NEWS: Many lie over books 'to impress'

wonderlake · NEWS: Many lie over books 'to impress'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7776046.stm

Hmm, I don't think I've ever lied about reading, maybe because I love reading and always have something on the go ? I just feel I'd get caught out pretending to have read something I've not

I do find a love of books an attractive quality, and enjoy talking about books I've read (obviously!), it's also good when I'm able to pass on a book I have really liked.

Karen

I saw this this morning too. I'm with you, I could never pretend I'd read something I had not. I think lots of people fib about books they have read - saying something is brilliant because it has won an award when they could not really see what the fuss was about and would rather be reading the latest paperback thriller sort of thing.

annecater

I really cant see the point of lying about what you've read. Most of my friends dont read anyway so they would hardly be impressed.

I read for me - nobody else!

Daniela-26

I'm afraid that I have lied

but not to anyone who really matters! When I was studying my Degree I just couldn't finish Ulysses and I had to lie about it because I somehow managed to write an essay on it!!

Normally I'm very honest when it comes to reading - what's the point in lying about it? I know I'd get caught out!

heathera

I clicked on "no" for the poll but then realised that's not strictly true. I certainly don't lie about books I've read to impress people. I'm with you Anne, I read for me and not anyone else. However.... when I was studying A'Level English I struggled to keep up in places and lied about reading Jane Eyre when I'd only gotten about a third of the way through....

To make up for it I've read it twice since then!!

charlottestar

I've never lied about reading a book to impress someone. I just read for me!

When I worked in the bookshop and someone would ask for a recommendation I'd often recommend something I'd never read because I knew what was similar to what they liked but it wasn't to impress it was just to make them buy the book

wonderlake

Our guilty secrets: the books we only say we've read
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/mar/05/uk-reading-habits-1984

Gosh I think if they're having a 'slow' news day today, digging this old chestnut up again

* I have read Nineteen Eighty-Four as per the choice on here Aug '08

wonderlake

Actually this piece is a bit better:

Reading between the lines:
What choice of reading material would impress you in a potential date - and which book would be a big turn-off?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/mar/05/books-date-impress

According to a survey by ReadItSwapIt, a third of women would be "actually physically repulsed" by a man seen reading The World According to Clarkson.