Discussion: 5 Ways to Make Bookish Conversation

Have YOU ever been at a dinner party where there are awkward silences and you need a topic to break the ice? 

 Do you need a REASON to showcase your booknerdy self without being too obvious? 

Are you sick of non-bookish people saying 'Oh not that again' when you're fangirling over your fictional OTP?

Well do I have some tips for you! I can't guarantee they'll work in every situation, but hopefully these pointers will act as some sort of guide of how to bring up books in a conversation so that you can talk for hours on end about the latest developments in your current read, the next book boyfriend to salivate over, or make everyone read that one book you've been obsessing over since it was released. There's a time and a place for an esoteric literary discussion, but when you're around possible non-readers, sometimes you have to keep it subtle before going into the real bookworm talk.

Some phrases and possible methods of integration:

1. When a friend is talking about something daring/resourceful/funny they or another person did and you can think of a book character who acted in a similar way you could say:

"You know what? That sounds like something _______ would do"

Effect: This proves that characters are relatable and it could also get them just intrigued enough to perhaps pick up that book the character is from.

2. Talking about your latest celebrity crushes? Well, 9 times out of 10, someone from a book is going to be even better. Perhaps go in with saying something like:

"OMG I wish I had a boyfriend like ________. He's just so *insert positive qualities here*"

Effect: They may not have heard of the Chaol or Augustus or Jamie or Arin's in the bookish realm, but once they are introduced, you'll be having some epic book boyfriend battles in no time.

3. How was your weekend? - A typical question on a Monday. For most bookworms who aren't on a book buying ban (and even some that supposedly are), a weekend could be spent book shopping. And well, when a question like this comes up, one couldn't help but exclaim if the opportunity presents itself:

"I went shopping the other day and guess what I saw!? *pause* *wait for inquisitive 'Oh tell us!' before dropping the book bomb" _________ was on sale and it was the special edition!"

Effect: Yes, books are a cause of excitement, and hopefully once they see the beautiful cover in person they may be tempted to pick it out for themselves. (A Thousand Pieces of You especially would work well for this).

4. Book-to-movie adaptations are pretty popular right now - so why not capitalise on the opportunity to get your friends into reading the original first?

"You guys we should so go and see ________ this weekend. Oh, and if you haven't read the book you definitely should, I loved it!"

Effect: You now have the possibility of others to either fangirl with over how much you loved both, or rage with over what was horrifically changed. Either way, it makes for lively, book-related conversation.

5. Just go with the obvious.

If all else fails, just be who you are - a proud booknerd who makes no hesitation in blatantly fangirling about their latest favourite read, won't hesitate in making all their friends read said book and will lament over all the #bookwormproblems they are facing.

Effect: People should appreciate you for your perfectly bookish self, and if they don't - they have no idea what they're missing!

So - have you ever used any of these, perhaps without even realising it? What do you do to subtly (or otherwise) bring up books in a conversation?