Share a book that you could relate to

[peekaboo]

I have read one book this year that I could really relate to... the title of the book is Nervous by Zane here's the first passage in the book that I could truely relate to

" For as long as I could remember, I had always been nervous. Nervous about school. Nervous about friends. Nervous about relationships with men. Even nervous about talking to my own mother. I don't know whether it was something deep-rooted inside of me from an early childhood experience or whether it was something that was just meant to be.
I lived in my own world by the time I was twenty-two years old. I was fresh out of college and working as a project coordinator for a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia. I selected that job because I wouldn't have to deal with too many people on a daily basis. I only had face to face dealings with a few of the people from the office, mostly women, and I was very thankful for that.
When it came to dealing with a man on an intellectual level any man my palms would get sweaty and my knees would tremble a little. I am not sure how noticeable it was to anybody else, but I was painfully aware of it. I had managed to go all the way through my high school and college years without a single boyfriend."

And to read the rest well you would have to go to your local bookstore and pick it up. I'm telling you this book is full of surprises.

This character is one that I'm sure many of us shy people can relate to I know I can!!

[llll]

Is it just me, or are all shy girls (at least that post on this forum) are book worms?

[peekaboo]

I don't think all shy girls are bookworms but the majority are for some odd reason. I can't speak for all shy girls but I read alot because I enjoy it and because it stimulates my mind , it also relaxes me and takes my mind off all my problems. ;D

[Kitten]

I am. I makes sense, most shy people have trouble relating to others, so reading becomes an escape from reality.

[Cassava]

Well if your a shy person I suppose reading is a form of entertainment that doesn't put you into situations that make you feel uncomfortable. I don't find reading as a hobby a surprise for people like me.

[peekaboo]

What is your hobby Cassava? I'm just curious.

[Cassava]

Erm I dunno nothing exciting. I do like to read although lately I haven't been reading as many books as I used to. Now it's mostly magazines and mangas as I don't have much free time with work.

Other hobbies? Internet. Watching films. I would say writing, but I gave that up a long time ago.

I used to play badminton and soccer, but I suck at sports. I tired to get into roleplaying games with friends, but it didn't interest me that much.

[seabreeze]

anybody read this book by J.D Salinger called "the cathcher in the rye"?

its about a college student who goes through a nervous breakdown. It finishes with the main character being sectioned to a mental asylum. a very heartwarmring book- u should read it.

[Cassava]

Seabreeze said:

anybody read this book by J.D Salinger called "the cathcher in the rye"?

its about a college student who goes through a nervous breakdown. It finishes with the main character being sectioned to a mental asylum. a very heartwarmring book- u should read it.

My ex actually bought that book not so long ago. She didn't know what it was about, but someone had reccommended it to her. Maybe I'll check it out next time I go shopping for books.

[reader]

The Ignored by Bentley Little
...for the times you feel just so bland, ordinary, uninteresting to the point that you feel like you don't belong in this "Be an individual" society

and Party of One by Anneli Rufus
...a lot of shy people are loners at heart. Like all humans, we need social interaction, but sometimes we choose to not indulge ourselves in a world where you're judged on the number of friends you have and what kind of social life you lead.

[curiousshy]

The Story of B by Daniel Quinn

nothing to do with shyness though except in the sense that it has to do with everything

[peekaboo]

these all sound interesting...more books more books anyone??? Either on someone who has never loved or been loved anything of that nature I need a book that I can relate to because in real life I have noone and thats real!

[seabreeze]

Cassava said:

My ex actually bought that book not so long ago. She didn't know what it was about, but someone had reccommended it to her. Maybe I'll check it out next time I go shopping for books.

buy it. its one of the best books ive ever read.

[tim]

peekaboo said:

Either on someone who has never loved or been loved anything of that nature I need a book that I can relate to

I can't think of anything that fits this request exactly, although I'm sure they're out there and I've probably read a couple that I just can't recall.

But I'd suggest the books of Anne Tyler. I find I very much relate to her books and characters. Many of her characters are estranged in some way from the wider society. They tend to live in dysfunctional families, but the families are always the most important relationship in their lives.

Specifically, I would suggest Saint Maybe and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant. In Saint Maybe the main character lives many years without a romantic relationship because he's dedicated his life to looking after the children of his dead brother. He does find someone and marry towards the end of the book, and it's quite affecting because of how remote that possibility seemed earlier in the book. I recall a character in Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant (quite some time since I read it) who lives his life unmarried in his mother's home; his one wish is to have his family together for a meal. These two characters might be easier for me to relate to as a male, but I think many characteristics that we can relate to are common in Tyler's characters.

And I find her books quite accessible. I can't seem to read anymore, but I know if I found a new book by her at the library I'd be able to fall right into it and have it finished in a couple days.

[Jarous]

I loved Catcher In The Rye - a grand account of a sensitive young person who doesn't fit - who doesn't want to it - in the world of phony adults ... but in the end finds out there's no escape anyway...

Another great book is Ender's Game - again about a gifted, sensitive child who cannot live a normal happy life because of his difference...

Or anything from Robert Salvatore with Drizzt Do Urden in it - a story of an elf growing up in a world he doesn't understand, like or fit in trying to escape and find happiness and friends...