Comments on: Are You An “Aggressive” Bookseller?

By: trish

trish — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:17:16 +0000

Yeah, I’m aggressive. I mean, I want to talk books and recommend books if the person’s a reader, but if they’re like, What’re you reading? and it’s a chick lit book and the person asking the question is some dude on the bus, then I’m like, Why do you care? Otherwise, I’m all about, OMG you HAVE to read (fill in the blank)!

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:32:01 +0000

I actually search for people looking at books I loved. If someone asks the bookseller for recommendations, I’ll chime in if I have anything to add. I love talking about books. I’ve had great conversations with strangers about all kinds of things and it all started with suggesting a book. This year I have sold multiple copies of The Elegance of the Hedgehog, just loved the book and love telling people about it.

By: Teresa Rolfe Kravtin

Teresa Rolfe Kravtin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:31:54 +0000

Yay, Jenn for being an enthusiastic book lover! How can you not share, when there is an obvious opportunity? I’m an independent sales rep, and therefore, I’m in bookstores a lot, and I love to engage customers in conversation. Having been a bookseller in my younger years, conversation is something that happens naturally in bookstores, and usually, an enjoyable experience is had by all.

By: Bri

Bri — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:31:14 +0000

I actually am a bookseller, in a children’s section and I will hammer books into people’s carts and hands in the blink of an eye. I have my favorites, Frindle by Andrew Clements, and newly discovered loves, plus classics (Mixed Up Files, Bridge to Terabithia). And I will do that to strangers too!

By: Dawn - She is Too Fond of Books

Dawn - She is Too Fond of Books — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 02:14:47 +0000

Yes, I talk to strangers … I get it from my mother I suggest/(talk about) books to people I know (and don’t) all the time, and usually bring a book or two to lend when I meet a friend for coffee.

By: Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)

Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:17:20 +0000

I’m not usually aggressive with strangers — I sort of like being left alone when I’m browsing books. But I am aggressive with friends/coworkers/family. If people complain about not having something to read or start talking about books, I love to suggest titles I’ve read or books I’ve read on blogs I think they might like. I suspect it’s a little annoying, but I don’t mind

By: Jenners

Jenners — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:43:03 +0000

Oh I do this too. I love offering my unsolicited 2 cents … and I find most people are thankful for the advice. You should get a commission!

By: Dona

Dona — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:13:18 +0000

I am a great one for trying to see what you are reading.. I love to mention books to people even if I don’t carry that book… I love going to book signings and meeting new authors and new people.. I am a romance reader… I venture a little ways away and I try new things but there are so many old favorites that I keep running back to… my Fav Author series is Cedar Cove by Debbie Macomber, then I like Robyn Carr, Fern Micheals,Diana Palmer, Rachele Lee, etc…There is a new book always waiting around the corner I am reading Last Kiss at the moment..

By: Melissa - Shhh I'm Reading

Melissa - Shhh I'm Reading — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:12:13 +0000

If I see people browsing a book I loved I will definitely mention that to them!

By: rhapsodyinbooks

rhapsodyinbooks — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:12:58 +0000

Actually if there were a person truly knowledgeable in a particular genre, and he or she saw me browsing there, I would love recommendations. One of the Borders I frequent has some sci-fi buffs, and they regularly leave little annotated recommendation cards all around, and I really, really appreciate it!