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Thursday, November 06, 2008

Booking Through Thursday

This week's Booking Through Thursday asks the following question. Here is my answer:

What, if any, memorable or special book have you ever gotten as a present? Birthday or otherwise. What made it so notable? The person who gave it? The book itself? The “gift aura?”

You know, this is quite sad, but the best books I've ever been given are ones I've specifically requested. The problem is (amplified now that I'm at 5 Minutes for Books) that I HAVE a lot of books. So guessing as to what I might not have is frequently a dangerous activity.

Two Christmases ago I found Les Miserables in my stocking. It was a present from my husband who knew I wanted it. I LOVED that book.

For my birthday this year a friend of mine sent me a copy of I Wish for You a Beautiful Life - which I had wanted.

Those are two books that were hugely impacting and/or enjoyable for me and that I loved very much and even more so because of who gave them to me.

Basically, I'm not a fun one to surprise with books. Anymore these days and I hope people DON'T try to pick books for me.

I realize I'm being difficult.

8 comments:

Stephanie said...

I actually like that people try to please me by buying books. I'm always curious to why someone bought me a particular book!

Anonymous said...

I have so many books I want to read that I would much rather have one of those than a random book. But books are almost always on my wish list.

I am just now working through an unabridged copy of Les Miserables. I've read abridged versions but wanted to read the whole thing once.

Chrisbookarama said...

It's getting harder to buy me books these days.

Cathy said...

Once my mother died, I preferred that people not choose books for me either. Mom was the only person with the true knack of knowing which books I wanted. That said, folks like us can be helped with things like Amazon wish lists that gift givers can take a look at and know what books to buy us!

SmilingSally said...

I'm tough to buy a book for, but I love books so much that I'll never let the giver know I don't want it. I'll either keep it and read it, or exchange it for one I'd rather have. Happy Booking Through Thursday. I'm giving away a couple of books. See my sidebar if you're interested.
http://bookcritiques.blogspot.com/

Emily said...

I love it when people buy me books. Unless they give me one I already have. Then they obviously haven't done their research. That's what Shelfari is for people! But, books as gifts are probably my favorite kind (:

bethany (dreadlock girl) said...

That is sweet :) I agree that it is getting harder and harder for people to pick out books for me too! I am just getting complicated.

haha.

happy BTT!!

Ronnica said...

I'm with you. Unless it's a classic, and then you're pretty safe in getting it for me (unless I already have it, of course). My roommate did get me a couple of classics when she was traveling over the summer. Haven't had a chance to read them, but they were recommended by a lady who likes a lot of the same books that I do, so I can't wait!

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