I have a tidy pile of books sitting here demanding to be reviewed but I can't get to them right now. You see, I'm reading a good book. It's not just a good book. It's an amazing book. Amazing is even in the title so I know I'm not wrong. ::wink:: It won a Pulitzer Prize. Everyone talks about this book. But I waited ten years to buy the book and then another two years until I finally picked it up off my TBR shelf and started reading it. And now? Well, let's just say that I'm sad it's only 636 pages long because eventually I will be done with it.
So this all sounds great, right? What's the problem? Well, the problem is that I'm a little embarrassed to go around singing its praises because, well, everyone already knows that it is amazing. I don't want to be met with a blank stare or an eye-roll and an "oh, you're JUST getting to that book?" or a "yeah, everyone knows it's awesome ... whatever". I guess it's that fine line between praising a book and acting like you discovered the thing (which I obviously know I didn't). But I'm guilty of sometimes being annoyed when someone new decides that Jane Eyre is "OMG! Amazeballs! Have you HEARD of this book?!?" and I find myself rolling my eyes and sighing and breaking out all sorts of unflattering facial expressions. But then I also know that when someone finally reads Howl's Moving Castle and loves it and wonders why they waited so long to read it, I'm jumping for joy and making suggestions for their next read.
Do you ever feel embarrassed that you are late onto the bandwagon of loving a good book? Do you try and support someone who has just discovered a well-loved classic? And do you ever get annoyed when someone acts like they built the darn bandwagon for an older book? (Bonus question: Is this just a totally mental topic and do I worry too much about what other people might think about the books I read?)
Back to my amazing book,
K
I never get annoyed when someone discovers a book. It isn't new or real to them until they encounter it. It's understandable they (or you, or I) would be excited about a book when we read it, and not before. This doesn't translate to me as thinking they discovered it for the world. Just for themselves. And of course they'd start shouting praises about it when they discover it -- and want to inspire others to read it. That's enthusiasm, and I hope it happens! Perish the thought people stop being excited about books.
ReplyDeleteI believe we are led to a book at the best moment we are supposed to read it, so just ignore what others may think about when you read what. Plus there are so many good books out there, it's impossible to read them all when they get published. and you know what? I have not read this book either, I couldn't even think about what book you were referring to, I had to do some research. honestly, I had not even heard about it!!
ReplyDeleteJillian - I certainly don't want people to stop being excited about books, especially ones that aren't new releases! I just am never sure how to express that excitement when it something that already has a lot of acclaim.
ReplyDeleteWords - That's a good way of looking at it. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed this book earlier in life due to my previous trepidation about all things WWII. And you're right, we can't all read each book right away upon publication (and obviously the classics are beyond all of our efforts) so I shouldn't be embarrassed. Silly me. :)
I am always thrilled to shreds when someone discovers a book I love and gets really excited about it. So do not get self-conscious about only discovering whatever this mystery book is right now! We will all just be thrilled for you!
ReplyDelete(Seriously, I'm dying of curiosity. Please post about book ASAP.)
Good questions! I love it when someone discovers an old favorite of mine and shouts it from the rooftops! But like you, I'm sometimes unsure if I should shout from the rooftops over everyone else's old news.
ReplyDeleteI don't like to read books with huge buzz at the same time as everyone else, so usually pick them up several months to years later. So do I shout it's praises or quietly move on to the next book?
Guess I worry too much about what other people might think too... *sigh*
I actually have no idea what book you're talking about. I'm going to have to look up "pulitzer" and "amazing" to see if I can find it, lol. :D Which means I probably haven't read it. Which means if you post about it raving, you might have a chance of convincing me to try it. :D
ReplyDeleteI think there's a fine difference between someone discovering and loving a book like Jane Eyre, and someone loving and thinking they're the first person to ever love Jane Eyre. The former delights me. The latter makes me raise an eyebrow.
Good books don't have expiration dates - you can come to it two hundred years later and it will still be your own personal, magical discovery.
ReplyDeleteI never get annoyed - like you I also jump for joy whenever someone discovers a book I've loved for ages for the first time. After all, I know that there are many beloved classics I still haven't read, so who I am to judge? Having said that, I completely understand feeling kind of embarrassed for being the last to the party.
ReplyDeleteJenny - It's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. It'll be a few more days before I can post about it. Only at page 350 now. :)
ReplyDeleteAlexia - See, I knew I wasn't alone. It's totally that "do I just quietly enjoy it by myself since I'm late to the party" feeling.
Amanda - I love that everyone has to figure out what the book is now. I love my bookish friends. :)
Biblibio - So true. :)
Ana - That's really what this post was supposed to be about -- just that feeling of being a little embarrassed when you pick up a book later than you meant to and it turns out to be really good and you have no excuse for not reading it sooner.
I think I'm a little back-and-forth on this. I don't read a ton of "buzzy" fiction, but it's always sort of funny to talk books with people because I know a little bit about all the big books from reading so many blogs. They'll mention a book they think is a little obscure, but I've usually at least heard of it.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'm also really behind on reading those big books, so I come to the party pretty late and hope people will just deal with that :)
Please tell me it's not 50 Shades of Grey.
ReplyDeleteI don't get annoyed. :) And I think it's fun to see people discovering something awesome for first time!
Kim - I'm kind of surprised these days if I haven't heard of a book too. :) But yes, there are always more books than we could possibly keep up with and therefore must be late in reading at least some of them! We do seem to be a rather tolerant group too so hopefully there are very few who care.
ReplyDeleteTasha - Hell no. :) And I'm glad you're so positive about it!
You know I've never read anything by Chabon but I REALLY want to (one day) so you're not the last and if you sing the praises then I'll be more likely to sit up and pay attention. I guess it depends on the way that the person is raving. "Amazeballs" itself makes me want to roll my eyes (I stay away from those types of blogs because they just don't seem genuine to me). Oops...I didn't mean to say that outloud.
ReplyDeleteI tend to read hyped books late in the game but YES I do get annoyed when someone acts like they've built the bandwagon--though some tend to annoy me more than others (amazeballs noted). ;)
I'm late on the popular books bandwagon most of the time too, since I'm too busy reading dead authors.
ReplyDeleteThis month I'm finally reading two books that were REALLY popular with book groups. One of them (Cutting for Stone) I've decided was overhyped and underwhelming, and I've just started the second, which is just wonderful so far (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks). Hopefully it won't end up a huge disappointment.
And I do agree, it depends on how the person is singing the praises of the newly-discovered book. If they act like they discovered it, it's truly annoying.
Trish - This was my first Chabon. I can't believe what a wonderful writer he is! I'm glad I have two other books here ready to go when I'm in the mood. (Amazeballs is incredibly annoying, isn't it?!)
ReplyDeleteKaren - That's totally my problem too! I was wondering the other day why I hardly ever go to author events and it's because most of my favorite authors are dead. :) I think that the one category of books that always seem overhyped when I finally read them is book group books. Maybe that's why I've never been in a book group. :) (Although I would love a classics one!)
HAHA! I was dying to see what the book was and then I saw that you mentioned it … isn't that so good? I was surprised how much I loved it … and we hardly agree on any books do we? I gave it 5 stars and I'm gearing up for my next Chabon. I think this book doesn't get nearly the attention it deserves so I'm thrilled you found it. I'm never annoyed when someone discovers a good book -- we need all the readers and gushers we can get !!!
ReplyDeleteJenners - We agree! Hooray! It was SO good. 5 stars from me too. Now I just have to write about it.
ReplyDeleteI often feel ashamed for not having read a book earlier. What I dislike most is the thought that perhaps had you read it earlier other readers might have been more excited to discuss it with you in all its tiny details. But then again I find that most who are passionate about a book will be glad to discuss and talk about it even years after they read it.
ReplyDeleteIris - I'm so glad I'm not alone! And yes, it's that worry of being dismissed because everyone is done discussing it already. But we've seen with Fire and Hemlock that a good book can always generate good conversations no matter how old the book is!
ReplyDelete