I admit that I might be a tiny wee socially anxious, but the answer to “what are you reading?” is sometimes really complicated. Here's an example.
If I am, for example, reading The Wars of the Roses by Dan Jones and someone asks me what I am reading I just have to say: “It's a history book about the wars of the roses”. A simple and concise answer, pure bliss.
But then if I am reading The Will of the Many by James Islington and someone asks me what I am reading, that's when I start to sweat and have no idea how to convey what the book is about concisely without rambling for 10 minutes explaining the story. Absolute dread of that happening.
Have you ever felt like this? How do you answer that question concisely when you're reading a novel difficult to explain?
by Charles_ULR
12 Comments
I maybe get asked what I’m reading about 1/200 times I go out reading in public. I don’t really worry about it.
Usually just Show them the back of the book and let them read it for themselves. If they have questions I will answer them then
Just reply with: “It’s a small rectangular object called a book. Makes no be be be be beeps.”
Before answering your question could you tell me what The Will of the Many is about please? I’m intrigued.
What are you reading?
– a book
– words
– letters
– sentences
– nothing, looking at you because you asked me
– I am not reading “what”, I am reading/just read <<word>>
“I’m reading a fantasy novel by an Australian author. It’s complex but good!” Don’t need to provide details, when people ask they don’t want a run down of the plot. Vague details do the trick.
Reading nonfiction gives you knowledge.
Reading fiction gives you wisdom.
Amen. Hallelujah
I just show them the book cover and then go back to reading.
I always just hand them the book itself and let them investigate if they’re curious. Sometimes they’ll ask “do you like it” or “how is it” after and I normally just say “idk still reading it :)”
If you’re struggling to answer you can say the genre. Most people who ask this don’t actually care about what you’re reading. They want to start a conversation.
Just say sci-fi.
I think most people are just making small talk and probably won’t care, unless it’s something they’ve read.
I don’t care either way. Thus, I just give a brief summary or say it’s hard to fully explain.
There several books I head that require some explanation to paint a picture.