Woe Unto Thee That Chooses Poorly
I'm not a book gift giver. I love books. I read books. I collect books. I talk about books. But I believe that reading is an intensely personal thing and just because I love a book doesn't mean that someone else will. And if I gift a certain someone with a book that they don't end up enjoying, it reflects poorly on me. So I recommend books. I don't give them to people, wrapped in ribbons and bows.
For some reason, my friends and family seem to know exactly what books I'll enjoy. They've gifted me with such wonders as The California Book of the Dead, Interview with a Vampire and Bloodsucking Fiends--and I've intensely loved them for it. I've also admired them for it. It takes guts to choose a book for another person. It takes a whole heck of a lot of bravado.
Be careful, minions, when choosing a book to gift someone with. Because the wrong book will put the gift-receiver in an awkward position. They'll have to read it, regardless of whether it seems appealing to them or not. Because it was a gift--and you don't snub someone's gift.
Or you could buy them something they'd definitely use.
Like a miniature guillotine.
For some reason, my friends and family seem to know exactly what books I'll enjoy. They've gifted me with such wonders as The California Book of the Dead, Interview with a Vampire and Bloodsucking Fiends--and I've intensely loved them for it. I've also admired them for it. It takes guts to choose a book for another person. It takes a whole heck of a lot of bravado.
Be careful, minions, when choosing a book to gift someone with. Because the wrong book will put the gift-receiver in an awkward position. They'll have to read it, regardless of whether it seems appealing to them or not. Because it was a gift--and you don't snub someone's gift.
Or you could buy them something they'd definitely use.
Like a miniature guillotine.
posted by Heather Brewer at 8:22 AM
3 Comments:
Let me publicly proclaim that my friends are ALWAYS welcome to gift me with books by Heather Brewer.
Christopher
You're so right, Heather. I've found this out myself, while trying to position my book as a great holiday gift. The thing is, I discovered that people don't want to surprise their loved ones with gifts they haven't asked for. (The exception being for people who have read the book themselves and want to share it with others.) And now that I think about it, I think they're right - that it is such a personal thing, the choosing of a book.
So I chalk this up to yet another interesting thing I've learned in the publication process!
Christopher, you are such a dear! Be patient...I'm working on it. ;)
Melanie, I'm firmly convinced that I'll never know even half of everything that goes on in the publication process. :D
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