The List (Part One)

There is one thing that I do not like to do as a teacher/writer/reader, and that is recommend books to read.  This usually happens at the end of one of my teaching contracts, or when a roommate finds that she has too much time available to do more than just watch TV.  They - students, staff, people stealing my food - know that I read.  They see the paperbacks that I flip through on breaks, on commutes; when I pretend to be listening to the same questions about a grammar point.  They think that I have taste because what I enjoy reading does not involve werewolves, teenage vampires, or wizards.  They want my advice.

So what should I give them?  I have made many mistakes, so I think that I am allowed to suggest certain ideas.  If your enquirer is a roommate, play things safe and keep that person happy with a paperback that they can keep in a pocket of their knapsack or handbag.  A friend once took one of my suggestions for reading and ended up lugging around a very heavy hardback copy of a book that had been available in paperback for over a year.  I did not tell him that he could have had a lighter copy.  I was too impressed with his devotion to the work.  A roommate will always be around and may not forgive you (see some of my other blogs on dealing with roommates).  A student may not forgive you, but the power is all on your side, so who cares (see my entry on being sick and dealing with students)?