It is very, very easy not to be offended by a book. You just have to shut it.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
I think good books have to make a few people angry.
It's a natural thing for people to say, you know, Who's in this book? I find myself get ting a little defensive. People come along and I'm waiting for that first question.
A book cannot apologize for what people may think it should be. It has to be authoritative. That's what I want as a reader - I want to be confident that the book will do its job.
I love books, and all the best ones are people analysing their own emotions. You can learn from that.
It's difficult to tell the truth about how a book begins. The truth, as far as it can be presented to other people, is either wholly banal or too intimate.
Words are power. And a book is full of words. Be careful what power you get from it. But know that you do.
As authors, we all have to learn not to be reactive to public statements about our books. It's really not our business what each reader thinks of them.
A book is a version of the world. If you do not like it, ignore it; or offer your own version in return.
The funny thing is, I'm not really a big reader, not a big fan of books in the first place.
It's a terrible thing for a book, when you feel like you're supposed to like it.