I got to thinking that maybe the problem lies not in the people who don't read, are bored, and ask me questions about it. It's mostly me being not being comfortable in social situations, and using a book as a shield against those situations. Been doing that since I learned how to read.
Also I think it comes from that confusion that arises from seeing an ereader, and not a tablet or phone. When they realize you are not watching a movie, or chatting it up on Facebook naturally they must know what is going on with you.
I watched that video Kimmel did that poked fun at non-readers. Like most readers I was horrified at how many people couldn't name a book. But also I was irritated because the video seemed to be made so this Kimmell guy could get views, and look down on people who know how to read, but chose not to.
I pictured myself getting a camera shoved in my face, and being asked to name a book, and at first my mind drew a blank. I had to think "author", and then I could name what books I read of the author. Suddenly I remembered the argument about Ebooks vs real books, and how sacrificing the tactile sensation for the convenience of the digital download cost us something in retention. I was always convinced that wasn't me until seeing the video.
To combat this lost of associative tactile memory, and my own problems of being engaged in polite, but meaningless conversation I engaged in a quick crafts project with my ereader cover. Once you've deducted the cost of the lamination machine the sheets, and the velcro dots I used to affix it onto the cover it only runs me about 80 cents to do one psuedo book cover.
Now people know what I'm doing, and I just show them the cover when they ask what I'm reading. I'm also finding it easier to pretend I'm reading a physical book this way, and in so doing remember the book better as well. When I'm done the cover will go in a binder filed as completed books.
I won't go back to paper books because they are heavy, take up space, and were always a pain to transport, and I really do enjoy the convenience of ebooks. The only problem I forsee now is what happens when I decide to reread the Twilight Series, or an Anita Blake vampire book. Do I put on a fake cover to disguise what I'm reading, forgo the cover completely to face the "What you readin" questions, or make the true cover and just ride it out till the books' end?
