My husband refuses to read the book reviews when I blog. If he sees a book cover for a picture, he skips it. Automatically. He doesn’t come right out and say it, but I know he finds them boring. My impulse is to apologize, to be put off and/or hurtfully offended. Instead of being put off, I have to fight that off. I have to dig deeper and ask myself why anyone would read any word at all? Thinking like that keeps me way grounded – almost underground with humbleness. I think Kisa reads mostly because he’s married to me; he has a vested interested in what I might (or might not) say, but. But. But, he draws the line at boring books. I try telling him that I don’t write traditional reviews, that he might actually find one or two interesting….or something. He doesn’t care. He still won’t read. He has even said (and I quote) “you could call me a jerk, tell me I’m an asshole and I wouldn’t know it.” Hmmm…is that a challenge? Is that a Dare-You-To statement? That means I could unleash the dream about divorcing him; untether the frustration when I feel I’m not being fawned over enough; cry it’s a crying shame I can’t get him to clean the toilet. Seriously! Think of the possibilities! Actually…No.
Honestly, this is not a bone of contention between us (although it might sound that way). I don’t silently resent him for not reading me cover to cover, line after line, word by word. I sometimes cringe at what he does read, fearing he will misinterpret me just as much as the next person who doesn’t know me half as well. Or more.
ps~ Here’s a little haha for the unread: When I posted Everyday Zen I hadn’t been able to load a picture to go with it. So, when my husband signed into this site he was tricked into starting to read the blog. It’s actually kind of funny. When I joked that I almost got him he admitted, “yeah, it took me a few lines to realize I was reading a review…” then he added, “but when I did, I stopped.” Touche.
~*LunaSea*~ 
i suppose he feels like if you think he’ll love a book, then you’ll tell him in person. I try to read most of the reviews but if I’m limited on time and I have a review and non-review post I haven’t read yet, I’ll read the latter first and go back to the review when I have time. They’re always interesting, but I simply don’t have the time to actually read that many books outside school work…so who needs the temptation? 😉
nah…he just doesn’t care for the reviews. Maybe they just aren’t all that “thrilling” (although I just found out my Anne Frank ‘review’ wasn’t technically a ‘review’…sigh).
If I had my choice I’d only be reading the non-review ones, too! 😉 Look at it this way, I’m reading the books for you! hahaha
ha! well, maybe he’d rather hear what you think about life than about books. I think it’s more than fair. And I bet you WOULD tell him if there was a book he just had to read. 😉
ps, if I come to Massachusetts for interviews, would it be OK for me to stay with you on my way to boston area? it’s a looong drive from utica to boston…and any excuse to see you, I will take.
Not sure when it would be, I would check the specific date with you of course, and I’m getting a bit ahead of myself, but what do you think?
I admit that I probably read about 1/3 of the reviews. If a book title, book cover, or perhaps something in what you write grabs me as I glance over it … that is the hook that can pull me in. And I must say that I like the reviews I’ve read. They are very honest and they read like a conversation we might have over lunch. And I love your lists of favorite lines/quotes from the books.
Maybe if you reviewed a football book or a video game book Kisa would read it? You never know. With the right bait and a little patience, you can hook any fish 🙂
I have picked up several books based solely on your reviews. I’m back to averaging a book a week.
One book I would love to reccomend to you is Anthony Bourdain’s “The Nasty Bits”. It’s a collection of essays from the celebrity chef on his travels. I know you have a mountain of books in front of you, but I finished his book in a day, so you should be able to plow right through it…when you can…:)
Manda~ Absolutely. Give me the dates because I still have some traveling to do next month!
Ruby~ You crack me up! I guess all’s fair in love and war because I don’t think I would ever read a football or video game book! ahaha!
Glass~ I have read everything of Anthony’s and love every word. I haven’t blogged about him because he’s not on “the list” – not yet at least! 😉 Nancy, are you listening?
Sorry, I don’t read your book reviews either 😡
that shouldn’t be a mean face, not sure why it came out that way 😛
Brian!!! Good grief I have missed you! Sorry for the public display of affection but it’s true! So, about the book reviews…does that mean I can write about you, too? hehe just kidding!
this book lover doesn’t always read reviews. its not personal i just like to decide for myself on the book. (and some are too smart for me, i’m in a chick-lit phase)
Sarah~ Believe me, there is plenty of chick lit on my list, too! 😉