How can I convince my friend to read this book?

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Lisey Landon

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May 20, 2009
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Germany
My best friend recently started reading SK, she has read The Dark Half, The Green Mile, the Shining and 11/22/63.
Now, she watched The Stand, and she did not like it at all. I have explained to her, that the book goes more in depth with the characters, and that the movie/series is more interesting after you read the book.
I am so sure she would love the book, but she says she won't read it. It is one of my favorites, and I would love to discuss it with her, but I think it will be difficult to convince her...
 

Walter Oobleck

keeps coming back...or going, and going, and going
Mar 6, 2013
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Have you talked with your friend about the stories she did read? One of the surest ways of getting me to read a story is to have a discussion about another story and I recall some of those gab-sessions...say like under the carport at the Saunders House there on 2nd Avenue. Behind the post office. We'd talk about stories we'd read, favorite scenes, favorite lines, or maybe someone says something about a scene, a line in a story we'd read and your memory is foggy, but their exuberance and recall is such that you want to reread the story. And what that also does is motivate one to read other stories by the same writer. I'm sure you've also heard people say they heard so much about this story, whatever story it happens to be, so they just had to read it and find out for themselves. Or has your friend seen movies based on the stories she did read...and what was her take on those?
 

Lisey Landon

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May 20, 2009
754
3,966
Germany
Oh, we have discussed the other books, and she loves them. She hated Kubricks The Shining, and I was the one who suggested she read the book. She did, and loved it. After that, we discussed both the book, and the movie compared to the book.
What discouraged me, was that she said "I don't think the plot (of the movie) is very interesting". I can not understand how she can say that, because I know what other books and movies she likes. But then, I read the book first, and saw the movie after, and I have no idea what I would think about it if I hadn't. She is a director by education, so I can't really argue with her when it comes to movies, scripts, plot, production, etc.
I just need a way to make her understand that the book goes much deeper, and that there is so much more than the fight between good and evil. Because, I am positive she would like it...
 

HollyGolightly

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Sep 6, 2013
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Heart of the South
My cousin and I force each other read books - we call it Bossy Girls Book Club and we take turns forcing each other to read things - I was forced to read Twilight. I haven't forced King on her yet, somehow it doesn't feel right - like, if you don't want it, you are worthy of having it. BUT since your friend obviously likes King, maybe a bribe would work. Promise a fancy homecooked dinner during which you can discuss. I only have ya'll and my cousin to discuss books with - no one I hang with here reads. How did it end up that way? Anyhow, start a BGBC!
 

Lisey Landon

Well-Known Member
May 20, 2009
754
3,966
Germany
...the threat of violence is always an option...:loyal:
I came very close to using that option!
My cousin and I force each other read books - we call it Bossy Girls Book Club and we take turns forcing each other to read things - I was forced to read Twilight. I haven't forced King on her yet, somehow it doesn't feel right - like, if you don't want it, you are worthy of having it. BUT since your friend obviously likes King, maybe a bribe would work. Promise a fancy homecooked dinner during which you can discuss. I only have ya'll and my cousin to discuss books with - no one I hang with here reads. How did it end up that way? Anyhow, start a BGBC!
That is such a good idea! And, she won't force feed Twilight on me, she hates it as much as I do (Vampires do NOT sparkle!!). I could try to convince her to do make a BGBC!
She lives in Berlin, so I don't see her that often. But when we meet, books and movies are on the top of our topics list.
 

HollyGolightly

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
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Heart of the South
I came very close to using that option!

That is such a good idea! And, she won't force feed Twilight on me, she hates it as much as I do (Vampires do NOT sparkle!!). I could try to convince her to do make a BGBC!
She lives in Berlin, so I don't see her that often. But when we meet, books and movies are on the top of our topics list.
Here's how we do - she has to read the book I am forcing on her, while at the same time I am reading what she forces me to read - and then you have a long long phone call to discuss. Last time she made me read The Bronze Horseman (which I never would have picked up, but I really loved) and I made her read The Ha-Ha (and she said it made her depressed). I love our bookclub. I don't belong to an office one - other than here.
 

Lisey Landon

Well-Known Member
May 20, 2009
754
3,966
Germany
Here's how we do - she has to read the book I am forcing on her, while at the same time I am reading what she forces me to read - and then you have a long long phone call to discuss. Last time she made me read The Bronze Horseman (which I never would have picked up, but I really loved) and I made her read The Ha-Ha (and she said it made her depressed). I love our bookclub. I don't belong to an office one - other than here.
I think it could work for her and I, too. She sometimes buys me books, and I sometimes buy her books, so we are already almost there. :) On tuesday, we discussed a book I got for her, by a Norwegian author that I love. It was very interesting to see how different we felt about the book, although we both liked it. And, I am so glad that this forum exists, it is not easy to find other people who like to read.
Reward her with a treat after each chapter. Hershey kisses work well.
Yeah, I have had a lot of pets, so I know that works. ;) Maybe I should buy a clicker :p
 

blunthead

Well-Known Member
Aug 2, 2006
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Atlanta GA
I've found that people have strange, inexplicable excuses not to read a given sK title, then almost inevitably once read they forget all about their prior bias. The fact that her profession is film directing confuses the mission. I guess it's possible that if/when she eventually reads The Stand she'll like the plot better, or it at least won't be as much of a problem for her. I think staro's gotta a very valid point, anyway. If, Lisey Landon, it turns out you can't one day discuss The Stand with yer friend, well what are we chopped liver? :) We'll discuss it with ya!
 

Lisey Landon

Well-Known Member
May 20, 2009
754
3,966
Germany
Maybe she would at least give it a try if you loan it to her.
I will have to get a new copy then, mine is barely hanging on to it's cover...;-D
I've found that people have strange, inexplicable excuses not to read a given sK title, then almost inevitably once read they forget all about their prior bias.
Exactly!
 

Hall Monitor

All bars serve the Beam.
Nov 7, 2013
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New Jersey
I can think of two ways. Think of a scene or chapter that she might be drawn to. I just had a conversation last week with two coworkers who were casual King fans. We got into a brief discussion of heavy traffic getting stuck in the Lincoln Tunnel, which led to brief summary of the scene from the Stand. Both coworkers downloaded the book later that day and are working towards the scene. You could do the same if you can think of a character or scene that might be interesting to your friend.

The other is a more long-term option. If she decides to pick up The Dark Tower, you should nudge her that she would understand and enjoy it more if she knew the characters and events of the Stand, as at least one character has a major role in most of the DT books.

Most importantly, be gentle. The more you push, the more she may push back. A subtle hint here or there and she will find the beam on her own time.