Let’s Talk Bookish: Why do People Lie About Reading Books?

Hey, everyone! I hope you’re all doing well. This is like, the first time ever that I’ve managed to do LTB three weeks in a row. That’s an accomplishment. So, let’s get started!

Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme created by Rukky @ Eternity Books and is hosted by Rukky and Dani @ Literary Lion where we discuss various topics and share our opinions. Today’s topic is Why do People Lie About Reading Books? (suggested by Jillian @ Jillian the Bookish Butterfly).

Some people will say they have read books when they really haven’t; why do you think that is?

Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t really see the point of lying about reading a certain book. If someone starts talking to you about it, and you haven’t read the book, then you’re going to have no clue as to what the person is talking about. You may even get spoilers. Actually, you most definetely will get spoilers. The only reason that I can think of as to why people would lie about reading books is that maybe they don’t want to be judged for not having read a certain book. Maybe the book is really popular or it’s a timeless classic and other people will be astonished that they haven’t read it.

Have you ever personally lied about reading a book?

I can’t remember any time that I have, so I’m going to say no. I probably have lied about reading a book, but it may have been because I mixed it up with a different book, which I know for certain I’ve done before. But in my memory, I haven’t lied about reading a book.

How do you feel about people who lie about reading books?

I don’t really have any different feelings towards people who lie about reading books, I have nothing against them. That’s mainly because I don’t know anyone who lies about reading books. Or if I do, I don’t know about it. But if I did know someone, I might be slightly. . . annoyed, I guess. If you want to have a conversation with someone about the book, but they didn’t read it, it’s kind of one-sided.

Do you think there’s a certain type of book people are more likely to lie about reading?

Like I mentioned above, people may be more likely to lie about reading books that are super popular or classics. I know I’m surprised when someone hasn’t read certain books, like Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. Those are two series that I’m pretty sure you could mention to any random person and they’d known what you’re talking about. Other books like To Kill a Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice, or Jane Eyre are classics that a lot of people have read, and that someone might lie about. I, for one, have not read Pride and Prejudice or Jane Eyre.

There may also be books that people might lie about because they don’t want to read them. They’ll say they’ve read it so others won’t keep suggesting it to them. I know for me, there’s a lot of popular series I’m probably never going to read, either because I don’t have time or I’m just not interested in them. I probably wouldn’t lie about it, but I can see why some people would.

Conclusion

This post was a lot of fun to write. I honestly don’t understand what the point of lying about reading books is, but I do get that some people will do it. I have nothing against them, I just think it’s slightly. . . pointless.

What are your thoughts on people lying about reading books? Have you ever lied about reading a book?
Chat with me in the comments below!