To expect people I know to read my book?

I absolutely would buy it and read it and I have done when I’ve known someone who’s been published. I think that’s pretty crap of them and you’re right to feel miffed.

@Floralnomad Oh, I wouldn’t! I don’t expect my friends to buy my books. But nor do I expect them to want free copies; my comment was purely about that poster’s expectation of a freebie. I think OP is being unreasonable to expect her friends to buy her book and come to signings, and that that poster is unreasonable to suggest OP gives copies away for free.

@ClumpingBambooIsALie

I would avoid reading a book specifically because it was written by a close friend/family member. What if it's got a sex scene in it?!!

The girth of this lorry driver's male member was exceptional, apparently.

@theleafandnotthetree would you also feel it was your duty to support a friend by playing a video game they had a major part in designing (if you weren't fan of gaming), or going to watch their weird experimental monologue that lasted ten hours, or anything else you weren't particularly interested in that took just as long? I probably would read a friend's book because I like reading but not everyone does.

I an understand why not everyone would want to buy it but they could at least show interest. "oh its a proper book" is pretty condescending.
Congratulations

Someone quite close to our family published a book. Thing is, he sprouts a lot of shite in real life, I certainly don't want to sit and read it too. He gave us all a free copy...I still haven't read it.

Do you have anything important/interesting to say in your book?

YANBU - I would buy a close friends book as a souvenir even if I didn't admit to them I wouldn't read it. I probably would read it though.

I've even bought books written by my patients when they've told me about them. And I've read them

What's your book called ?

My friend has just set up their own business. It's not something I will ever need to use but I was there at the opening, I'm sharing the hell out of her social media posts and I've taken business cards and flyers to give to people.
I want her to be successful and I'm proud of her .

On the fence about this. I would expect your friends to be supportive and praise you and those who are interested in reading should read it, yes.

On the other hand, it can become a bit dominating. I have an old friend who is an author and who basically only talks about her books. When I meet up with her (which isn't very often) she literally only talks about them. And she treats her social media as one non-stop promotional tool. TBH its pretty offputting. It's got to the point where it is literally the only topic of conversation: I feel like she is just using her friends to pimp her books all the time and its made me switch off from it and from her. I haven't read the last 2 or 3 books because I'm exhausted by it.

I think with a first book its totally reasonable to be really excited and to expect your friends to share that excitement to a certain degree, but be careful about boring people with it or treating your social circle like free PR.

YANBU I would definitely read your book! Ricky Gervais, who I love, said he'd never read his partner's books and I thought he was a right wanker for that.

I think it's a bit mean.

The man down the road from me had a book published in 2020, and we had champagne and strawberries on the front lawn and everyone said they'd read it (which reminds me... I must get hold of it )

I bought our vicar's history of Christianity.

In my twenties I sought out a book of short stories written by a friend I hadn't seen for ten years - and it wasn't really to my taste. Her later academic tome is on my TBR list, when I've actually read something by the subject!

...though to be honest, in your shoes I'd have bought everyone a copy for Christmas

My late father was a well-published and well-respected writer. I have read two of his books - one because it was "expected" of me and one because I wanted to know if I'd have anything I wanted to ask him before he died. I didn't.

It was difficult to read his books; I was wondering "does he really think that?" and finding little family sayings and doings throughout which was very disconcerting. Apparently it's very common in author's families not to read their books.

It's your book. Not their duty.

*who sell via online platforms, I meant to add.

I wouldn't read it.

Fair enough, @theleafandnotthetree. For me it would be more important that my partner read it. As in I'd hang over his shoulder and squawk 'hmmm, only on page 63 I see'. I'd hope the readers among my friends might read it. But not all my close friends are readers. But I absolutely would have an expectation that they'd be excited and happy for me. Because that's what friends should do for one another.

Your DH bought it???

This post is a bit humble-brag. I'm guessing OP is less humble in real life.

Cos otherwise, surely friends would support you at your signing at least? But if you are the sort of person who doesn't give your DH a freebie....

You are in bookshops, OP, is that not validation enough?

YANBU, I would be disappointed too. Congratulations!

My friend has now written 4 books and I've read them all. I was in the first one (fictional but the character had my name) which was a lovely surprise. I'd always support a friend by buying their book and going to a signing

The "real book in a bookstore" comment isn't so weird to me, actually. So many people self-publish now, after all. I have worked with several self-published authors.

Congratulations, that's a massive achievement. YANBU, friends should at least show some interest.

What's it about?

I wouldn't necessarily expect them to buy it but I would hope they would manage to be vaguely interested, even if they couldn't get as excited as me. Sod them. Next time they have news and start jabbering on just say that's nice and change the subject.

My neighbour wrote and published 2 books. We bought and read both of them, even though I'd probably heard most of the stories in the autobiography before over coffee.
Unless it was a technical or professional book I'd always try to read something my friends or family had written and even if it was out of my sphere of interest or knowledge would encourage them.