Tomorrow is that made up day we know as Mother’s Day. If you get someone flowers, let me just tell you you’re lazy. And about as original as a can of corn. But I don’t really care what you do or don’t do. So long as you don’t break the ONLY rule that always applies. Which rule is that?
NO BOOKS AS GIFTS.
The end.
Sue Grafton is one of the most respected authors today. She’s written the Kinsey Millhone series of books set in California. I’ve read five or six books in the series, which I found underwhelming. And now she’s making THESE statements? No.
“…I’d like to remind you that a book is a perfect gift.”
“One size fits all and no calories…”
BOOKS ARE NOT THE PERFECT GIFT. NO MATTER WHO SAYS SO. And signed books are meaningless in today’s world. The only positive from this post is that the books are free, but even then I wouldn’t force any book onto any other person.
Ugh. I’ll keep saying it until I no longer can. Books are terrible gifts. THE END. Especially books that have been on bookstore shelves for more than a year.
The holiday season is officially in full swing. Which means people all over the country are now doing their best to buy things for people who don’t need them. This definitely includes books. I’m sure some would argue that gifting books is better than an iPad or new TV, but I would disagree.
So, my holiday advice to anyone who is thinking of gifting books to a loved one or relative would be this: DON’T. Why? Because I can tell you what will happen. They will say thank you and smile and then put it on their shelf never to read it. Unless you are absolutely certain they want that particular title, don’t do it. I’d say give a gift card to Half Price Books instead. Because your money will go toward more books than if you give a gift card to one of the other book retailers. No doubt about that.
Are you planning on gifting any books this holiday season? I’m not.
Holiday season is in full swing even though Thanksgiving was just a few days ago. Malls are packed. Stores are launching Cyber Monday sales. And everyone is feeling jolly.
So I feel obligated to offer a little friendly reminder. Books are NOT the ideal gift. Assuming someone will like this book because they liked that one doesn’t always work out. Assuming someone will like this book because you enjoyed it works out even less often.
Sometimes someone goes on and on about how much they want the next book in a series, and getting that book isn’t so bad. It’s when you get something they haven’t been going on and on about that leads you to giving a bad gift.
So, happy shopping and book giving!
Valentine’s Day
Girls wants gifts
Guys want sex
And this is special?
If you say it is
Gifts don’t last
And it’s just a day
To waste money
And celebrate
But I’m no one
Do what you will
What do I know?
I’m single
Photo Credit: Darlene Foster
If you’re reading this blog, then you likely have a great interest in books. Maybe you don’t read every day or week, but you might be writing one or editing one or doing something with a book a good amount of your time. The chances are that you even know someone who enjoys books as much as you do. That person is always telling you to read something new or that they’re new novel might finally attract the attention of a traditional publisher. Every winter when Christmas comes around you struggle to come up with the perfect gift idea. After all, you’ve been friends for over a decade. Then you think…BOOKS!
Now here’s where I slap that thought right out of your head. You shouldn’t consider gifting some books to your friends or family members or anyone at all. Why? Because it is rather difficult to really know which book someone might be interested in without just asking the question. Even if you’re aware of their reading habits, it’s still not a good idea. I mean, you could easily just get a book by one of their favorite authors or a new book within their favorite genre. But hopefully we can all agree that just because two books are a part of the same genre does not mean a reader will like them both. It could be the case, but it’s a toss up if you ask me. And it’s likely that your friend has all of the books by their favorite author anyway.
Y’all know I don’t recommend books or gift them because it’s quite a bit easier to just get the Barnes and Noble or Amazon gift card and call it a day. You can show that you know what they’re interested in without trying to guess. I won’t be gifting any books any time soon, will you?
Fun fact: in the photo credit blog post the blogger says that she will give a list of great book gift suggestions that she’s already read. See what I mean? Prime example of someone assuming that you will like a book because she liked a book. Hmm.
Johnny Reads 