tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post8840060981843322292..comments2023-09-18T12:09:29.931-04:00Comments on Pop Culture Breakdown: Are You a Book Pusher?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09876184821140692572noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-52011908706598955402010-09-17T11:59:59.020-04:002010-09-17T11:59:59.020-04:00@Kim - Well, at least she doesn't hate them :)...@Kim - Well, at least she doesn't hate them :) I'm protective of my favorites too.~Jennifer~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09876184821140692572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-60500080241971996172010-09-16T15:52:17.938-04:002010-09-16T15:52:17.938-04:00I try not to push books because then I feel a litt...I try not to push books because then I feel a little bad if they don't like it. I'm especially protective of books I love. I've found it interesting that my current best friend doesn't share my same interests in books -- when I gush about a book, she gives it a 3 star, and vice versa.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09870662298657958483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-3891614941026988392010-09-16T10:05:29.153-04:002010-09-16T10:05:29.153-04:00@luv46kdz - Evanovich has written straight romance...@luv46kdz - Evanovich has written straight romance novels, but the woman I was talking to meant her plum series. So, yeah. If asked about a specific book, I'm golden. If asked vaguely - what's good lately? - I'm at a complete loss.~Jennifer~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09876184821140692572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-41688767124355865952010-09-15T14:48:33.632-04:002010-09-15T14:48:33.632-04:00lmao! Janet Evanovich, romance! I don't thi...lmao! Janet Evanovich, romance! I don't think I'm a book pusher in the sense that I run around spewing the latest read I finished, but if someone asks I'm not shy about talking. I love the blogging end of it since I don't really use filters, like with my Eat Love Pray review. I can't remember the last time a family member asked if I read a good book.<br><br>Paula<br><a href="http://tomesdevotee.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> Tomes Devotee</a>luv46kdzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071152704222978446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-60683427956007765402010-09-14T10:09:48.434-04:002010-09-14T10:09:48.434-04:00@Midnyte Reader - Yes, I can talk books right off ...@Midnyte Reader - Yes, I can talk books right off the top of my head. That's fun without pressure to find the perfect answer. <br><br>@caitieflum - Love the time limit. Not that anyone I know would follow it.<br><br>@Jessica - Oh yeah. I'm good with people who have truly eclectic taste. Most people consider themselves to read anything when in reality they still only read certain genres. I'll give just about anything a try regardless of genre if it's suggested to me. If someone else is really willing to give anything a try, it makes it that much more easy for me.<br><br>@carolsnotebook - See, this is where I'm lacking. I need more readers in my life.<br><br>@Lexie - Love that. I think everyone assumes that if you read, you read the same things they do. Especially if they don't interact with a lot of other readers often. Before I started book blogging, I though everyone read whatever they came across regardless of genre. I never knew so many people only stuck to one or two genres until I came across so many genre-specific blogs.<br><br>@Mollie - Oh, I think Professional Book Pusher is going on my resume. Not that it technically applies, but because I love it so much I've decided to claim it as my own. I don't talk much to strangers (what do you say? are they even interested? and yes, are they hoping to escape any minute?) due to that freezing on the spot thing. <br><br>@Ashley - I'm completely jealous of your ability to talk to people like that. I can fake it, but my anxiety leans towards the social when dealing with people I don't know.<br><br>@Tara SG - That is the question. I think I might have been more of a book pusher if I actually knew people who read in my offline life. Now it's mostly strangers and people I don't know well which somehow adds to the pressure.<br><br>@Enbrethiliel - Love it when someone comes back and tells me they loved a book they picked up because of me. And I totally understand online being safer. <br><br>@christina - Freezing up is awesome isn't it? It's the pressure, I swear. People just expect you to be all knowing, when in reality - reading 200 books a year may sound like a lot, but it's just a tiny percentage of the books published each year. I can't know all the books and be able to tell you which book published this year is the most perfect for you. No one can.<br><br>@Becky - That's why I blog! Because I have no one to send the big mass email to.<br><br>@Amused - Yep. I started this blog because no one wanted to talk about books. In fact these people had me convinced that no one read on purpose anymore. It was something you do when forced or trapped without any other form of entertainment. Crazy people. Talking here has definitely made it so I don't have to gush about the last awesome book I read to people who just don't care at all.<br><br>@Amy - Aww, that's both funny and sad. And I'm totally in the same place.~Jennifer~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09876184821140692572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-75800725626447222152010-09-14T10:09:34.319-04:002010-09-14T10:09:34.319-04:00@ladystorm - Exactly. I read many good books each ...@ladystorm - Exactly. I read many good books each year, but that doesn't mean that most other people will like them.<br><br>@Lisa Gibson - I push reading on my kids. The adults in my life, not so much. If I gave anyone a giftcard to a bookstore, I doubt it would ever get used.<br><br>@Karen - I think those of us who have book blogs have readers that grow to understand our varied tastes. You could love a blog, but now their recommendations wouldn't suit you and vice versa. I've had many readers come back and say they've bought a book because of a review I've written and while not all reactions to the books are positive, most are. <br><br>@Lily of Darkness - I LOVE this story. I would have recommended the same series, since I read and love both that you mentioned. It would have never even dawned on me that someone would be offended by the material in the books, nevermind "tell" on me. <br><br>@Raspberry - The step-by-step approach has been a little more successful for me, but most of the time people expect a spot-on recommendation immediately. Kind of like telling a comedian to be funny, telling a book blogger to name the perfect book for you is much harder than it sounds.<br><br>@Paranormal Haven - My grandmother read the trashiest romance novels she could find, so she might not have been offended by dirtier bits in the books I could have suggested. Luckily she never asked, so I never had to find out. You never know where the line is with other people when it comes to sex, violence, "bad words" , etc.<br><br>@Fi-chan - I recommended The Hunger Games to a friend because she wouldn't stop gushing about Twilight like it was the only book series on the planet. I was like - you like YA? Just try this. It's going to be a movie. You'll know about it before anyone else. I hoped to transfer some of her scary passion (she's 30 and obsessed) to something, anything new and while the 2 books are nothing alike, I couldn't possibly see how she wouldn't love it. I couldn't see how someone wouldn't love Harry Potter either, though.<br><br>@Tiffany - Ahh, running away. Always a viable plan in every situation :)~Jennifer~http://www.blogger.com/profile/09876184821140692572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-89156726518640227522010-09-14T09:06:55.916-04:002010-09-14T09:06:55.916-04:00I try to be a book pusher but in real life no one ...I try to be a book pusher but in real life no one wants book recommendations. Lol.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18102250492155489672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-4716728889137116312010-09-14T00:01:26.280-04:002010-09-14T00:01:26.280-04:00I'm like you. I used to be a bigger book push...I'm like you. I used to be a bigger book pusher but I think I am not as much of one as I used to be. I think it's because I blog about books all day I get it out of my system so when people ask me for book recommendations, I'm like "all books are good in there own way". I never used to be like that! I used to yearn for people to talk to about books but thank goodness that need is being met now!Amusedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12657337249497691366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-86250538488926017162010-09-13T23:21:25.678-04:002010-09-13T23:21:25.678-04:00I am totally a book pusher. I read something good ...I am totally a book pusher. I read something good and I send a big group email out to everyone that I know telling them its great and that they should read it. A lot of the time though no one else likes it (especially my mother and sister).<br><br>I do find it hard though when someone asks for a specific recommendation for them. Everyone has such different tastes. I definitely freeze up on occasion but not all the timeBecky (Page Turners)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14144719070318640603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-16676128284480477772010-09-13T20:55:29.942-04:002010-09-13T20:55:29.942-04:00I TOTALLY freeze up when I someone asks me for rec...I TOTALLY freeze up when I someone asks me for recommendations for a couple of reasons (a) it's what I do, freeze up, I mean (b) most of the peeps I associate with are non readers so it takes me off guard (c) sometimes i feel as if I'm reading too many books all at once I can't recall what I've read and (d) oh yeah, I just forget and freeze up. :)christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16749333368560606659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-38997104675797754412010-09-13T20:48:13.424-04:002010-09-13T20:48:13.424-04:00+JMJ+I think I used to be a book pusher. =P But th...+JMJ+<br><br>I think I <i>used</i> to be a book pusher. =P But then so many people who took my recommendations ended up disappointed in them that I felt bad and just gave up! =(<br><br>So now I never really recommend anything. I make <i>suggestions</i>--and then add a self-deprecating warning that "nobody likes what I like, anyway." I'll bet that works out even better for me than your technique does for you! LOL!<br><br>I think this is why I went into book blogging. It's safer to gush about books online than face-to-face. There's no sense of obligation to someone who recommends a book to you. And whenever someone comes back to comment that they read a book I wrote about and really liked it, well, that totally makes my day! =DEnbrethilielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03414765854670926854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-3829354200423012142010-09-13T18:47:46.612-04:002010-09-13T18:47:46.612-04:00I am without a doubt a book pusher! But isn't ...I am without a doubt a book pusher! But isn't any book blogger?<br><br>I buy paperbacks of books even if I own the eBook so I can give them out to others to read :)Tara SG (25 Hour Books)http://www.blogger.com/profile/13280482558373165748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-59265536871927154902010-09-13T17:39:48.547-04:002010-09-13T17:39:48.547-04:00I'm pro at those conversations! I love when pe...I'm pro at those conversations! I love when people ask me for recommendations! I generally ask what a few books they've really liked are, and then go from there. I love it! I thrive on it actually... But then again, I really like to talk to people, about anything really... It's just a bonus when I can talk about something I know well. <br><br>And, I read a wide enough variety, that I can usually find at least one book that I've actually read, and a few I haven't to offer a person.Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07895603279815878376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-65815058122775593012010-09-13T17:01:22.367-04:002010-09-13T17:01:22.367-04:00Well I'm a librarian so I guess I'm a &quo...Well I'm a librarian so I guess I'm a "Professional Book Pusher" but yes, I actually do push a lot of books. I know what my family, friends, and co-workers like so I'm always recommending books to them. I also occassionaly push them to read things outside their comfort zone. Whether that means recommending YA to an adult reader or fantasy to a contemp reader. <br><br>I've also talked to random people in bookstores and struck up convos based on the books they were holding. Several of them even bought the ones I suggested, others I'm sure were just being polite and wanted to be left the hell alone! ;)Molliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535404585690225142noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-29501029508408856082010-09-13T15:00:32.279-04:002010-09-13T15:00:32.279-04:00Pretty much I start with 'do you like fantasy?...Pretty much I start with 'do you like fantasy? no? Urban fantasy? no? historical romance? no? manga? no? guess I got nothing for you then' <br><br>Often family members, or friends of family who hear I read voraciously, automatically assume that means I read all genres equally. Even when I protest and say I only read a handful on a regular basis they think I'm just being modest. 'How can you read 200 books a year and NOT read non-fiction/autobiographies/history/genre fiction/whatever else they name?'<br><br>So I start out with asking if they like any of my categories, if they do I then ask about what sort of author they've read or heard of and from there I make recs.Lexiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01997726505496899916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-22824333320202003672010-09-13T13:26:14.580-04:002010-09-13T13:26:14.580-04:00In real life, I'm only good at recommending bo...In real life, I'm only good at recommending books to a few close friends and family. They're the only ones whose taste I know well enough to say - hey you have to read this, or hey I know this is outside your usual range but I think you'll love it.carolsnotebookhttp://carolsnotebook.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-53965026045155653322010-09-13T13:19:16.200-04:002010-09-13T13:19:16.200-04:00Great post! I have to say that I used to be a huge...Great post! I have to say that I used to be a huge book pusher but, like you pointed out in your awesome post, I kept getting shot down and it drove me nuts! People seem to think you can read their mind when you give them a book recommendation. Sorry all, my ESP expired :). Now I only recommend books to people I know really well, or to people who are willing to give any book a try!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07734855129352601818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-35414377123559273102010-09-13T13:14:22.777-04:002010-09-13T13:14:22.777-04:00I am SUCH a book pusher! I am ok with coming up wi...I am SUCH a book pusher! I am ok with coming up with something spur of the moment, unless it is someone wanting a recommendation for a genre I don't read. I tend to push one book/author on multiple people. I have tried to get most of my friends to read John Green and The Hunger Games series. I hand them the book and tell them they have two weeks to read it. I am quite pushy :-Dcaitieflumhttp://caitieflum.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-400160889392936732010-09-13T13:05:48.412-04:002010-09-13T13:05:48.412-04:00I loved this post. And I know what you mean by ne...I loved this post. And I know what you mean by needing a few moments to get your thoughts together. I do this in all aspects of my life...but it seems when it comes to books, I *can* spout off things right away. It is always easier however, when a particular book comes up in a conversation or people ask what I'm reading, not necessarily what they should read next.Midnyte Readerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10411332857885069319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-4732829777973613212010-09-13T12:57:09.778-04:002010-09-13T12:57:09.778-04:00If someone asks me for a recommendation, I always ...If someone asks me for a recommendation, I always reply with "Well, what have you read that you liked?" I can usually think of something that goes with the book(s) they mention. In extreme circumstances, you can always pretend to need that ladies' room urgently.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06413455837610452585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-76039777989240698402010-09-13T12:21:39.533-04:002010-09-13T12:21:39.533-04:00No, not me. What I like or love might not be what ...No, not me. What I like or love might not be what they will like or love. I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, but my best friend told me it was boring (wtf). Oh then, shopaholic series, we both love/like the series, but she doesn't like Becky Bloomwood, and I love her. :D Since then, I stop uhm, pushing or even just recommending books. I usually like what my friends recommend me though.<br><br>I've sort of recommended a few friends Hunger Games series and I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore, even though I haven't read them (wait! Before someone kills me, I'm just waiting for my copy of Mockingjay, then I'll find some time!), just because of the hype and/or movie. :p<br><br>This way, it wouldn't be like they are disliking what I love, if they actually dislike them.<br><br>I have just started book blogging, and I am still quite busy.. so.. no book pushing online at the moment!Fi-chan (Bookish-Escape)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12753118506880244146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-70730975729452702302010-09-13T11:42:59.121-04:002010-09-13T11:42:59.121-04:00If anyone asks me for a recommendation I usually h...If anyone asks me for a recommendation I usually have a list ready unless it's family who is asking. I cringe at picturing my grandmother or aunt reading the Demonica or BDB series. Thank goodness for me my family isn't a bunch of readers. <br><br><br>Stephanie G<br><a href="http://paranormalhaven.com/" rel="nofollow">Paranormal Haven</a>Paranormal Havenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09703990765986530178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-23588731416045584602010-09-13T11:18:55.595-04:002010-09-13T11:18:55.595-04:00Because I've previously been a librarian I was...Because I've previously been a librarian I was shoved into the position of figuring otu what to recommend pretty quickly. I do worry abotu recommending to family - they can always come back to haunt you about your choice. Need to stall for time? Ask what they liked about it. i.e. So what was it exactly you liked about Twilight? And then you can kind of take it from there - Vampires, romance, etc. :)Raspberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17951500465174845096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-53343906966224922182010-09-13T11:07:26.615-04:002010-09-13T11:07:26.615-04:00Ugh I suck at this too. I have some books I gush a...Ugh I suck at this too. I have some books I gush about like crazy - but I have a hard time trying not to offend the people I know. One example of this blowing up in my face was someone told me they loved Twilight but wanted something "more grown up" and "darker" so I said "How about early Anita Blake or Sookie" so she went out and got em. Then emailed my husband to ask him if he knew I was reading that kind of stuff. She told him she was shocked by the stuff I read and was amazed I would even mention those kind of things in public. <br>My mouth fell open when I read the email. <br>My husband laughed and told me to stop telling people about my porn.Lily of Darknesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15620131414158175035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266515252594975225.post-33550932657960927992010-09-13T11:05:06.635-04:002010-09-13T11:05:06.635-04:00I love to "push" a book in my review but...I love to "push" a book in my review but then I panic when someone says they are going to buy it based on my review...lol I always feel that although I may have loved the book it might not be their cup of tea and they will have wasted money because of me.Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.com