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Do you ask strangers about books they're reading?

Posted: Fri September 12th, 2008, 12:19 pm
by sweetpotatoboy
I never do this but am frequently tempted to. Commuting every day, I see people reading books that either I've read or I am thinking about reading. I really want to start a conversation with them about the book but I don't (British reserve probably playing a big part here).

Does anyone ever do this?

Posted: Fri September 12th, 2008, 12:34 pm
by nona
yes, If I'm curious and something caught my eye and I try not to be rude, just "hey I don't mean to intrude but..." and most people I found once you start chatting they enjoy talking to you.

Posted: Fri September 12th, 2008, 4:37 pm
by Calgal
In an airport a woman was really torn between finishing her book and talking about books with me. She told me that all the flying she was doing for her job had changed her into a reader.

Also, I met another woman who turned into a friend because we shared a taste in books and for reading. She used to own a specialty publishing house and does editing since her husband died. I still email her. Since that time, she has published a memoir. No surprise to me that books can be a basis for friendship.

Posted: Fri September 12th, 2008, 4:48 pm
by Misfit
I travel alone quite a bit for pleasure and I always find someone to talk with about books, along with other things.

Posted: Fri September 12th, 2008, 6:27 pm
by EC2
I do if I feel the 'vibes' are right. I can usually tell by intuition whether a stranger will want to talk books or would rather be left alone and I act accordingly.

Posted: Fri September 12th, 2008, 7:40 pm
by LCW
I never have before but if I saw someone with an interesting looking book I'd strike up a conversation. I don't think I'd interrupt someone who was actually reading but it the timing was right I'd go for it.

Once I was reading a bunch of biochemical papers on a flight and the lady in the seat next to me offered me her magazine if I wanted to "read something less boring", lol! That made me laugh!

Posted: Fri September 12th, 2008, 7:49 pm
by Rowan
I've never done it, but I think I'd be more likely to say something if they're reading something I've already read.

Posted: Fri September 12th, 2008, 7:56 pm
by nona
there are two or three ladies at work that always ask what I'm ready and we chit-chat about what were reading for a few minutes before work and after, it's nice.

Posted: Fri September 12th, 2008, 8:28 pm
by diamondlil
I always take a look at what people are reading on the train around me, just to see. Every now and again I will have a conversation with someone about the book they are reading, but not as often as I am tempted too!

Posted: Fri September 12th, 2008, 8:30 pm
by Vanessa
I always try to take a sneaky peak at what others are reading, but as to starting up a conversation with a stranger, I'd be too shy unless they said something first.