Today’s Booking Through Thursday meme touches on something very close to my heart – the giving of books as gifts. Deb has split the question into parts as so:
Do you give books as gifts?
To everyone? Or only to select people?
How do you feel about receiving books as gifts?
The first two questions I can answer as one. Yes I DO give books as gifts. It’s means so much to me to give the gift of knowledge and reading and it gives me such a buzz when I do. Sadly however, as much as I want to give books to everyone, I can’t. A lot of people I know are not really into books and this is something that only seems to get worse as the world gets more more and ‘gadgety’, and the ‘shiny’ draw of other forms of entertainment vie for, and gain, people’s attention.
The most disappointing thing that happened to me last Christmas, was when I asked a nephew (age 9) how he enjoyed the book vouchers we’d given him? He answered that he didn’t even know what to do with them because he wasn’t really into books anymore. Arrgghh…he was only 9 and he was saying this? It was just so sad to hear it 
(.
Thankfully both of my daughters have grown up appreciating the value of books and reading, and although they fall hook, line and sinker for any and all gadgets (well they are teens so fair play), they’ve also got enough ‘book love’ inside them to be happy to receive a book or two (as long as they’re partnered with something like an iPod..groan!! )).
As for how I feel about getting books – OH MY GOSH!! If anyone gives me a book they become an instant best friend. I love LOVE LOVE getting books as gifts, so much so that it’s difficult to convey it in words. Provided they’re not celebrity biographies (I have an intense hatred for 99.9% of them), books are and always will be the best present that anyone can give me, simply for the same reason as I love giving books as gifts i.e. it’s a gift that brings knowledge and reading.
Anyway, I loved answering this question. It’s one that I’m sure many of us are going to answer in a similar way, simply because of our love for books, and it’s one that’s started to stir that flame inside; you know the one that makes you want to go on an evangelical crusade to bring reading back to the fore )
About Rob
Great answer – I couldn’t agree more!
Happy Thursday!!
I guess you’d better not give that nephew any more books. Not everyone is “given” the “gift” of the love of reading, and that is sad.
I love receiving books as gifts as well. Especially when the person has taken the trouble to match the book with my tastes. I like giving books as gifts and have fun picking out books I think they will like. But only if they are a reader. Some people just don’t appreciate books, so won’t buy them any. It’s sad the nine year doesn’t have a love for reading. I’ve been reading to my 9 year old since he was a wee babe. Books are so much a part of our lives, I can’t imagine not reading.
I’m spending a lot of time matching books to their recipients, especially those who don’t read much. I believe there is a book for everybody. Books are very personal gifts.
I’m a “piece of work” in terms of recipient of books. Over the years my friends have cringed from giving me books for my birthday owing to my eclectic taste. They also keep in mind that I’ve probably read some of the books they want to give me. Books do make perfect gifts, but by their very nature, books can also be a problem as tokens of affection. The delay factor is huge. Some books get a one-way ticket back to the used bookstore.
says:
@Sally – For the time being I’m sadly I’m reluctant to pass on any more book vouchers to my nephew. The fight’s not over though – I’ll keep chipping away at his anti-book veneer until something cracks..hopefully!
)
@Robin – Every child needs a mother like you! I foresee a son who is always going to love reading.
@Matt – I love your ‘book matching’ ethic. I can tell people who know you get some pretty exciting books. As for you as the recipient – I’d play safe and go the ‘book voucher’ route. You’d certainly be a lot more appreciative than my nephew
)