Books that get a reaction(i.e.-People confronting you about it)

[SFG75]

What books have you read that elicited reaction from others in public? Perhaps someone sat down at your table and started talking to you about how much they admired the book. The one book that got the most reaction from people was Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. Every time I read this one in my favorite coffeehouse, someone would always stop and start a debate with me on the merits of the book or on objectivism. They tended to be political liberals or religious people who for their own reasons, saw the title of the book and just felt compelled to let me know their opinions about the book. So, with that being said, what books have you read in public(if any) that have garnered either a positive or negative reaction from others?

 

[mehastings]

When I was reading Running with Scissors a few weeks ago people were disordinately interested. I guess it was because it is set locally.

 

[MonkeyCatcher]

People always talked to me when I was reading The Lovely Bones, mostly to inform me that Peter Jackson is making it his next project and to tell me how good it was. It's to be expected, though.. Peter Jackson is our homeboy

 

[Scottishduffy]

I actually don't read very much in public now. However, I remember when I brought books to read in High school I actually got in trouble. It was my goal, in high school, to start reading lots of inappropriate and banned books. My father allowed me to read these books, so I could not understand why my teachers and other people felt compelled to question me. Among these books:

Encyclopedia of Serial Killers: Mainly comments from my summer camp about how I, as a nice young girl, should not focus on such macabre things and instead read happy romance novels. Normal girls don't like death.

Steal this book: I was reading while the kids I was a nanny for were in Tae Kwon do. They were in class, I was on a bench at the back of the room watching them and just waiting. A mother next to me saw the book, looked over my shoulder to see the Molotov cocktail recipe, and actually started to tell me I should not be allowed to care for the two children I had. Lecture me about my 'bad' parents and ask me if I had ever been abused.

Mao Tse Tungs Little Red Book and Hitler's Mein Kamf usually just got me very weird looks.

To Ride a Silver Broomstick: This book is about converting to the Wiccan religion. I went to a Southern Baptist school. My english teacher saw this and just snapped. I was made to stay after school to 'discuss my faith' with my teachers. They wanted to know if I was christian, and how I could say I was truly devoted to God when reading such filth.

Of course these reactions just cemented my devotion to reading these books. Most of the banned books no one cared about. However, those listed above got me stares at school left and right. I was already a social reject, but several girls refused to even speak to me at all after seeing some of that stuff ( I preferred them to not speak to me though ).

 

[Bluraven]

I have read a few books in my time that have turned a head or two! Some I'm not proud of and regret reading. Others I now own.
The books in my list would be:

Nigger, by Dick Gregory (I'm black, so you can pick up your jaw now!! ) Most people wondered why I read a "racist" book...racist though I and the author are black!?

The Satanic Bible, by Anton Levay(spelling?). I still feel the stares.

The Lord of the Rings, by Tolkien. Some of my Christian brothers didn't approve of my reading fantasy that had wizards in it.

Harry Potter, by Rowling. Same reason.

And, strangely, The Bible. I've been confronted about reading this in public...like I was trying to "convert" people. (Has it worked? Ya'll wantin to join me? ) LOL

 

[abecedarian]

Ha! Blueraven..
Try being white and reading Roots! Specially with my southern heritage..my cousins just thought I'd gone off the deep end(little did they know I was just getting started )

I agree about comments while reading the Bible in public. It can be a great conversation starter..even while on break minding one's own beezwax..

The Way Home -Mary Pride..the subtitle is: beyond Feminism and Back to Reality..and not everyone, even in a conservative church, was ready for this "ultra conservative" mess of ideas.
Shoot, even I disagreed with stuff in there..

any title on home schooling-I guarantee any title will bring conversation-pro and con..mostly people trying to convince me they can't homeschool their kids, and I shouldn't ruin my kids this way either. Honest, all I have to do is flash one of these books and people fall all over themselves telling me how they couldn't stand to be with their kids all day...then there's the ones who used to ask, "is that legal?" and now ask, "Where can I find out more?" We've come a long way, baby!

 

[ions]

I had posted this anecdote in the 'Currently reading' thread in response to cabrasopa's mentioning of reading The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber. It wasn't a confrontation per se but certainly a response. Here is that post mildly edited: I was in the bookstore reading the back of that and a woman with a stroller came up to me and warned me not to buy it. "Worst book I have ever read" she said. She continued by saying she was almost compelled to write Faber berating him for wasting her time. I was kinda dumbstruck by the interaction and her conviction so I didn't think to ask what it was about the book that she didn't like unfortunately. Plus my girlfriend standing beside me said "you just wanna read a book about whores." She did say that she had finished it and that's quite a lengthy book to finish if you hate it the way this woman seemed to. Then again she may be the type that refuses to abandon a book. Between the curiosity she inspired and what I've read on here I've decided I really want to read it.

 

[mehastings]

"Worst book I have ever read" she said. She continued by saying she was almost compelled to write Faber berating him for wasting her time. I was kinda dumbstruck by the interaction and her conviction so I didn't think to ask what it was about the book that she didn't like unfortunately. Plus my girlfriend standing beside me said "you just wanna read a book about whores."

Perhaps that was exactly the problem. I've just gotten a used copy in the mail. It was a book someone along the line had registered with Bookcrossing, so I logged on to make a note that I had it. The general feedback was "this book is too long for a book about hookers, I didn't finish it". I am of course planning to read it (as much because of the subject matter as because of it's reputation).

I agree about comments while reading the Bible in public.

I'm as non-Christian as humanly possible. However, I've been really interested in the history and traditions of different religions for as long as I can remember. So, in college I took History of Christianity, History of Witchcraft and Religious History. Sadly, I never got to take Islam or Judaism because of scheduling conflicts. I had a number of people make weird comments to me on the bus when I was reading the bible. A few people politely invited me to bible study (which didn't bother me a bit), a few people gave me dirty looks (probably for trying to convert them) and two people told me I was going to hell for writing on and highlighting the bible.

 

[abecedarian]

Perhaps that was exactly the problem. I've just gotten a used copy in the mail. It was a book someone along the line had registered with Bookcrossing, so I logged on to make a note that I had it. The general feedback was "this book is too long for a book about hookers, I didn't finish it". I am of course planning to read it (as much because of the subject matter as because of it's reputation).



I'm as non-Christian as humanly possible. However, I've been really interested in the history and traditions of different religions for as long as I can remember. So, in college I took History of Christianity, History of Witchcraft and Religious History. Sadly, I never got to take Islam or Judaism because of scheduling conflicts. I had a number of people make weird comments to me on the bus when I was reading the bible. A few people politely invited me to bible study (which didn't bother me a bit), a few people gave me dirty looks (probably for trying to convert them) and two people told me I was going to hell for writing on and highlighting the bible.

The study of various religions has always fascinated me too. I know what you mean about people saying its wrong to write in a Bible..but they're just wrong. I do believe it is God's Word, and should be treated with a certain respect. But to write notes as one reads, it totally fine..If anything, it is a sign the reader is trying to get the most out of the book as possible. In fact, nearly everyone I go to church with does this..including me and my husband. There's one man I know, a very godly man, who delights in sharing notes he's written in the margins from years gone by. So, for someone to say its a sin to write in a Bible, in the manner you describe..they're just making an icon out of the written pages, when the real reverence should be reserved for God. Pay no attention to such foolishness.

 

[mehastings]

Pay no attention to such foolishness.

I think I told them if that was the only reason I was headed "south" that I'd probably find icicles when I got there. They weren't nice, and I was grouchy...I'm rather sarcastic and biting when I'm grouchy.

 

[abecedarian]

I think I told them if that was the only reason I was headed "south" that I'd probably find icicles when I got there. They weren't nice, and I was grouchy...I'm rather sarcastic and biting when I'm grouchy.

Aren't we all? Don't mess with me when I'm pms-ing, have a sinus migraine, or am hungry..jesh, that just about covers all the time Maybe if people would offer me bribes of Dove's chocolate when they want to say something offensive? I suppose I should have t-shirt made up with an early warning.."Warning, gets grouchy easily, fork over the chocolate NOW!"

 

[SFG75]

I actually don't read very much in public now. However, I remember when I brought books to read in High school I actually got in trouble. It was my goal, in high school, to start reading lots of inappropriate and banned books. My father allowed me to read these books, so I could not understand why my teachers and other people felt compelled to question me. Among these books:

Encyclopedia of Serial Killers: Mainly comments from my summer camp about how I, as a nice young girl, should not focus on such macabre things and instead read happy romance novels. Normal girls don't like death.

Steal this book: I was reading while the kids I was a nanny for were in Tae Kwon do. They were in class, I was on a bench at the back of the room watching them and just waiting. A mother next to me saw the book, looked over my shoulder to see the Molotov cocktail recipe, and actually started to tell me I should not be allowed to care for the two children I had. Lecture me about my 'bad' parents and ask me if I had ever been abused.

Mao Tse Tungs Little Red Book and Hitler's Mein Kamf usually just got me very weird looks.

To Ride a Silver Broomstick: This book is about converting to the Wiccan religion. I went to a Southern Baptist school. My english teacher saw this and just snapped. I was made to stay after school to 'discuss my faith' with my teachers. They wanted to know if I was christian, and how I could say I was truly devoted to God when reading such filth.

Of course these reactions just cemented my devotion to reading these books. Most of the banned books no one cared about. However, those listed above got me stares at school left and right. I was already a social reject, but several girls refused to even speak to me at all after seeing some of that stuff ( I preferred them to not speak to me though ).

O.K., this one has me seriously laughing. I love the Encyclopedia of Serial Killers story. Wow, I have to branch out a bit more in my interests evidently.

 

[Scottishduffy]

O.K., this one has me seriously laughing. I love the Encyclopedia of Serial Killers story. Wow, I have to branch out a bit more in my interests evidently.

I founf it at a Barnes and Nobles, at a super bargain price of about $5 for a huge hardcover book. It came complete with crime scene photos and everything! We used to use it for bedtime stories at camp. Tons of fun.... but once some of the counselors figured out we had it (we were all 16 by the way), they tried to confiscate it. They said I was being a bad influence and should focus on 'happier' things. That was one the most fun books I ever had though!

 

[abecedarian]

I founf it at a Barnes and Nobles, at a super bargain price of about $5 for a huge hardcover book. It came complete with crime scene photos and everything! We used to use it for bedtime stories at camp. Tons of fun.... but once some of the counselors figured out we had it (we were all 16 by the way), they tried to confiscate it. They said I was being a bad influence and should focus on 'happier' things. That was one the most fun books I ever had though!

Why would this be any worse than ghost stories? If anything, it might make somebody be a little less trusting of strangers..big whoop

 

[SFG75]

They said I was being a bad influence and should focus on 'happier' things. That was one the most fun books I ever had though!

Perhaps this is what has me in stitches, I just can't believe an adult seriously saying such a thing.

 

[abecedarian]

I remember reading true crime magazines when I was about 16...so far I haven't drowned any children in the tub or such nonsense, so I suppose it didn't warp me too bad. I'd much rather my kids read that than become a statistic because they were too naive and trusting. A little fear can be a good thing.

 

[Scottishduffy]

I don't know what they were thinking. I just remember using the book for truly great ghost stories at night. It was just for me, and my friends. We never shared the stories with the younger kids, just had fun amongst ourselves. Some of the adults just assumed that reading all of the morbid stuff I did would warp me and somehow turn me into a sociopath. Sure, I'll just read this book then go out and plot my own killing spree.

The only side effect from the book was that none of us could eat "rump roast" from the cafeteria after enjoying a nice cannibalism story.

 

[abecedarian]

I don't know what they were thinking. I just remember using the book for truly great ghost stories at night. It was just for me, and my friends. We never shared the stories with the younger kids, just had fun amongst ourselves. Some of the adults just assumed that reading all of the morbid stuff I did would warp me and somehow turn me into a sociopath. Sure, I'll just read this book then go out and plot my own killing spree.

The only side effect from the book was that none of us could eat "rump roast" from the cafeteria after enjoying a nice cannibalism story.

Well, there was a story in a book we used in my sophomore year about a man who murdered his wife and dumped her body in the pond on their property. He claimed she just disappeared, and didn't know where she was. The detective got him to confess by serving him a succulent fish dinner and describing how a body might look after the fish had nibbled at it for for awhile...it was a long time before I could go back to Long John Silvers...

 

[Bluraven]

...did I mention that I've also gotten comments from reading the Dictionary in public? I don't mean "consulting" one, but just reading it like I'd read a novel. Apparently only weird people are interested in improving their vocabulary. Please pardon my idiosyncrasy.

 

[G4G]

...did I mention that I've also gotten comments from reading the Dictionary in public? I don't mean "consulting" one, but just reading it like I'd read a novel. Apparently only weird people are interested in improving their vocabulary. Please pardon my idiosyncrasy.

I do this quite often (though not in public, I have to admit) and I see nothing wrong with it at all. Paint me the colour weird...