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LexiiConn t1_jd9ft86 wrote

Unless someone made it very clear that they wanted a specific book, I wouldn’t give books as gifts. Not even to a bona-fide book lover. I think it would put too much pressure on the recipient to read, enjoy and report back to me. Suppose I picked a book they didn’t like. Would they feel obligated to finish it?

I’m not much of a gift giver, though. Unless I am thoroughly comfortable that I know the recipient’s tastes, I tend to give gift cards. And often, I give the ones that are not tied to any one store or business.

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BwanaAzungu OP t1_jd9hfnv wrote

I like to give something with some personal touch, so I usually don't go for gift cards. In particular the more generic ones; at that point, just give the money (but I'm cynical like that).

As for books, tho:

I once went to a birthday party of an enthousiastic reader. He's comfortable with his own taste in books too, and doesn't like to veer outside of it. He likes books, it's a well-known fact about him; most people know what his favourite authors are.

So inevitably, when one of his favourite authors published a new book, he got five copies as a birthday present from five different people. (Edit: of which he had to keep one copy, and return four. So he had to choose which copy to keep and potentially offend someone, and ask the others politely for a receipt of a gift they thought was thoughtful)

I just gave him a book voucher. A book everyone knows you want, you'll get from everyone. I rather give something so you can get the book I don't know you want.

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LexiiConn t1_jd9irto wrote

I know what you mean about “personal touch”. I’ve been lucky that, lately, many of the gifts I bought were for weddings and baby births, and the recipients had registries. Whew, I was so glad to see them!

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BwanaAzungu OP t1_jd9kbey wrote

I used to feel greedy when making a wish list, but now I consider it common courtesy

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