So....an acquaintance of mine loaned me a book. I didn't ask for it. It's one of those things, you start talking and they say, "Oh, let me bring in X for you! I think you'd like it!"
Well, I don't like this book at all! I've been skimming it, trying to keep up enough information so maybe I can say I read it. But even that is going to take too much time (I can't read as fast as our dear Member of the Month).
I've had it for a long time and feel the need to return it. And personally, now I want it off my shelf as it's going to be like that thing in the room that keeps whispering to me if I don't get rid of it. (Yeah, I'm a little neurotic. Have I ever mentioned that?)
Here's my question. What would you do? Have you ever had someone push a book on you that you really didn't care for? What did you say? Did you read it anyway?
PUTTING IT TO THE TEST, Harlequin Blaze, April 2008
UNLEASHED, Harlequin Blaze, November 2008
Join me on my blog at www.sizzlingpens.blogspot.com
or my web www.loriborrill.com
Lori - good to know you can read as fast as me
(personally I suspect that you forgot the 't in that sentence
)
but seriously just be honest - give it back, say you tried it but that her "voice" just doesn't do it for you but thanks for thinking of you
Reminds me of my boyfriend about twenty-something years ago and his Christmas gift to me - Buried Alive
- he thought that because I liked suspense I might enjoy it
Basically a book someone lends you tells you a lot about their taste and nothing at all about their ability to judge other peoples' tastes
Hugs
Sadhbh
May's Member of the Month
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
HI Lori!
I never accept books from other people, unless they don't want them back. That way they are easy to get rid of if I don't like them.
When someone offers me a book, I tell them honestly that I have 400 other books in my TBR pile and I might not get to it for a while. That usually shuts them up and they never ask if I've read the book.
I suggest you give the book back to your friend and tell her that you just have so many other books to read and you feel bad keeping this one for so long.
Good luck!
~ ElleJay - Team member of Novel Obsession
There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the pleasure is having lots to do and not doing it!
Doh! Yes, I meant I
Doh! Yes, I meant I "Can't" read as fast...thanks for the catch.
I appreciate the advice, and am finding your responses interesting. I like hearing how people have handled books being offered to them. I'm discovering as a published author, it's happening more to me lately--people bringing me books they want me to read. Ellejay, I may follow your lead in the future.
Part of my problem with this book is that it's got a faith element to it (my acquaintance's faith, yes), so I'm feeling as though her religion is being pushed on me, which is a peeve of mine. I mean, under different circumstances, if I'd expressed an interested in reading a faith-based book and this was offered as a recommendation, that would be one thing. But I feel like it's being slipped to me between the pages, though I know she didn't do it intentionally.
Hubby thinks I should skim the book, read the ending then fake like I read it. LOL! Knowing me (I'm a HORRIBLE liar, thus I don't do it often) I'd overplay my hand, sound too enthused about it and get handed another one the next day! (Sometimes, my life is a Seinfeld episode).
Lori
PUTTING IT TO THE TEST, Harlequin Blaze, April 2008
UNLEASHED, Harlequin Blaze, November 2008
Join me on my blog at www.sizzlingpens.blogspot.com
or my web www.loriborrill.com
This may be a weird point to make...
The first thing I thought when I saw this was your blog Lori: I don't think I would suggest a book to an acquaintance I knew was an author. If you were my best friend I would, but otherwise I would feel I should discuss your books not someone else's.
I am no help because I am a wuss and would have to read the book or feel guilty.
Angel
"I can fix a bad page, but I can't fix a blank one." Nora Roberts
www.angelinabarbin.blogspot.com
I have to agree with Angel.
It's pretty audacious to shove a book onto a published author. I know I wouldn't appreciate it (and I'm not even published yet). Luckily, I've been spared the dilemma. Even back when I was a journalist for my local newspaper no one tried to pass a book to me, unless I specifically mentioned a desire to read it (though they did try to give me 'ideas' for write-ups). If someone did offer me a book, though, unsolicited so-to-speak, and it wasn't to my preference, I'd have to admit that I skimmed through it, but was really too pressed for time to read it in full length. After all, you're an author, it's not like you have bunches of free time on your hands, right? Unfortunately there are still a lot of people who don't consider being a writer a 'real' job (I'm not saying this necessarily about the person who offered you the book). People still refer to me as a homemaker. It kind of eats at me, as it implies that I do nothing but clean the house all day, cook, and care for my daughter. Of course, I do do those things... when I'm NOT writing.
However, not knowing you personally, it wouldn't be logical to suggest what you should do, but only give my opinion of what I might do. If the person is a friend, he/she should understand your time crunch even if they can't understand your dislike for the book.
with Ellejay
If someone wants to lend me a book I tell them that I may not get to the book very soon. And then on the flip side my stepmother is talking about a book she wants to read and I recently got the book. She asked if she could borrow it when I was done. I told her I would lend it to her before I read it because with so many other books in the TBR pile who knows when I would get to it. Unread books I rarely lend out unless they are to family or people I trust.
Christa ~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Challenge Blog
My Shelfari Page
Hey ElleJay and Christa - people know the rate at which I
read and so telling them I have a thousand book TBR just lets them know that I can read it immediately if I really want to, and that either way this time next year I'll have got to it
However when friends ask me to read their typescript on a short deadline, I MAKE the time - I know Olivia (Gates) was surprised recently when she sent me the Damian that fell through the cracks when Bombshell ended, because I read it and then pointed out a few typos and she wasn't expecting the comments back so quickly. (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, Lori
no, I'm only joking 
)
Hugs
Sadhbh
May's Member of the Month
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
some cases
where I believe the book needs to be read right away I will make an effort
Christa ~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Challenge Blog
My Shelfari Page
I never accept a book from
I never accept a book from someone unless it is mine to keep...I am a total klutz and I am likely to spill on it ...even more so if it is a gift. One friend and I shared books but she was very close and nothing was an issue...we usually asked if we could borrow it, not just lent it out.
I read lots of faith books but even so, not all appeal to me. It's just the way things are. I would probably be honest. Otherwise you might find yourself the recipient of gifts you do not want. I have plenty of friends with different religions or no religion. I prefer friendships where people do not try to change me for my own good. I would try to be honest but sensitive to the other person but if I lose a friend over it, so be it. That being said, do listen to my friends of differing opinions at length...I might not read a book of theirs but I listen and learn.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
RE: WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
So I'm the only one here that takes the book, and then LIES and says, "I read it?" (I'm like the other poster who said she "reads" enough of the book so she sounds like she knows what she's talking about).
On a similar note, I stopped lending out my books, for no matter how good that particular book might have been for that individual's situation, the books didn't seem to make it back to my personal library for some reason.
"I went to a FIGHT the other night...and a HOCKEY GAME broke out!! "
HockeyDET@comcast.net
Personally, I would say
Personally, I would say exactly what you did....
"I've had it for a long time and feel the need to return it."
Extend a round of appreciation and if that doesn't seem to rectify the situation I would be honest and explain that although you are most grateful, at this time you are pressed for time and must attend to all the other things clamoring for your attention...namely life...lol.
Maybe offer when timing is better to take another gander at it? Or if it's something you truly are not interested in, you could explain as already mentioned that you tried however, it's something which just doesn't grab your interest and return the book.
Well, I'm a bad girl cuz I'd lie.
I would do similar to as your hubby suggested. I'd find a few reviews (if they are to be found) and read them. Then skim through both the beginning and the end.
Upon returning the book I would tell the person. Yes I read it. It was okay, but not the type of book I read all of the time. I do appreciate you thinking of me. That was really kind.
I've done it before. It works and also keeps the person from lending you another.
HockeyJock, that's funny....
And it might actually work...as long as they didn't start asking too many questions like - "What'd you think about that scene at the restaurant? How'd you think it would turn out?", or something to that extent! In my case, I could never pull it off as I'm NOT a very convincing liar because my face and neck turns beet-red, a definite giveaway!
I'm afflicted with a very pale complexion! LOL If you can imagine, this was an effective tool my parents used to figure out my 
prankscomings and goings.Lori, as a published author
Lori, as a published author you could let the person know that you appreciate their willingness to share, but between your dedicated writing time and your TBR it will be impossible to get to it in a timely manner.
Me? I'd probably be too busy stammering, blushing and gushing about your books to even consider passing off a book for you to read.
Nancy
sheandeen@gmail.com
It's so fun to hear how
It's so fun to hear how everyone would handle this. I wish I could be admirable enough to tell the truth. I guess I forgot to mention this is a coworker, so I've got to see her every day. That's the only thing stopping me from doing the honesty thing. If I blow it, my weekdays could be strained indefinitely.
Thus, I'm leaning toward Hockeyjock - LIE!!! LOLOL!
My friend at work who knows us both said I should wait until I go on vacation for a while, then leave it on her desk with a note. By the time I get back, she will have forgotten to ask about it.
Personally, anything passive and not possibly confrontational works for me. I'm such a chicken! LOL!
But after listening to all of you, I am most definitely NOT going to take another unsolicited book again. In the future, I'll just write the author's name and title down then say I'm going to buy it. (and then maybe don't, because honestly, I get most of my book recommendations from my friends here, thanks
)
PUTTING IT TO THE TEST, Harlequin Blaze, April 2008
UNLEASHED, Harlequin Blaze, November 2008
Join me on my blog at www.sizzlingpens.blogspot.com
or my web www.loriborrill.com
Lori,
I like the comment about leaving it on her desk when you leave for vacation. That would work for me. I'd definitely put in the note, though, that I appreciated her thinking of me, but next time I'd better just buy my own as my TBR pile is too big to be borrowing books other people want back. (or words to that effect) Hopefully that would keep things at an even keel at work, and also prevent her giving you any more unsolicited books.
I wouldn't even mention that I didn't read it. But if she actually asked, I'd say something along the lines of it isn't really the type of book that catches my attention. Not really coming right out and saying I didn't read it, but not really saying that I did, either.
I have found -- by experience -- that I no longer loan books out if I actually want them back at some point in time. I will "loan" books out if a person asks if they can borrow one, but only if it's one I don't want back. I have a good friend with whom I regularly trade books, so if someone else wants one I want to keep, I just say sorry, that's not my book to lend. My friend and I have discussed it, and she does the same thing. Though she goes through way more books than I do. She can read almost as fast as Sadhbh. . .
DonnaH