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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect people I know to read my book?

464 replies

bethc765 · 04/02/2022 15:32

In October I released my first book. It's something I've been working on for a long time and something I've dreamt of since I was little.

It's been really well received, got a brilliant critical reception and I've had excellent feedback from readers.

But not a single person apart from my DH has even bought it. I was out with a friend recently and we went into Waterstones and I pointed it out and she remarked "oh i didn't realise it was a proper book and in shops and stuff".

I have a signing event coming up in March and mentioned it in passing and my friends seemed perplexed as to why anyone would want a book signed by me.

I support my friends with their endeavours so I'm a little bit hurt that nobody I know has shown the slightest bit of interest in something that was really important to me. I'm not even asking them to read it- just pretend they have!

OP posts:
Tink626 · 04/02/2022 15:34

YANBU

Congratulations on your book! It's a major achievement to get a book published.

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 04/02/2022 15:34

YABU. People have their own budgets, time commitments etc. It's great you are published, but I wouldn't expect someone to buy and read your book just because they know you.

Twixie2022 · 04/02/2022 15:35

YANBU - Well done OP! It’s something I would love to be able to do! Massive achievement! Xx

Thesearmsofmine · 04/02/2022 15:36

YANBU, even if they don’t enjoy reading they should be supportive and interested. Well done OP it’s a huge achievement.

FiloPasty · 04/02/2022 15:36

You need new friends!

Itsalmostanaccessory · 04/02/2022 15:36

I didnt even tell my friends when my book came out. Wrote under a different name and everything.

I wanted to wait and see what the reviews said!

I might tell them now... but I dont want them to feel like they need to read it and report back.

ClumpingBambooIsALie · 04/02/2022 15:37

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?!! Grin

Iamanicepersonreally · 04/02/2022 15:37

I think you're being a bit precious.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 04/02/2022 15:37

Congratulations on getting published!

However, YABU to expect people to buy it and read it if they don't want to. A friend of mine writes - I read a sample of her first book, but it's really not my type of novel and I wouldn't like to feel pressured into buying it just because we were friends.

HacerSonarSusPasos · 04/02/2022 15:38

Oh OP, that sucks and I would be a litte sad if i were in your shoes too.

Is it fiction or something that would appeal to the majority of people? The only cirscumstance in which I would give them the benefit of the doubt wod be if the book's subject was some kind of niche that most people can't relate to (like the dietary habits of 12th century monks or something).

HacerSonarSusPasos · 04/02/2022 15:38

Would be*

cultkid · 04/02/2022 15:38

I'm looking for a new book to read, I'll support you. What is it?

Frazzled50yrold · 04/02/2022 15:38

That's quite sad and disrespectful and I'd look at the friendships to be honest

1AngelicFruitCake · 04/02/2022 15:38

I’d love to write a book! How long did it take?
To be honest I think it’d be more appropriate for you to give them a copy but perhaps that’s just me!

BobHadBitchTits · 04/02/2022 15:39

Where's the book signing? I'll come!

Seriously, what's the book about?

cultkid · 04/02/2022 15:39

yanbu they are not supportive if they don't buy and read the book

AppleKatie · 04/02/2022 15:39

I would buy and read some (all if it was good!) of a book by any of my family or friends - a desire to be supportive coupled with outright nosiness would ensure it! You’re right OP it is weird that they aren’t bothered at all.

Wreath21 · 04/02/2022 15:39

YANBU in the least and good luck with your book. I have written a book or two as well, and got similar bewilderment and indifference from some people.
(BTW, is your signing event in the Midlands?)

AllOfUsAreDead · 04/02/2022 15:39

I'm half an half on this.

Maybe it's not the type of book they'd be interested in reading. Or they just don't read a lot anyway.

However they should be supporting you still. Maybe not buying it if they don't have the funds or wouldn't read it (although I'd buy a first edition on the off chance it became famous..) but at least coming to your signing, saying well done and congratulating you.

SheWoreYellow · 04/02/2022 15:39

Aw. How did your friend not realise it was a proper book though? Do you need to put a photo of it on a WhatsApp group chat or something? Like ‘amazing to see it finally on the shelves’.

StrychnineIntheSandwiches · 04/02/2022 15:40

Massive achievement, well done!

I'd certainly read a book written but a good friend, presuming it wasn't a technical manual or an academic textbook.

Do you think there may be a bit of the green-eyed monster at work? The exaggerated 'oh, it's an actual book you can buy in bookshops?'. And surely everyone knows books signings are a thing for many authors. Even if they weren't readers you think they could at least muster some enthusiasm for you.

At least your DH read it. That's the important one!

ClumpingBambooIsALie · 04/02/2022 15:40

the dietary habits of 12th century monks or something

To be fair I'd find that pretty interesting.

toastofthetown · 04/02/2022 15:41

You are being unreasonable to expect them to read your book, but I understand why you are hurt by it. If they are your friends they should be supportive of you, even if they don’t want to read it. Personally I’d dread it if a friend asked me to read their book, because I wouldn’t want to have to report back and pretend I liked it!

Tesoroxx · 04/02/2022 15:41

I write under a different name to my own. I would hate close friends and family to know they're my books Blush

LavenderAskew · 04/02/2022 15:41

Well that's weird.

I mean I think I'd understand if you'd self-published, but the fact it's in the bookshops it's really odd no ones though.

I've had a friend have a book published - won't lie the subject didn't interest me too much (or at all...) - but I went to the launch and bought it and she signed it!

Well done - tell more (other) friends about the signing!