Okay, there are books out there I really want to like. Usually this is because for whatever reason I have a really good impression of the author. It is hard to explain, but there is a “feel” you get from roaming the Internet (a habit I am trying to cut back on). Some authors give me a positive energy “good” feel and others, well, don’t. I want to read and love those feel good authors.
Am I weird? Do you try and read books by people you feel good about? How about those authors with a less than positive vibe? Do you read them anyway. What would put you off from buying someone’s book? Arrogance? Putting down other people? Being personally rude at a conference?
I haven’t decided yet for myself. I have a friend who is also an Internet surfer and in on all the “web” gossip. She says there are too many books out there to support someone she doesn’t/wouldn’t like. I already know I have broken this rule. From what I have heard Asimov was pretty darn arrogant, but let’s face it the man was a freaking genius. And basically, like the attitude or not everyone (IMHO) should read his books. But an author I’ve never read before? That is a much tougher call. But maybe I am following my friend’s example by first searching out books by people with the good vibe. Happily, there are enough of them to keep me busy reading for a long, long time. :)
I know exactly what you’re talking about. If you meet somebody (virtually or IRL) and you really like their personality, you automatically assume you’ll like their books. I have a friend who came up against this–liked the person online and IRL, but just couldn’t read the book. It really upset her.
I think somebody would have to be really, really awful to totally put me off buying their books. Their attitude might move them down my “must buy” list, but I don’t think I’d stop buying their books altogether unless their writing was as bad as their attitude was. But that’s just me.
by Lynn Daniels April 25th, 2005 at 6:51 pmI don’t know. I was just kind of given a cut by an author who will remain nameless. :) Anyway, I have never read her books, but I know I won’t now. And I met some really nice authors at RT whose books I will probably now buy.
by Lori May 3rd, 2005 at 5:40 amI am probably more susceptible to this than I originally thought. But like you kind of said, if it was an author I already read and really enjoyed, I’d probably still buy them unless it was a pretty personal insult to me or one of my friends.