Today's Musing Mondays: With the holiday season now upon us, have you left any hint – subtle or otherwise – for books family and friends might buy you for Christmas? Do you like to receive books, or do you prefer certificates so you can choose your own?
Hmm. Well, I do like getting books, that is a fact, but for some reason people never seem to know what to get me! I've taken to giving my parents selections from my to-own list, so as to spend less on books myself, and of course there's always a person or two throwing a gift card my way.
As to preferring books or gift certificates... that is a really tough one! Let's weigh the pros and cons:
Books: 1) Are awesome. 2) Mean that the gifter has actually thought about what I would like! 3) Give me new things to read that I might not have got for myself.
Gift certificates: 1) Are also awesome. 2) Mean that I don't have to worry about returning books I've already got. 3) Don't give me that sense of obligation to read something because someone gave it to me.
Well. Blast. I think I do prefer books overall, mostly for that number 3. Generally, when I buy books for myself they are books that I've already read and loved; when I get books from other people I get to have shiny new stories! And if the book is a dud, I can trade it in for credit at Mac's Backs and then I can have shiny new stories for used-book prices! Delightful.
5 comments:
if someone really knows you and gives it a lot of thought, yes, they might buy you a swell book....or not.
gift cards are somewhat impersonal, but so much fun to spend.
I definitely prefer gift cards. Any time I've been given books, I either had them already or had no interest in them.
I prefer gift cards so I don't have to feel guilty giving away a book received that I will never read.
I haven't left any hints. I have a kindle--so I just buy books when I want them. I do like to get books for Christmas--it's fun to read them through the holidays
Hi Alison
May I invite you to write about your favorite books at www.bookdrum.com, where you can add information, images, video, music and links to illustrate and explore the books.
Right now, we're running a $3,000 Tournament and we'll be offering contract work to the best entries.
Best wishes
Hector Macdonald
Editor, Book Drum
Post a Comment