Word Pirates

The “New York Times” has an essay about literary dealbreakers. Is there a book that, if seen on the shelf or favorites list of a potential mate, would make you turn around and run?

We all have our dealbreaker lists, I’m sure. Although, in the throes of passion, these kinds of lists usually disappear until the relationship goes sour. While it may have once been refreshingly unpretentious to you that his favorite book was “The Seven People You Meet in Heaven,” now that he’s gotten on your nerves it’s solid proof that you were never meant to be.

Jessa Crispin of Bookslut, after saying she’s not too picky about what others read, sums up my position pretty well:

… if I went over to a man’s house and there were those books about life’s lessons learned from dogs, I would probably keep my clothes on.

I probably have a lot of people in my life, friends or more than, who break my little rules. In theory, I’d say:

– Too much affection for Ayn Rand and her philosophy gets you the boot (says the girl who’s been with not one but two men who want to marry Rand’s ideas).

– Please don’t love “The Secret” or “The Celestine Prophecy” (pretty sure I’m going to soon get copies of those from someone I know).

– I do not like those fairy tale fiction books by Gregory Maguire, “Wicked” and the lot! I do not! (I don’t think this rules out anyone I know. Does it?)

– Chicken Soup for the ___ Soul, unless it was a gift from your grandma.

– Self-help books or books about how to become rich make me go “ungh!” and be sad (Now I am jinxing it and the man of my dreams will dis me because I do not want to read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” aloud to him in bed.)

And more!
What are yours?

-Marcia