/lit/ - Literature

Just tell them “Call of the Crocodile.”

If you’re reading something you like, imagine the scenario and have a pat simple answer. They usually don’t dig too deep. “What is it, do you like it” and they rarely ask much else about it. I got a Hemingway recommendation after one exchange. I haven’t read it, but was glad to hear she liked it.

None of my Armenian friends asked about the Armenian history book I was reading.

>>17982268
took up at them confused. Tilt the book to look at the cover and read it allowed. Look back at them ALOUD. Then go back to reading.

Look up at them confused. Tilt the book to look at the cover and read it aloud. Look back at them annoyed. Then go back to reading.

>>17982288

>>17982245
Sharing a short description and a little bit of info tends to give them some context.

"I'm reading an odd one. It's about a blind guy discussing laws for philosophy."
"Which one?"
"Plato's Dialogues. Have you read it?"

Then, give them a little room to discuss whatever is closely relevant.

"Oh, have you been to X?"
"No. what is it?"
"Cute little coffee shop. I bet you will love it!"

Then you can probably make small talk from there. Informal scripts were a great help for me.

People generally aren't that judgemental. Just be honest about what you're reading and have good humour about it.

>>17982245
Just give a brief little summary. What'll make you look like a dick is saying the title and author with an air of gravity like they're meant to know who it is.

>>17982245
I just show them the cover. I always make sure it’s something non-strange when I go out.

>>17982245

Just think about it for two seconds and give a very simple description, be nice and don't get elaborate. If they're interested, politely give more detail if they want. I've been reading Habermas at work breaks for several months and the answer "it's a sociology book, it's about how people communicate with each other" is a truthful, non-condescending, and appropriate speech act in the circumstances, stuff he deals with in the book itself.

>>17982245
When I was a teen, I would read in my living room every day. My mom never asked what I was reading until she saw I was reading Lolita, then she had to question me about every little aspect.

>>17982245
>How do you answer this question without sounding like either a stammering autist or a pseudo-intellectual dick? Any time I'm reading in public and the person next to me asks what I'm reading and what it's about, I instantly fucking spaghetti.
Come and practice different lines here :^)
>>/17981288

>>17982700
>>17981288

>>17982245
>sounding like a pseudo-intellectual dick?
Honestly, I'm not reading anything particularly intellectual but to the average normie I'm going to come off this way anyway, the bar is unfortunately that low. I read on a Kindle, so if anyone asks I just tell them I'm reading Dune in preparation for the new movie, this is usually enough.