Kindle as conversation-killer
As someone who often reads in restaurants and other public places around Baltimore -- and who is curious about what others are reading -- the inwardness and anonymity of the e-book reading experience seems very odd. I don’t mean that we should brandish the latest “hot” book in public like some designer handbag. “Look, the new Pynchon!”
We should approach books with intellectual honesty, and not use them simply as a signal for companionship and conversation. But I’m happy to chat about a book with fellow readers — strangers even. Consider it an impromptu mini-book club.
Other Read Streeters feel differently. In response to a post last week on this topic, Gail said she was annoyed when strangers asked her about her books. Lenn said the Kindle and other e-book readers free us to read only books that interest us, without worrying about what other people think.
Have you had a close encounter with a stranger over a book -- and how did it go?
Comments
The last time we flew somewhere I took my Kindle and lots of people asked me what it was, how I liked it, etc, but I don't think anyone asked me what I was reading. I did, however, check out everyone else's books.
Posted by: Kathy | July 19, 2009 10:00 AM
Two years ago, the final book of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was released the day before I left on a Baltimore to Bermuda cruise. I took my copy on the cruise with me, and spent most of my free time reading it.
Of the many passengers I saw during the cruise who had a book in their hands, about 90% of them had The Deathly Hallows. I thought it was like an unofficial cruise ship book club. We immediately all had something in common to talk about, young and old, from all over the US, and several foreign countries. Around the pool, on deck, in elevators (where I met a family with the Canadian edition of the book which had different cover art that the US edition), we'd stop and ask each other, "How far did you get?" and "Do you like it? How does it compare with the other books?" And always to those further along than we were, "Don't tell me what happens!"
Several crew members also talked with me about the book. One said that she'd had just enough time while in Baltimore to get to a book shop and pick up the book, but she hadn't had a chance to read it, as her boyfriend, also a crew member, had gotten his hands on it first.
I don't believe I would have met so many fellow passengers if I hadn't been walking around the ship with my copy of the book.
Posted by: Nancy Kinsley | July 21, 2009 4:58 PM