Look, I try to withhold my book recommendations. I do. I tell myself, “Be cool, don’t awkwardly pin down your wife to tell her how the hierarchy of species works in your latest space series.” But sometimes, I just need to point someone toward a book so good it makes you consider quitting your job to live in a shack.
But lately, I’ve started to wonder…Am I Dave?
Who is Dave?
Dave is that person who corners you with intense eye contact and tries to recommend some terrible lifestyle changing book. Or even worse, something his wife wrote, punch me in the face now.
First of all, you didn’t ask. You just wanted to heat up your lunch. But now Dave’s talking about the latest motivational secret sales techniques book and you’re nodding politely while wondering if there’s still a dead cockroach in the break room.
I don’t have a lot of friends at work.
But what if I’m Dave… with better taste?
I mean, sure—I recommend books about intergalactic knights breaching enemy ships and redefining the concept of friendship under duress…
But people probably love that. Right? They’re probably thinking,
“Wow. I need to know this person, maybe I should invite him to a BBQ so he can go into more detail about this book.”
Yes. That’s what I’m choosing to believe. And yes, you can forcibly invite yourself to someone’s BBQ. They won’t talk to you as much as possible, but food will be good.
The Real Takeaway
We’ve all got a little Dave in us.
No innuendo.
Whether you’re pushing your favorite murder mystery on your cousin or casually recommending a 27-hour fantasy epic to a tired dad who asked for something “short,” —you’re a Dave.
Own it. Embrace it. But maybe… wait until after lunch.
Sometimes life hands you a book you didn’t ask for—and it’s usually wearing khakis and quoting productivity stats at brunch.
Let’s talk about the three ways I’ve been ambushed by “required reading”:
1. Dave Wrote a Book
That’s right. Your client. Your coworker. Your personal Dave. And he wrote a book.
Of course it’s about mindset. Of course it has a lion on the cover. And of course… you’re expected to read it.
Did I listen to it? Yes. Did a piece of my soul give up and walk away halfway through chapter 3? Also yes.
And now Dave’s book is inspiring other Daves. We are caught in a horrifying Dave-loop. Audiobook Gods help us all.
2. Your Significant Other Thinks It’ll Improve Your Relationship
Ah yes, nothing says love and connection like a relationship book that isn’t on Audible and costs $17.99 in PDF format.
You know what improves relationships? Doing the dishes and letting your partner watch their shows in peace. But sure, let’s pretend quoting a chapter about emotional check-ins is gonna fix your inability to load the dishwasher the “right way.”
If reading a book becomes a test of your marriage, maybe the real test is… who gets the Audible credits in the divorce.
3. Book Club Bribery (a.k.a. Free Lunch Thursdays)
The BBQ was free. The price was my pride.
I thought I could power through. One little self-help book for one delicious lunch.
But halfway through a chapter on “visualizing abundance,” I realized something important:
I already own a grill. And I don’t need a metaphor about marinating success—I need ribs.
Parting Thoughts
Look, we all get roped into reading something we didn’t pick. It happens. But if you’re gonna force-feed me a book, at least throw in a narrator with a decent mic and some dramatic tension.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go listen to something with swords, explosions, or emotionally broken space pirates. For balance.
