Possibly, Maybe

The other day I started to read The Inheritance of Loss. Now, it may be a fine book, and one that I'd get into, but right now I just can't concentrate that hard. I need a book that grabs me from page one. But I might have found it. It is called The Reading Group. I bought it at a new/used book store nearby. It's used. The first couple of pages showed real promise. I'll keep you posted.

One thing I read in the book So Many Books, So Little Time that made me pause was the idea of what a risk you take when you, not recommend a book to someone, but when you actually give or loan them the book. You are really giving them a part of you. It puts you in a vulnerable position, actually, both as the giver and the receiver. The giver is taking a risk, because what if the receiver doesn't like the book? What does that say about your taste? Or your friendship?

And the receiver is likewise put into an awkward position. Are they obligated to read the tome whether they want to or not? If they don't read it, and they see the giver often, what then? Do you lie? Read the crib notes? The Amazon review and call it good?

It's like setting up someone for a blind date. Only do it if you know both parties really well. I'm guilty of being a giver before I really knew the receiver. I've also just been given a book that I know I'll never read. It was given to me by my sister-in-law. Now what do I do?