Do You Like This Book?

A close friend began our conversation by saying she did not like a book I had recommended.

Though I often repeat, “A book is only as good as it is timely,” in this case, her comments led me to rethink how different readers respond to the same books.

Quite incidentally, after that conversation, a blog I read linked to “Fabled Bookshop” in Waco, TX. [1] It’s an independent bookshop and cafe, one that my daughter and granddaughter have visited and had told me about.

Online, this bookstore offers what they call “THE STORY BOUND SOCIETY––A Book Subscription for Every Character.” Here, you choose your character for a monthly subscription that will send you the kind of book you prefer reading.

What I found fascinating is the bookstore’s description of seven types of readers. (No judgment here!)

These categories are: Guardian, Pioneer, Storyteller, Explorer, Sage, Everyman, The Sleuth.

As the Enneagram describes personality types, these categories of reading tastes overlap and may point to other categories that contain favored books to read. (No judgment here!)

For me, this holds true, as I do not confine my reading to any particular category. But primarily, by instinct and inclination, I read as a Guardian.

“The Guardian is the reader who savors excellent literature of the highest caliber. They are known to explore elusive classics, heavy-hitting books, backlist gems, and literary fiction; they are the guardians of great literature. Ultimately, they desire to only read titles that are impactful, brilliant, and will stand the test of time. Their most-loved books could include All the Light We Cannot See, Jayber Crow, and Gilead.”

They had me at “Hello.”

With those three titles, the bookshop hit a home run. Gilead. Top five fiction, all time. And each of these three titles rise like cream to the top of my reading list, which means, I will, I have, I continue to read and reread great books.

From the other lists as well, I have read titles noted in the bookstore’s samples, though many titles, authors, and categories are new to me.

To read only one type of book would be like eating only one food, day after day. That could eventually taste like eating oatmeal without salt.

Conversation Starters

Interaction with other people’s ideas and viewpoints come as a welcome and helpful reminder.

While my friend and I concluded that the book I had recommended––one that had resonated so deeply for me––came to her at a bad time, she felt freedom to open the door to a conversation.

Our dialogue further led me to think about different types of readers with different reading tastes. People like different books the way they like different foods!

Billy Graham’s wife Ruth was quoted as saying, ”If Billy and I agreed on everything, one of us isn’t needed.”

So what kind of reader are you?

Check out this link to The Story Bound Society, and let me know how you would describe your reading character.

[1] https://fabledbookshop.com