Love and Books
Some years ago, I was awakened early one morning by a phone call from a friend. She had just broken up with a boyfriend she still loved and was desperate to justify her decision. “Can you believe it!” she shouted into the phone. “He hadn’t even heard of Pushkin!”
Thus starts the essay It’s Not You, It’s Your Books from The New York Times Sunday Book Review. What do you think? Is literary compatibility a requirement for love?
I think not. Kevin and I have been married thirteen years, and our tastes in books are as different as night and day. For Kevin, it’s all non-fiction history, and mostly about World War II. For me, it’s just about anything that’s printed in a book. 
And he doesn’t really like to talk about books. When he makes the mistake of asking, “What are you reading?” – his eyes glaze over after the first few sentences. He says, “That’s what you have Michelle for.”
That said, though, I do know that the former boyfriend who was the hardest to forget was the one who loved books. We traded books, read aloud to each other, and both dreamed of writing our own book someday – and that was a big part of our relationship.
What about you? Ever dumped anyone over their literary taste – or lack of it?
I was never dump nor did I dump anybody. But my husband is the same as yours. His eyes glaze over as soon as I start talking about my latest read.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:44 amI’ve never had to dump anyone nor have I been dumped. I do however remember my husband ogling my book collection back when he was just my boyfriend.
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:20 pmWell, having been a dumper many times and a dumpee once, I cannot honestly say it was ever over books! hahaha
Kevin hates to read. I do wish he liked it at least a bit, but he doesn’t. He will watch movies with me, though, and that is something
April 2nd, 2008 at 6:52 pmJennifer – That’s why book blogging is so great – I can go on and on about what I’m reading and know that there are people out there who want to hear about it!
Pussreboots – so I take it your hubby is a reader, too?
Lawanda – yep, my guy will watch movies, too, as long as they’re not produced by the BBC or adapted from an Austen novel.
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:54 pmI’ve been thinking of this ever since reading Wendy’s post and Ann Faidman’s book. I’ve never thought about book compatability. In fact almost every relationship I’ve had, books don’t even figure into the equation, other than they let me read in peace. Mostly. It did drive my second husband crazy when I’d read while he was watching TV.
But it’s never been the cause of a breakup.
April 3rd, 2008 at 12:24 pmCarrie K – it bugs Kevin when I read while he’s watching TV or a movie, too. Mostly because I’ll be half-watching, half-reading – and then I’ll look up and say something like, “Wait, who’s that guy?”
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:35 pm