Have you ever lied about a book?
Whether it's to look smart, to make someone stop yapping or just to casually use them as a reference when you're telling someone something, we've all been guilty of lying about that one book.
Here's a list of popular books that we've all pretended to have read to look hip.
1. HARRY POTTER – J.K ROWLING
Random Person: Hey Tee, you've read that book about that wizard kid, yeah?
Harry with the cool glasses and badass spells?
You: Yeah, sure. I really think Hermione is smart and Draco is such an ass. Ugh.
Truth: Uhmm.. Actually, you've seen all the movies and you've never read any of the books but we can't let that out now, can we?
2. HOW EUROPE UNDERDEVELOPED AFRICA – WALTER RODNEY
Your Dad: Really, the Europeans held the Africans down for so long, it's so pitiful that we still haven't moved on a lot after then.
You: Right. I read about it Rodney book. It was really profound.
Truth: Ermm. You've not read it. You only saw it on your professor's table and read just the back cover.
3. THINGS FALL APART – CHINUA ACHEBE
Random Smartypants in your class: Hey. Do you know that first Achebe book? Do you know he wrote it as a form of a strike back, in response to Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness?
You: Oh yeah, I think that Okonkwo guy was a great man, nevertheless.
Truth: You only knew about this book because you had to study it for school, but we both know you ended up reading notes online instead. welp.
4. PURPLE HIBISCUS – CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE
Your sister: Hiya, I'm reading this book by Adichie.
(holds book up for you to see)
It has many complex facets and themes. I don't know what to make of Kambili's family. Read it?
You: Yup. A while ago.
Truth: Nope. You haven't, you only saw it at your friend's place last weekend.
5. GIFTED HANDS – BEN CARSON
Random person at an event: I'm sure you've read Gifted Hands, the book about how that black kid overcame poverty and went on to be a neurosurgeon?
You: Oh. Yes, yes. It was such an inspiring read.
Truth: You actually haven't read this book. You only know about it because your classmate said it was what inspired him to study Medicine. oops.
6. TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD – HARPER LEE
Your Uncle: Harper penned a great book, you know. To Kill A Mocking Bird is a very incredible classic of modern American Literature.
You: I agree, Sir.
Truth: Sure you do, when all you've read of the book are snippets you see on Twitter during #bookclubbooktalk. Of course, you agree.
7. THE LORD OF THE RINGS – J.R.R. TOLKIEN
Your friend: I think that the Lord of The Rings is a masterpiece! It encompasses religion, philosophy, mythology, dislike for industrialisation and even the author's personal experience of the first world war.
You: Uhmm. Yeah. True.
Truth: You've seen all the movies but never even seen the books. You really don't care a lot, you just want him to stop talking.
8. THINK AND GROW RICH – NAPOLEON HILL
Your Mentor: You see, the principles of personal development and self improvement highlighted in Think and Grow Rich are actually very practicable and helpful.
You: Of course. I read it years ago.
Truth: You can't be caught dead with a self-help books. Nope. Nah. Nuh-uh. You only know about this book because it was always on your Dad's table when you were younger.
9. ANGELS AND DEMONS – DAN BROWN
Your brother: You know, I still think about the happenings in Dan Brown's most popular book. These things could be true. I mean, there have been many postulations about the enmity between the Brotherhood and the Church.
You: I think so too.
Truth: You don't think so. You dropped this book after the first few chapters because you're a Child of God who has no interest in reading heresy. What is a Brotherhood, please? Ah.
1O. THE JOYS OF MOTHERHOOD – BUCHI EMECHETA
Your BFF: I think my best Emecheta book has to be this one. (flashes it in your face)
I like how the author portrayed how being a mother can be infused with responsibilities, anxiety, dilemma and pain.
You: Hmm. Yeah, that was a thoughtful one.
Truth: You don't even know who Nnu Ego is. The reason you know this book is because you saw it on your Mom's shelf back at home.
Oh well, there, we have them.
Which ones can you identify with? I know I can't be the only one. Which ones aren't on this list and why did you do it?
(judging you much)
