'You should write a book'

[Bunnynames101]

Am I correct in thinking this is an insult of sorts, or a 'polite' way of telling someone you think they're talking BS? Or do you say it when you genuinely think someone should write an actual book?

So

YABU - it's meant sincerely, recipient should write a book.

YANBU - it's a way of saying you think they're talking a load of rubbish.

Sorry for hijacking AIBU for the voting...

Neither. I think it's a way of expressing an element of shock at how many things happen to/around that person.

Also, can be said by the person themself to acknowledge they realise that they keep having things happen.

Need to know more about the context and the tone.

Depends on the context.

Some people have great stories, have met interesting people or had a first hand insight into a piece of history from an unusual angle. I’d tell them to write a book so their stories aren’t lost.

Somewhere in the middle. I've said it to people who have an engaging way of recounting ordinary events.

I've said it to people when I've had enough of hearing their stories. It doesn't mean I don't believe them, but it's hard to tell someone that you're not interested any more.

Depends on the context - are you full of BS? If so then it may be on the sarcy side.
have you genuinely had an interest life? Or are you creative or good at telling stories? For entertainment? Then it could be that.

It can be anything - sincere, vague politeness, a brush off because the listener is bored of hearing stories, or a snide way of saying the person is talking BS. But I’d say the latter is the least likely.

Requested context: My early life experiences were far from textbook. Lots of adversity but I've got to a (now thankfully comparatively boring) point in life where I can approach much of it with humour. So in conversations with friends, none of whom came into my life until after the adversity was over, when we are sharing stories of 'adventures past', I often get met with 'you should write a book'. I take it as not being believed and I shut up. I'm not a liar but I understand why some might think as such, I genuinely just had wayward teenage years and 20s.

In that context I’d imagine it’s a way of expressing surprise at how different you are now. Their idea of your past and the road you’ve travelled doesn’t match with what they know of you. I wouldn’t take it as a negative.

If there were some unusual parts of your past (e.g living in a commune/being a family of hitchhikers) or you’ve overcome obstacles that are a bit out of the norm, it can be surprising enough for other people to find it fascinating. Especially if your life now is drastically different. Take it as you’ve led an interesting life and the people you tell are genuinely intrigued by your story.

It would never even cross my mind that they were implying I was lying.

Why would you think that?

Has someone else on the past said they don't believe you?

Just take the compliment (and think about writing!)

They don't think you're lying. It's a cackhanded way of validating that you've survived a lot.

Unless they're arseholes.

I had a lot of people saying that to me. Never took it as an insult. And I did indeed write a book.

Perhaps they’re expressing that you go on about the adversity a fair bit or perhaps they find your tails of woe fascinating. Ask them?

Got to admit, the only time I used it was when I meant “you should write this lengthy monologue down instead of droning on at me”. Sorry.

I feel the same and have had the same reaction OP.

I had an unconventional upbringing. I felt very shameful about it for a long time (as a cuild and teen I desperately wanted to fit in). Finally in my 30's and 40's I felt confident to talk about it openly (my upbringing was not necessarily negative, but different).

And I sometimes get the "you should write a book" response, which shuts me up immediately. All the age-old shame comes bubbling to the surface.

I would honestly take it as they are being a bit sarcy coz they're bored with hearing you go on @Bunnynames101 ... That's what I would say if people were annoying me with their anecdotes about their oh-so-exciting life, that they assume is waaaaaay more interesting than anyone else's. JMHO.

My mum is definitely one of those who should write a book, but you wouldn't believe what you were reading unless you actually met her 😳.

Writing a decent book is bloody hard work. Imo it's just one of those meaningless things people sometimes say.

I've used it to mean that a person is saying something interesting, or engaging. I don't mean it literally, although if they wanted to write a book I'm not gonna stop them.
Rarely I've said it in a sarcastic way to someone that was obviously bs-ing, or rambling on.
I would think you would fall into first category based on what you are saying.

I've only said this to one person and I genuinely would have bought and read the book she'd had a really fascinating life and was a great story teller. I think if someone said this meaning they think it's BS it would come across with sarcasm and a bit rude and dismissive rather than polite. I think usually it's just a sign that genuinely someone is thinking wow can't believe that happened.

I've only ever said it in a "wow you've had such an interesting/dramatic/unusual life" "wow you've had a lot happen to you"
Definitely never because I'm bored.

Or lying! Definitely never thought that.

In that context, I don’t think they were seriously suggesting you write a book and I don’t think they were suggesting you were lying either. I think it was just another way of saying “you have had a lot happen to you” or similar, a turn of phrase.

The only time I say this is when I truly enjoy someone's writing.

I never thought it'd be used as an insult.

Would you like to write a book? If you’ve come through the adversity, made it to where you are now with a sense of humour intact then maybe people would be interested in your story.