The Booking Through Thursday question for today is:
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?
Curious, maybe, but not pressured. I am influenced by the recommendations of other people I trust and keep a list of those titles to possibly check out, but I don’t feel the pull to jump on the latest literary bandwagon. I prefer to do my own thing. Usually, in fact, I am disappointed in whatever is making the latest buzz in the book world.
If I were a paid book reviewer, that might be a different story — it would depend on who I was working for and what they wanted me to cover. I mostly just review books I like, and as Meghan said, even older books that aren’t well known. In fact, I take pleasure in telling people about those “hidden treasures.”
Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme which can be found here.
Stray Thoughts 
Reading should be FUN.
Yes, you’re right… Being “pressured,” and having your interest raised, are two different things. I’ve been introduced to certain books by others and loved them, but I read them because they interest me — not because they’re the most popular at the moment.
I am not a bandwagon kind of reader either. I like a wide variety of books but am a pretty picky reader. I have picked up certain best seller list books, read a page or two and then put it down. A book has to capture my interest and attention, if not, I move on.
Yeah, I agree – curious is what I feel, not pressured. If I’m not interested and I don’t have the time, I won’t bother, but otherwise it’s nice to know what’s going on out there.
Great answer, I agree that I don’t give in to the pressure of the hype. However it always makes me curious to find out about the book. If it interests me, great! If not, I just go on to my next book.
I love when I get people reading lesser known books!
I like your answer, Barbara. I, too, love reading lesser known authors or books. An example: Regatta by Libby Purves. It’s a great book about family reconciliation, courage, etc. It’s an old book but a great read.
Nah! I check out the NYTimes best seller list each week in the Washington Post, just to see if anything new strikes my fancy – but most of the time I get my new books or authors from discussing books with friends that I’ve read and liked and then they say oh! If you liked that then you should try this! and that’s how it goes. It’s not necessarily what’s popular at the moment – but somethat that meets my interest! For instance… I STILL have not read Bill Clinton’s autobiography — and I’m probably the only person on the planet that hasn’t!