I was looking through books yesterday at the shops and saw all the Twilight books, which I know basically nothing about. What I do know is that I’m beginning to feel like I’m the *only* person who knows nothing about them.
Despite being almost broke and trying to save money, I almost bought the expensive book (Australian book prices are often completely nutty) just because I felt the need to be ‘up’ on what everyone else was reading.
Have you ever felt pressured to read something because ‘everyone else’ was reading it? Have you ever given in and read the book(s) in question or do you resist? If you are a reviewer, etc, do you feel it’s your duty to keep up on current trends? – BTT
I havre actually read books that everyone else is reading before including the Twilight books, and a few years ago, The Da Vinci Code. I do it on occasion and what really convinces me to read popular books is when someone I know has already done so. In the case of Twilight, a lot of people I know liked it and I decided to give it a try. It does not hurt to give a book a try, but at the same time, I do not have many bibliophiles for friends and the pressure tends to be for books we have similar interest in. If the book is critically acclaimed or won an award, I am also more inclined, but sheer bestselling numbers does not always pursuade me. Resisting reading a book is not the same as resisting watching a television show for me; maybe, it’s easier to stop reading a book or finish it earlier. I usually can find some or at least one positive in the books. As a reviewer, I feel there is no obligation to keep up with current trends especially since I read and review so many books that are old. I do like contemporary books too, but it does not mean I follow trends..