I get asked a lot of questions on bookstagram and while a majority of those questions are lovely, there are some that really put a salty flavour in my coffee. And FYI we never mess with Blue’s coffee – that’s how she survives.

So I thought, why not do a little rant about these questions?! And point out that if you are asking these questions you are not being inquisitive, you are being damn rude and your mother needs to wash your mouth out with soap.

Keep in mind that these questions are the beginning of a conversation without a hey or hello beforehand and are from people that I have hardly spoken to nor spoken to at all.

Shall we begin?

1.       Can I have some of your books?

This literally makes me cringe. At what point in life is it suitable to ask for free stuff from a stranger that you don’t know? Answer: it’s not! It’s just fucking rude!

I don’t know your circumstance in life and nor do you know mine. But I do like to yabba on so let me fill you in on my life. I have worked my ass off. For a few years of my life I worked three jobs and would even sleep in my car outside of work, because I was too exhausted to drive home. I work hard for my money and therefor I have worked hard on my collection of books. And that’s what my books are, they are mine. I spent my money on them and I have been collecting them all my life. They are not yours and you have no entitlement to them, so don’t even ask.

2.       You have two copies of that book, can I have it?

… no. Simply put, no.

Don’t get me wrong, I am more than happy to hand out books that I have doubles of. But I offer these to people who I chat to on bookstagram and my bookstagram buddies, I do not give these books to someone that asks/demands it. This is rude. Never ask nor demand.

How about you start a chat with me? Ask me what I’m reading? Have a normal conversation with me and then I am more likely to ask you if you want a free book.

3.       Wow you must be loaded or did you inherit a trust fund?

Ummm…

Hold on….

Back the fuck up!

Yes I get asked this a lot and it drives me crazy. It is 2019 can’t someone work hard for their money and spend it on what they want?

Like I said I work hard and I am not loaded and nor do I have a trust fund, though that would be nice! I work my ass off and a majority of my books are from opp shops or have been given to me by family and friends. I’m not a millionaire, just smart and wise with my money.

4.       Can I have your new release review books?

Again. NO!

The basic agreement between myself and the publisher. I am extremely lucky to get review books from so many great publishers but they have sent them to me on the condition that I review them. So no you cannot have a review book that I have literally just received. Again, this is rude!

5.       Follow for Follow

Please don’t ever send this to me. The accounts I follow are people that I interact with and feeds that I love and inspire me. I would be happy to give you a shout out if you ask nice enough but I will not follow you because you demand it. But do not expect me to follow you when you do not already follow me, do not speak to me and have no idea about common manners. I am literally too old for this shit… Can someone get my walking frame please?

Rude: You should follow me?

Polite: Hi. Hope you are well. Would it be at all possible to have a shout out?

See the difference here people??

I know this is such a random post to be posting but I have reached my limit with getting asked these questions. And let’s be honest someone has to point out this is rude behaviour and not acceptable.

I am not an asshole all of the time, deep down I have a soul and I can be very pleasant and sometimes funny. Make the effort to get to know me as a human instead of expecting me to give you something for free.

Be polite,

                Blue xx