# What would an observer notice about you if you were reading a good book? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 17, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313 "2009-02-17T19:49:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/1 "2009-02-17T19:49:01Z")
In other words, what change in behaviour, if any, does a particularly good book cause in you while you’re reading it? For me: A good book is likely to be one which occasionally I HAVE to put down in order to let my brain process a particulat bit I’ve just read. It can be a clever joke, or clever concept, or clever reveal. But I just can’t carry on reading until I’ve stared up at the ceiling while my brain processes the information it’s just taken in. It can also be a book I find it difficult to put down. But these days I find it alarmingly easy to put a book down. Many (most) Discworld books have the stare-at-the-ceiling moments for me. So do many of the other books I’ve read. Notable Discworld books that have so far failed to do this (or even engage me much beyond reading for the sake of reading) are Truckers, Diggers, Colour of Magic, Strata. But they are exceptions to the rules. I love Discworld. I’ve also loved David Mitchell’s books, (but I am struggling with Number9 Dream), JK Rowling, and Tom Rob Smith’s Child 44. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/2 "2009-02-17T21:13:17Z")
I not only need to put the book down at the exciting bits, I also have to get up and walk around (or run around). Also, I burst out in alarming laughter at every mildly amusing comment. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/3 "2009-02-17T21:58:36Z")
Nothing. As a middle-aged, slightly overweight female, I am officially invisible. ---
**Author:** ![footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/9f8e36/32.png) [@footballisplayedwithyourfeet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/footballisplayedwithyourfeet)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/4 "2009-02-17T22:08:37Z")
If it is really good - mind you this doesn’t happen to often - you will see me getting more exited (sitting up, smile on face, tapping fingers), but actually get more into it. I will start to read faster rather than puting it down and you will have to set of a bomb to pull my attention away from it (maybe a bit exagerated). ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/5 "2009-02-17T22:16:06Z")
Probably scratching at my facial hair a lot. Sometimes eating the hell out of a bag of Doritos. An occasional chuckle or “hmmphing.” Maybe a fart. Makes you wonder what kind of pervert this ‘observer’ is. ---
**Author:** ![vison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@vison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vison)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/6 "2009-02-17T22:22:20Z")
> [@Mrs.Cake](#): > > Nothing. As a middle-aged, slightly overweight female, I am officially invisible. You, too? Actually, I am worse off, since I’m not middle-aged but elderly, not slightly overweight but quite overweight and have grey hair. Officially invisible, but a waste of space, just the same.☹ ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/7 "2009-02-17T22:30:31Z")
OK, Both of you. If someone did happen to be observing you, what outward signs would there be that you’re reading a particularly good book? Where I read, if someone were observing me, I’d be pleased, or worried. Pleased if it’s someone who had my consent to be in my bedroom with me at night. Worried if it’s someone who didn’t. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/8 "2009-02-17T22:31:16Z")
They would notice a perfect opportunity to try to hold a conversation with me while I’m not interested in talking to them, spacing their sentences just right so I think they’re finished and start reading again only to have them say something else. Naturally this conversation must be filled with the most idiotic and inane things possible and structured entirely around getting me stuck on one paragraph for fifteen to twenty minutes of their rambling. At least that’s what observers notice based on past experiences. ---
**Author:** ![vison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@vison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vison)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/9 "2009-02-17T22:38:36Z")
I’m told I’m oblivious to the outer world whist I’m reading. Unaware of crying children, pots boiling over, ovens on fire, guests wandering hostessless, that sort of thing. I believe this to be largely true. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/10 "2009-02-17T22:39:13Z")
**Just Some Guy** I have a colleague like that. He waits until I’m reading one of the more lengthy, technical, important emails. And when I am, starts pestering me because he can’t open a file, or he can’t find an email, or he doesn’t know what to do when X happens, where X is something that has happened exactly the same way four hundred million times before. Cats have their own characteristic version of this behaviour: A human reading a book needs to be nuzzled, or pestered for food, or the book itself looks like a particularly comfortable object to lie on. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/11 "2009-02-17T22:41:05Z")
If I’m reading something, you cannot get my attention. If the room catches fire, I won’t notice until the fire department drags me out. This is apparently common knowledge among my friends and relations. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/12 "2009-02-17T23:49:24Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > If I’m reading something, you cannot get my attention. If the room catches fire, I won’t notice until the fire department drags me out. This is apparently common knowledge among my friends and relations. Mine, too. ---
**Author:** ![SharkB8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@SharkB8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SharkB8)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/13 "2009-02-18T00:03:38Z")
A furrowed brow. Furrowed in concentration, not in WTFfort. Complete stillness. Only the eyes are moving. Maybe something nervous and involuntary, like a bouncing knee or chewing on a straw or you lip. ---
**Author:** ![carlotta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@carlotta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlotta)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/14 "2009-02-18T00:06:01Z")
The observer might notice instead of dinner being prepared, hot dogs and cheetos have been tossed to the children. Also that at every red light, I start reading the book I’ve been holding with my finger in the pages to hold my place. ---
**Author:** ![lizardling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@lizardling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizardling)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/15 "2009-02-18T00:37:12Z")
That I’m reading VERY fast. I was waiting for a friend to get out of the shower, so I picked up an Artemius Fowl book out of curiosity. When I reemerged at the end, I discovered that she was sitting next to me on the smallish couch, waiting for me to finish reading. I hadn’t even noticed her sitting down. 😃 To be fair, AF books are fairly quick reads, but also, friend knew that I was waiting on her to finish. ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/16 "2009-02-18T02:18:09Z")
I know I nod a lot. When I come to something I like, if it’s funny or clever or thoughtful or (especially) a particularly striking turn of phrase, I will nod to show my approval. Gah, when I think about this, I must look like an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/17 "2009-02-18T03:38:19Z")
> [@](#): > > They would notice a perfect opportunity to try to hold a conversation with me while I’m not interested in talking to them, spacing their sentences just right so I think they’re finished and start reading again only to have them say something else. Naturally this conversation must be filled with the most idiotic and inane things possible and structured entirely around getting me stuck on one paragraph for fifteen to twenty minutes of their rambling. > > At least that’s what observers notice based on past experiences. I know these people. They’re kind-hearted souls who see that you’re so bored that you’re reduced to reading to try to amuse yourself. So they try to rescue you by starting a conversation on some fascinating topic like the weather. ---
**Author:** ![iftheresaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecae2f/32.png) [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/18 "2009-02-18T05:28:38Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I know these people. They’re kind-hearted souls who see that you’re so bored that you’re reduced to reading to try to amuse yourself. So they try to rescue you by starting a conversation on some fascinating topic like the weather. My husband and I met when we both had yucky retail jobs at the same place. I viewed lunchtime in the breakroom as my opportunity to get back to my “real life” (i.e. whatever book I was currently embroiled in) and avoid ALL HUMAN CONTACT WHATSOEVER. My husband (back then just some dude I vaguely knew) initially tried to make small talk when we took our lunch breaks at the same time, but eventually realized that it was pointless to try and rouse me, and devoted our mutual lunches to staring at my boobs while I read. Not much has changed. ---
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/19 "2009-02-18T16:12:25Z")
I tend to walk around when I read…for that matter, I also tend to cook, eat, brush my teeth, or work on the computer while I read. If I could I’d read in the shower. You know I have a really good book when I’m doing any of those, because it means I can’t put it down for long. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313/20 "2009-02-18T18:29:38Z")
> [@GoodOmens](#): > > I tend to walk around when I read…for that matter, I also tend to cook, eat, brush my teeth, or work on the computer while I read. If I could I’d read in the shower. You know I have a really good book when I’m doing any of those, because it means I can’t put it down for long. If the Kindle was waterproof, that would make it worth the cost right there for me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-observer-notice-about-you-if-you-were-reading-a-good-book/486313.md?page=2)