usually books that we don’t both necessarily like. I do like more light-hearted books that have HEA endings, but I also like darker stories too. I loved the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, and that was really violent and dark, but also very empowering and riveting. Also like Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series and those were very dark with fantasy elements. I love Nora Roberts (am currently reading Time Was and Times Change in one volume), and all of the goddesses. My sister likes the horror genre (King, Rice, etc.), and I’m not really a fan, but she loved the Dragon series and the KMM series as much as I did.
I was in a book club for a short while, and I really only enjoyed 2 of the 6 books we read. I haven’t gotten back into one just because of time constraints, but may in the fall. It really does bring up new authors and sometimes I find someone new that I’ve not heard of and like enough to look for more titles they’ve written.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 5:37 pm.
You know, some people should just be taken out of the gene pool, like those fanatics a 1 million moms. Just put the bad memory in a bubble and let it float away……..some people are just impossible.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 5:59 pm.
I will add a book to my wishlist based on a recommendation. I won’t read it based on recommendation alone. Even if it is my husband, dancing around and tucking the book under my pillow as a hint. Nope! After the recommendation, I will check out the author’s website or look on Amazon to read about other books the author has written. IF I can get the book as a loaner or really cheap, I will probably check it out IF the concept appeals to me. I have almost 2,000 books in the queu so I am reluctant these days to try anything new unless it really appeals to me. As far as that woman goes, maybe you should have asked her if she was clean. Afterall, she should have expected a stupid answer for such a stupid question. (And I don’t care that some people claim there are no stupid answers. That is just a stupid statement!) Oooops, I appear to have my snark on!
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 7:14 pm.
Oh, Suzanne, you are far kinder and more professional than I!!
And the correct response for her “That’s too bad, isn’t it?” remark was :
“Especially for your husband, sweetheart. Bet his secretary reads my books.”
Yes, I am evil and I will probably go to hell, but I’ve been told there is a Walmart there so at least I will have a job.
Speaking of Walmart, at the one where I work, I am the go-to person for reading recommendations. My coworkers and many of our customers will ask me which books I recommend. Could be why any Goddess book that shows up at my Walmart sells out pretty quickly.
And while I am certain Oprah’s books have merit and are carefully chosen, my life is far too difficult to spend time reading something “real” that makes me want to slit my wrist by the time I reach THE END. Thanks, but no thanks!
If my best friend recommends a book to me I fire up my Kindle and download it at once because she is one discerning romance reader!
The older of my two brothers is my mainstream source. He and I have similar tastes when it comes to fantasy, historical fiction, etc.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:10 pm.
I rarely take romance recommendations because my tastes are so different from most everybody else, even the owner of my favorite UBS (I was reading “Outlander” because it was free for my Kindle and hating it and mentioned it to her and she raved about it. I did finish it but I hated it enough that I won’t read any more by the author. See, I told you my taste is different from everybody else’s.) I read a few months ago about the page 99 rule (pick up a book and read page 99 and see if you want to continue reading it before you buy) and that works pretty well with new authors. I have a humongous list of “auto-read” authors (the Goddesses are on it) and mostly pick up new authors because I enjoyed a story of theirs in an anthology I got because it had another author I knew I’d like or there’s a really hot guy on the cover (I just started reading Jeaniene Frost because she was in an anthology with Lynsay Sands and now I have to go find all the Cat and Bones books!) Sometimes an interview or a video by an author will attract me to her books (SEP did that when I didn’t think I’d like her books but I do). But, sometimes, an author that I really like and have read many books by publishes one that I’m not so fond of. A couple of years ago, I picked up two books by a favorite author and had to put one of them down unfinished because I just did not care for either the hero or the heroine or for what happened to them, but I loved the other book (and every book by her before and since that one). So even I can’t tell what I’m going to like so how can anybody else?
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 8:12 pm.
I can never understand the rudeness of some people. If you don’t like the book/author/subject matter, just move on – why knock a girl down for making a living doing what she loves? Seriously! I thought the rude ATV people only lived in my neighborhood, they must be crawling out from under the same rock in your town too. Sigh.
My sister and I read similar books, we share authors and books all the time. There are a few websites that I look to for new book ideas: RT Magazine, WriterSpace,websites like this one. I like to read excerpts and browse on the author websites too. I don’t pay much mind to the reviews on Amazon/B&N – I have no clue who those reviewers are or what their reading taste/credibility is. I do like to browse the bookshelf at our local B&N that has “staff favorites” on it. Love your photo rendering of the rude woman, lol.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:00 pm.
I would have treated that woman exactly as you did. It doesn’t help anyone if you get snarky back! (although sometimes it would be really fun!)
I have very few friends who read the same kinds of books I enjoy. I have my favorite authors whose books are an automatic BUY for me – you, Jayne Ann Krentz, Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber, Susan Mallery…
I read ALL the time, I don’t know why none of my friends read…something must be wrong with them!
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:51 pm.
Yes, I happily read based on reccomendations, though I will just put it down partway through if I don’t get caught up in it, so I like to examine it in a bookstore or library before buying, though online excerpts do help a little. My sis generally has good choices, and sometimes so do the folks. I also avoid Oprah’s and for similar reasons, though I will happily grab a popular one if it looks like it won’t depress me. I read quickly so finding more authors to try works for me whatever way I manage it. Actually found the goddesses here via an antholgy done with an author I read already, which is one of my favorite ways to find good reads. Main downside to the fast reading… too many new books too fast equals sad financial state. Also, moving my library is a potentially backbreaking effort
. Last but not least.. major brownie points to you for not giving witchy judgemental lady the deserved pantsing. I second those who wonder where manners went, even back when I didn’t like romances (picture kid in princess bride only female… will there be kissing.. eeewww) I knew better than to be rude about it, unless I wanted a butt whoopin from mom.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 9:58 pm.
Sounds like you handled it perfectly. She would not have enjoyed the love scenes in your book. Or maybe she would have enjoyed them too much, and the guilt would’ve eaten away at her for years. Either way, better that she walked away.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:37 pm.
Her loss but she sounds like the type of person who wouldn’t be happy either way. I’ve found most of my recommendations via a blog like this or some of the Amazon lists. I always read the descriptions & reviews & see who seems to view it as I do. I’ve found several authors (like you!)who are an auto-buy for me this way. I’ve also recently found some good ones via Goodreads recommendations by rating books that I like. I have a couple of friends who have similar interests but that’s it. And I’m with everyone else about the Oprah picks. I feel like I’m going to be depressed just reading the descriptions. It has to have a happy ending for me.
Posted on May 2, 2012 at 11:47 pm.
I did try a few recommendations from employees at Borders before they closed. I like d two series, but I think the authors have quit writing them for a while.
Posted on May 3, 2012 at 10:57 pm.