Kvetching. Maybe back.

[scarlettina]

Been eight months or more since I posted here. And why am I back? To kvetch.

I visited New York last week and had a marvelous time while I was there. One of the things I did was have dinner with a high school friend and her family. I met her husband and her twin sons. The boys are 21. One of them is a firefighter and aspiring EMS medic. One is planning grad school for something like bioengineering. The firefighter is a genre reader and apparently liked Harry Potter. His mom asked me to recommend some books for him. I told her I thought that at 21 he might enjoy something a little more challenging but with a similar enough flavor to keep him engaged. I wrote to her the following:

Well, at his age, he’s a little old for YA, so I’d suggest THE MAGICIANS by Lev Grossman. He might also enjoy NEVERWHERE by Neil Gaiman. Lastly, he might look at The Riftwar Series by Raymond E. Feist, which begins with MAGICIAN: APPRENTICE. I would also suggest THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern.

This is the response I got from him:

Hi Janna, I appreciate the list of novels you gave to my mom. I researched them all, but I couldn’t find what I was looking for. I know you are busy with work and other things as well, but when you have time, I’d appreciate if you can find me a book series that incorporates the following:
- at least a four book series
- can be something along the lines of Harry Potter, doesn’t have to be
- a decent amount of adventure, maybe mystery as well

After swallowing my incredulity at such a response, in essence being asked to do his research for him, I told him that if he searched on “If you liked HARRY POTTER, you’ll also like” and sent him on his way. I’m not his personal shopper. I recommended a trilogy, a series far longer than four books, and a couple of practically classic titles. He’s 21. He can find his own damn books.

Is this crankiness a sign of getting old? Is my response unreasonable? 

Comments

[madrobins]

Dear 21-year-old kid: Janna is not Google with an SF/Fantasy bias. Janna is a human with a life. Get one of your own.

PS: You "researched" the list of novels? Did you try reading the first chapter of each to see whether it worked for you?

Signed, FOJ/FOG

[scarlettina]

:: chuckle :: OK. I now feel much better. I was wondering if it was me, or if he really was being as presumptuous as I thought he was being. I went on to suggest the Harry Dresden series and the Magic Ex Libris books by Jim Hines. I also asked if he'd read sample chapters before writing the books off. Now, it's up to him.

[ironymaiden]

I adore those Jim Hines books but I feel like they're probably better if you are getting the references. (I had an actual physical reaction to Thread showing up.)

If he comes back, the Iron Druid books by Kevin Hearne would fit the bill.

[mimerki]

Did you try reading the first chapter of each to see whether it worked for you?

That was my first thought. Download the sample chapters from Amazon and see which of these things keep your attention. And, having looked at those books on Amazon, Amazon will then try to sell you other, similar books. Amazon's algorithm for that is imperfect, sure, but it's led me to some interesting books over the years.

[jreynoldsward]

Yeah, it's a case of "do your own homework, kid!" You're not out of line.

[girasole_ladyhawk]

I am a lot less kind. He was being an entitled manchild. I wanted to smack him, not just for your sake, but for mine.

[radiantlisa]

This was my reaction, as well. Wow.

[scarlettina]

He was being an entitled manchild.

I agree, hence my reaction. I'm glad to be validated by your response. His reaction was out of line.