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How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

Created: 04/12/14

Replies: 17

Posted Apr. 12, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

At the beginning of the story, Amelia says she is considering quitting online dating. How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online? Is it relevant to the story that Amelia meets her eventual husband in a very analog location, a bookstore?


Posted Apr. 14, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
djn

Join Date: 05/19/11

Posts: 93

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

They are similar because you dont always know what you are getting...I cant compare them though because I can always get rid of a book I dont like but it might be harder with a person, just like Amelia. Buying books on line is one of the enjoyments in my life.


Posted Apr. 14, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
donnac's Gravatar
donnac

Join Date: 03/26/14

Posts: 139

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

Hi, djn. Are you at all influenced by the cover and heft a physical book in ways that you may not be by the picture of a book's cover? I know I am. For instance, with the Fikry book, I would buy the physical book in an instant if I just saw it in a bookstore window because I like the typeface/font of the title. (Donna Chavez)


Posted Apr. 15, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joyces

Join Date: 06/16/11

Posts: 410

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

I think these two things are sort of like the old adage about comparing apples and oranges. Not the same thing and not comparable. We buy books for reasons like past experience with and author, or a genre we like or a subject that we find interesting or because we read a reviewer we respect or talk to a friend who's opinion we value. Online dating is taking a lot on faith in the sense we have no idea if the way a person portrays themselves online is the reality of who they are and dating is a very real life situation with some very real risks. A book is going to be something you enjoy or not but is really never going to directly affect your life in a terribly serious way if you do not like it and poses no risks.


Posted Apr. 16, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
djn

Join Date: 05/19/11

Posts: 93

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

Doona c I am more influenced by the title then the cover, but I must say I find my I books much more appealing since they are putting the covers on the books...I really am more influenced by what people say about the book after they have read it.. I have to be careful about judging the book by its title sometimes I am delighted and other times disappointed


Posted Apr. 17, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bettyt

Join Date: 05/12/11

Posts: 228

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

They are somewhat alike. You may buy a book on-line based on how the cover looks, what others say about it. Or worse, what publisher says. Then as you start reading it you may find it isn't for you, or it takes a while to grow on you, or you immediately love it. With dating on-line one often goes at first by appearances. Then you read what the person has posted. Truth? Lies? You start a relationship on-line. It may fizzle out quickly or you stay with the on-line correspondence trying to determine if you want to meet this person. Perhaps you feel an immediate connection, or you struggle to find one. The anticipation may build until you meet the person. Then you may be disappointed, thrilled, or find the person just so-so.


Posted Apr. 17, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Gin

Join Date: 10/21/12

Posts: 32

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

I've never taken part in online dating although I have several friends who have. The way I buy books on line may be different than others but, I don't see much comparison between the two. This is probably because when I buy a book online I'm looking for a specific title not shopping for something to read. It seems to me that if one is looking for someone to date, there would be a lot of looking around.


Posted Apr. 17, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
terriej

Join Date: 07/28/11

Posts: 422

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

It's an interesting comparison. Dating is an act of discovery and reading a book is the same.


Posted Apr. 18, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
maggiep

Join Date: 03/28/14

Posts: 17

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

When buying a physical book I like to thumb through it and read random passages, basically checking to make sure I like the look of the book. If a book isn't visually appealing, if I don't like the font, I won't buy it. I also make sure that random paragraphs pique my interest. I can't do any of that when shopping online. That compares to online dating. I can go by appearance, but am unable to check what is under the hood, I just have to go with the information on hand. This probably explains why if I buy a title I haven't heard of before finding it online, it tends to be a light and inexpensive title.


Posted Apr. 20, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
carolyna

Join Date: 08/14/11

Posts: 25

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

Oh boy can you tell my age! I never buy anything on line..too much trouble if I have to return the item. I like to appraise the item first before making a commitment! That's why I only shop at bookstores. I have gotten books on my kindle only after I read the sample first.


Posted Apr. 21, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
caroln

Join Date: 04/14/11

Posts: 101

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

I agree with Joyces - its comparing apples to oranges. Whenever I purchased online, it is because I have read several reviews and know I would like the story, have seen it at a bookstore and was anxious to read it. I purchase online for convenience more often than not. I don't or won't do that if I decided to date online. Perhaps Maggiep said it best when she said online dating leaves one unable to check what is under the hood.
And further the online dating is a self review and places like Good Reads or Amazon the reviews are broader,
and less self serving.


Posted Apr. 24, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bettyt

Join Date: 05/12/11

Posts: 228

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

I like maggiep's response. When I buy online I can't really get beyond the surface. I know only what the site chooses to show me. This is true of online dating. It's more about the looks and what the person chooses to tell you.


Posted Apr. 26, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Jan Mays

Join Date: 07/16/11

Posts: 13

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

At least when you're buying a book, you know what you're going to get!


Posted Apr. 26, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Jan Mays

Join Date: 07/16/11

Posts: 13

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

At least when you buy a book on line, you can be pretty sure of what you are going to get, AND can read others opinions about the book before purchasing. Dating on line, the only opinion you get is that of the potential date.


Posted May. 14, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
LeahLovesBooks

Join Date: 04/08/14

Posts: 69

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

Too bad these forums can't be more in person for single readers to meet and greet in person and who knows what it could all lead to!!!!!


Posted May. 26, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
AnneM

Join Date: 04/07/14

Posts: 1

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

Buying anything online (books, dates) is like buying a box of chocolates--you never know what you're going to get! I like to feel a box, open it an read random passages before committing. On the other hand, some of the best books I've ever read I found by chance, browsing around for a book on Amazon. I guess you just have to be open to possibilities!


Posted Jun. 04, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sallyg

Join Date: 05/14/11

Posts: 21

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

I seem to read about a book before I ever buy it or I know the author. I have never tried online dating but I know several people that met their mate on one so I would not discount it.
This book I requested because of the size and cover, and title. The blurb said a bookseller and I knew it had to be a good story. I have also have had a great success with Book Browse. Only one book in memory I could not read.(No punctuation, negative and one sentence for a whole page).


Posted Jun. 22, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
llsmill

Join Date: 02/13/13

Posts: 38

RE: How would you compare the act of buying books online to the act of dating online?

Buying a book online you only know what you can read what is written about the book by someone else. You do not have the book in your hand to page through and read some pages or paragraphs. It may look like something you would like online but until you have it in your hands you do not really know. The same with online dating. You may like what you read about the potential date but it is only one person trying to make thenmselves sound better. What is written may not be true and only till you are out with that person can you see what they are really like.


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