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Original poster

Would you appreciate this or would you think it slightly creepy? (Gift-giving situation)

28 replies

pasturesgreen · 07/06/2019 08:05

Next weekend I'll travel to Italy to a literary festival where one of my favourite authors will be presenting her latest novel. I have an Austrian friend who's also a huge fan of this author, in fact we met on a literary forum and have been speaking on the phone or social media but never actually met in person. She would have loved to travel to the festival (fairly close to where she lives), but she has a previous commitment that weekend. She was fairly disappointed and said so not just to me but to others.

I was thinking of buying a copy of said novel and have it signed by the author for my friend, then send it to her as a surprise (I have her address as we've been exchanging correspondence). Total value of the gift (book + p&p) will be around £20-25, if that's relevant.

So, if you were in my friend's shoes, would you appreciate the thought (it's an author she loves and she was gutted not to be able to go to the festival) or think I was overstepping the mark massively, particularly since we've never met?

OP posts:
SnowsInWater · 07/06/2019 08:07

Sounds like a lovely, thoughtful gesture to me.

MrsKCastle · 07/06/2019 08:08

Sounds really thoughtful, not overstepping.

SevenWhinesForSevenMothers · 07/06/2019 08:09

Wonderful gift and not creepy at all!

Interested in this thread?

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Books
AnyFucker · 07/06/2019 08:10

Will you be my friend ?

Original poster
pasturesgreen · 07/06/2019 08:10

Thanks, I was thinking it's the sort of gift I'd love to receive, but then started second guessing myself a bit.

OP posts:
DameSquashalot · 07/06/2019 08:11

It's a really lovely gesture.

Original poster
pasturesgreen · 07/06/2019 08:14

Aww AnyFucker 😊

OP posts:
VanillaSugarr · 07/06/2019 08:17

It’s a lovely gesture and your book friend will appreciate it. And I’m sure that your friend will reciprocate in the future.

onalongsabbatical · 07/06/2019 08:20

Yeah put me on your list of friends, OP. You'd have my lurve for a book-related thoughtful gesture like that!

Readytogogogo · 07/06/2019 08:22

Lovely and not creepy!

Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 07/06/2019 08:26

It's a lovely idea.
I'd be bowled over if someone did that for me.

MrsMozartMkII · 07/06/2019 08:30

Lovely lovely idea.

heartshapedknob · 07/06/2019 08:31

That’s an appropriate gift; relevant to your friendship, thoughtful. How lovely!

Eistigi · 07/06/2019 08:32

That is lovely and very thoughtful, I'd love it!

Justaboy · 07/06/2019 08:39

Just here says, Just do it!

And what a lovely friend you are to have:)

Bluerussian · 07/06/2019 08:39

Sounds to me like a very good, generous idea. Go for it.

Angie169 · 07/06/2019 08:41

That's a lovely idea , can you be my friend too .
It would even nicer if you get the author to sign it to your friend .

Pinotjo · 07/06/2019 08:43

If someone gifted me a book we would be friends for life! I love it if someone even passes you a book that they had enjoyed and think you would enjoy it, I love a pre loved book

LiveFatsDieYoGnu · 07/06/2019 08:45

What a lovely idea, you are a great friend Smile

OrchidInTheSun · 07/06/2019 08:48

That's lovelySmile

implantsandaDyson · 07/06/2019 08:50

It's a lovely thing to do - I've done something very similar for a fan of a crime writer I see every once in a while and someone has done it for me Grin. A signed book is very thoughtful and in no way even slightly creepy.

IrenetheQuaint · 07/06/2019 08:50

I've seen a few creepy present situations on MN over the years, but this is very much not one of them! Definitely do this, she will treasure it (and you).

Soola · 07/06/2019 08:54

It’s a thoughtful and kind thing to do.

Slightlyjaded · 07/06/2019 09:09

You are friends.

Just because you haven't met in person, it doesn't mean your affection for each other isn't real. Like penpals in the old days

Plus you have a shared passion.

I don't think this is even a bit weird and it's exactly the sort of thing I'd do without a second thought.

ThanosSavedMe · 07/06/2019 09:12

Why would you think it creepy? This is so far removed from creepy, it’s a lovely idea