I stopped telling a friend what to read. She likes "deeper" books than I do. (Except Marley & Me; she loved that.) My sil, who's a romance reader, likes the books with kickass plots and characters. I read more widely, but I do let her know when I read something she likes.

As an author, I know that not everyone is going to like my work. It's all subjective and personal taste, so I can make a recommendation on a book I like with an explanation of why I like it, but if someone's not interested, that's okay. Not everyone has my tastes.

The only book I've ever foisted on people, whether they wanted it or not, was Neuromancer, by Gibson. I didn't get it, and kept handing it off to friends to see if they did and could explain it to me. They couldn't.

I'm always promoting books, especially by authors I know. But I don't get upset if they don't share my passion. I just think, "Bless their hearts. They have no clue what they're missing."

I recommend books all the time, but try to be thoughtful and match the book up to the friend. Except for Jane Eyre. I do try to make all my friends read that one. LOL

As a romance reader I use to get the LOOK whenever I suggested a book. Now I suggest books through my newsletter - Much Ado About Reading. This way I never get the LOOK. LOL Gayle - tried to listen to Neuromancer on tape. I didn't get it either. I figure sometimes that happens.

I am very protective about the books I love. Having been pshawed a million times by my sister when I have suggested a title, only to have her read it, love it and them proclaim it as HER find, I tend to keep my favorites very close to my heart. Plus I am very mean! If you don't like a book I have suggested, well, then you're an idiot :) Are there shrinks who specialize in bad book behavior?

I agree with Ms. Monica, everyone has their own unique personal taste so you can't force someone who loves historical fiction to read science fiction, or vice versa. Also, I understood Neuromancer, not because I'm a computer geek, but because I focused on the story (characters, plot, etc.).

I get totally frustrated with people who won't try anything new. I've given friends books who balked at first, and then thanked me later. I've gotten quite a few converts once they finally read the book.

I voted yes, but would like to add that I am able to repress that reaction shortly after its initial appearance. Then I end up in the No category. But ESPECIALLY all that if it's an all time fav.

There wasn't any All of the Above.

Carolyn, thanks for bringing it to my attention. There should have been an "All of the above" answer. I'll remember that for next time.

I worked as a bookseller too long to take it personally if someone doesn't want to read a book I enjoyed. I've learned to tailor my recommendations to the taste of the person I'm talking to--and I love finding someone who shares my interests! (I do sometimes get irritated when someone who I know will enjoy a book I recommend doesn't take me up on it--but usually triumph later when they eventually find it on their own. *g*)

I've only recommended one book, and it was to my mother, and she never read it... Now, I'm not getting emotional, just disappointed.

I voted "other" because I don't harass people about reading a particular book and I don't think they're idiots or losing out either. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and they're more than capable of making up their own mind, even if they don't agree with me. I'm cool with that.

Ok, just to clarify, my son recommended a graphic novel, The Watchman. I did start it, but pictures of all the blood started getting to me. I can read about it, but have trouble looking at it. Someday I may try again.

If someone is really insistent about me reading a book, I get annoyed. And rather than take a book I always say 'I have so much to read now, I don't know when I'll get to it' and then I write down the title and author. Usually that'll keep the person recommending the book happy and sometimes I even do get to tell them later that I read the book (okay not too often, but sometimes).

I only get annoyed with people who read that genre and are resistant. I have a friend who will NOT read a book I suggest even though she reads that genre but if she finds it or asks me for it without my prompting she'll read it. She annoys me but I've learned to just not suggest anything to her. Another friend who doesn't read the genres I read I don't ever suggest books to her though she has occasionally borrowed books because I glowed about them and she needed something to read. But if she says she's not interested I get it and let it go.

Good morning Barbara! You are so right--I quietly accept a book I am not interested in, only to appease the person who has offered it to me! I have different tastes (in books) from this person, but she is a best friend!