This Book is Not for Everyone March 26, 2010
Posted by bookgoddess in Book Clubs, Books, Fiction, Literature, Mysteries, Public libraries, readers, Reading, West Palm Beach Public Library.Tags: Barbara Pym, Clyde Edgerton, Death Comes for the Archbishop, Excellent Women, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Lisa Lutz, Nelson DeMille, Peter Robinson, Raney, The Gold Coast, The Spellman Files, Willa Cather, Winnie-the-Pooh
trackback
It’s a great joy when you recommend a book to someone, and they just adore it. Recently I recommended the wonderful British mystery writer, Peter Robinson, to a long time patron. When she stopped by yesterday, she thanked me and was looking forward to reading more of his books.
However, it can be deflating when you love a book and the person you recommend it to does not share your enthusiasm. I have had book clubs disappointed with two of my all time favorites, Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather and Excellent Women by Barbara Pym. My friend Peggie was lukewarm about another favorite, Raney by Clyde Edgerton, though she truly loved my recommendation of The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz. And my supervisor, a former children’s librarian and outstanding human being, inexplicably does not like Winnie-the-Pooh.
It happens with me, too. I finally gave up on the immensely popular and critically acclaimed Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, mostly because I found parts of it too brutal for my taste. And both the aforementioned Peggie and another friend, Joanne, highly recommended The Gold Coast by Nelson DeMille. I just bogged down and stopped listening to the audiobook. I’m not really sure why.
Please keep on recommending books, because when it goes right, you make a truly fabulous connection. Just remember that we may not love the same books. But in the library, the good part is that the price is right and we have no problem when you bring the item in for a return or exchange!
Happy Reading,
The Book Goddess
I’m going to put Excellent Women on my list. Thanks for the recommendation. So many books, so many choices. If we all liked the same thing what a dull world. I appreciate hearing what other readers have loved and even what they didn’t. I’ve exclaimed about some books that have left others wondering. I know that one of my favorite books, Water for Elephants, was not embraced by all. Right now, I’m talking up Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. For me, it had it all. Well researched story about the long distance runners, The Tarahumara Indians of Copper Canyon, Mexico. Wonderful characters, science, humor, adventure. Is it for everyone, not hardly, but if you ask me what I’m reading and what I loved, you’re going to hear about it. I’ll get back to you someday on Excellent Women.
I loved Water for Elephants, too! Thanks for the nice comment.