Timewaster's Guide Archive
Local Authors => Brandon Sanderson => Topic started by: Natalie Perkins on November 26, 2008, 04:11:41 AM
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After years and years of trying, I finally converted a Brandon Sanderson fan!
I know what you're probably thinking, how in the world was it so hard?
Well, I don't hang around a lot of readers.
And the one major reader I hang around converted me.
The first person I suggested a Sanderson book to was my best friend, and it was Mistborn, who had previously told me she loved reading.
That was a lie.
She loved reading Gossip Girl books. She got about five chapters into Mistborn and gave up >:(
The second person I tried was my dad. Who made it farther into Mistborn, about nine chapters.
But he had to put it down for a while because of work and it's been more than a year now. It's safe to say, he's lost interest. Maybe when he retires he'll be able to read again. But currently he's not reading anything and after months of it sitting on his bedside table I got fed up and stole it back.
The third was when I was in my Consumer's Ed class for summer school going into sophomore year. I believe I was rereading Elantris when the girl next to me asked what I was reading. I showed her and explained to her what it was about and she showed up the next day with a paperback version of it. The class ended before she finished but she was giving good feedback. I don't know if she kept reading or not.
I was more successful the fourth time but then I completely messed it up. I suggested Mistborn to my (then) boyfriend but I didn't have a copy for him to borrow, so I lent him my copy of Elantris. He read that and loved it and was eager to read Mistborn but then I broke up with him and he didn't continue on. (I did have to beg him for Elantris back though, which was annoying. But, we're friends now and I know he still hasn't read Mistborn or any other Sanderson books yet.)
The fifth was a bitter failure. I was rereading Mistborn in my ACT Prep class and the kid next to me was hitting on me, as usual. He was trying to play to my interests so he started asking me about it and I, of course, expressed how much I loved the book, and the next week he shows up with a copy. He told me he read the whole thing but, once I let him know I wasn't interested, he suddenly realized that he wasn't interested in the books anymore. I texted him a while back and he didn't even remember the book. Which leads me to believe that he didn't read it.
I've also been stressing to my mom to read it, who for some godforsaken reason doesn't trust my opinion when it comes to books. And when she does decide to listen to my opinion on books she chooses the completely wrong ones that I like but I know she won't. She just read Twilight and hated it. I mean, I like it 'cause I’m a sappy teenage girl who can look past the ten year old writing and fall in love with Bella and Edward. My mom is much more practical.
But finally, and I mean FINALLY[/b] I successfully converted someone.
A few months ago my aunt and uncle came to me in desperation asking me to help my cousin Tina start reading. I have a bookcase the size of a dinosaur in my room, so they immediately thought of me.
I chose to give her Twilight, a book my friends who hated reading, fell in love with. And, consequently, so did my cousin and she read every book including the first 200 pages of the first book in a different view point online.
She gobbled them all up in a way that I had only heard of when I had done it with first the Harry Potter books and then the Mistborn books.
I was impressed so, two weekends ago, she came to my house for a sleepover saying how she needed a book to read because she always found herself bored. I flew to my bookcase and started from the top-down. From my small paperbacks, to my medium paperbacks and hardcovers, and it didn't even occur to me to look at my hardcover fantasy until I pulled out one of my Robert Jordan books and tossed it to her, joking that she should read that one (It's way above her current reading level; but someday I know she'd love them. Plus, she's never read fantasy, and that's a hunk of a book to get you into fantasy) When I paused and realized that I had completely ignored Mistborn and Elantris.
I was just so used to people shooting down my suggestion for the books and couldn't scare people as effectively with Mistborn or Elantris as I could with the monstrosities of some of the Jordan books, that I had just forgot. So, I paused, halfway turned to bring the previous pile I had assembled and thought, "Well, why not? Mistborn's my favorite book, and it started me off in fantasy, why not her?"
I dropped my stack causing the books to crash and scatter on the floor around me and slid out my copy of Mistborn. I held it up to her and turned, "You could read this." I told her.
"What is it?" She wasn't scared off by the cover and I took that as invitation enough.
I bounded over to my bed which she was sitting upon and plopped in front of her, immediately flipping to the inside cover and reading the description on the dustcover. (Which by the way, does a very poor interpretation of the book, in my own personal opinion. I'll have to see if it's mentioned somewhere else or start a new thread, I'm already making this one entirely too long)
After I finished reading, she looked a little confused, so I described the book in my own words and she paused, blinked at me, and then burst into a smile, "That sounds awesome!"
I gave it to her, after doing a little happy dance and the night went on. (The next morning, I double checked that the book was in her bag because, yes, I am that much of a psycho.)
She sent me a message on Facebook a couple days later:
This book you gave me is amazing.
Chapter 7, right now Kelsier is starting to train Vin. She is working on the tin metal at the moment.
I love reading the story through Vin's point of view more then Kelsier. I don't really know why. Maybe because more questions get answered with her. I love Vin; she is so tough and untrusting. Then Kelsier is so open and soothing. I love him too!!! So far I like Vin more.
That fight scene, when Kelsier was stealing the safe. That was down right awesome.
You gave me a great book!
Then a couple days later, I received this
I FINISHED THE BOOK TUESDAY
AMAZING!!!
I saw her that Saturday when we went to go see Twilight in theaters and, asides from talking about Mistborn all through the movie, I gave her the sequel AND (drum roll please):
HER MOM ASKED TO BORROW IT!
Which means, she'll read it and love it, then give it to my aunt who will read it and love it, who will give it to all her friends who will read it and love it and soon.
THE WHOLE WORLD WILL READ IT AND LOVE IT!!!!!
Hahah, this was much longer than I expected it to be.
I was just excited.
I am getting better with endings though, I must say. My first lengthy story ended with "So yeah...."
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Wow you are quite dedicated. I've tried converting a couple friends but I don't think I've managed to convince them its quite worth picking up. One of my friends only listens to books on tape, too...so that isn't going so well.
Continue on in your efforts and soon the world will be ours.
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Hey, even a couple of the ones you didn't "convert" apparently bought a copy. That's good too. :)
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Great work there! I love your enthusiasm :D
I managed to convert my wife. She devoured the books. I'm currently working on two of my friends. I lent one Elantris and the other I lent Mistborn. We shall see how it goes. :)
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When sanderson anounced he was finishing WoT, like many in that fandom, i grabbed my keys and my wallet and sped to borders. After finishing all his books out at the time (except alctraz, took me almost 2 months to track that one down) i told all my WoT loving freinds to read it.
My bestfriend got it, loved it, and spread the love to a couple of his friends.
also one of my D&D buddies was so sick of hearing me talkabout the book and not knowing what i was talking about, he read it and loved it. (now i have to return the favor and try david eddings(SP?)).
im working on getting my fiance to read Elantris, i figure as a one shot i have a better chance as she is a teacher with no time to read for herself (and when she does she reads those crappy literary fic books *blech*)
p.s. your dedication in spreading the love of reading, and sanderson in particular, is amazing
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Good job. I have hooked my brother with Elantris, and now he is on FE. He will be the one to get my second copy of HOA (yes, I am one of those who couldn't wait for Amazon to ship my copy, so I bought another one). I am now working on my brother-n-law (who introduced me to WoT), and a friend of mine who is a major sci-fi fantasy geek, but can be very stubborn. He insists on not starting another book until he has finished reading Wheel of Time again.
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Good job. I have hooked my brother with Elantris, and now he is on FE. He will be the one to get my second copy of HOA (yes, I am one of those who couldn't wait for Amazon to ship my copy, so I bought another one). I am now working on my brother-n-law (who introduced me to WoT), and a friend of mine who is a major sci-fi fantasy geek, but can be very stubborn. He insists on not starting another book until he has finished reading Wheel of Time again.
I think for anyone who has read WoT, Mistborn should be required reading
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Good job converting someone! I tried to convert my little brother, but he totally one-upped me and told me that his roommates were in Brandon's inner circle or something so he got to go over to Brandon's house and meet him. ::) This is not what little brothers are for.
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also one of my D&D buddies was so sick of hearing me talkabout the book and not knowing what i was talking about, he read it and loved it. (now i have to return the favor and try david eddings(SP?)).
If you are going to read Eddings, start with the Belgariad and Mallorean series, then the Prequels (Belgarath the Sorcerer; Polgara the Sorceress). 12 books total. The Will and the Word is the magic system in these books. Stick with them through the introductions (a few chapters) and you will be rewarded with a very dynamic cast and world.
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Eh... if by dynamic you mean cliche and stereotyped, then sure. :) (I enjoyed the Belgariad for what it was, but it should have ended there, and I didn't have any desire to read the rest.)
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My advise is if you're going to read something by him read The redemtion of atheius (not sure on the spelling. My grandma finally stole it back.) It's a bit of a monster when compaired to his other books (over 1k pages) but it's so much better then the will and the word.
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Eh... if by dynamic you mean cliche and stereotyped, then sure. :) (I enjoyed the Belgariad for what it was, but it should have ended there, and I didn't have any desire to read the rest.)
Actually, I found it to be quite dynamic. a little cliched, but who isnt?
some of the story can be a little... how do i say it... out there?
but that is only because Eddings is a big pothead lol.
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I managed to get two of my friends to read Elantris. I was particularly proud to get one to read it, sice he doesn't really read fantasy books all that much. I had to poke him numerous times to finally convince him to pick it up. And by pick it up I mean lend him my copy. ;D
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Nice job! I've managed to get three of my friends to read Mistborn. Two of them are finished, but one had to put HoA on hold due to the fact that she apparently has to pass her classes before her attachment to the book causes her to fail.
Good times.
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I too like to share my Sanderson books with my friends and make them love them. In my case, though, there is a selfish reason - I live in Spain, so I have to make sure Sanderson's books that arrive here are famous enough so the editorials will continue translating and publishing them, so I can talk about the books with my friends. I lent Elantris to my best friend and she absolutely loved it, making her immediately a big Sanderson fan. She then bought Mistborn I as soon as it went out in Spanish, read it and then let me borrow it, for I had bought the three books via Amazon, and had not gotten them yet. Right now, I've just lent her the second one, even though it is in English and she is not that good with it, just because she couldn't wait for it any more. Besides, I'm a member of a Spanish literature forums, and we have made a topic there about Brandon Sanderson too, as well as one for Elantris and one for Mistborn. Now we're both trying to get our friends to read the Sanderson books.
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I have a hard time selling the whole fantasy book thing, so I am going about it from another side. I talk up Alcatraz every chance I get because I know a lot of mothers and the children's librarian in town is a friend. Not a lot of sales now, but just wait ten years or so.
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id like to say. that I myself am a Sanderson convertee. I wasn't much of a read, until about a year and a half ago. When I started to work graveyards at my work. I start out with Magna, but a 10 dollars a day was killing my wallet. So I decided to try a real book. At first I pick up Karen Miller "The Innocent Mage", but it was only book 1 of 2. So i turn to a friend of my on this MMORPG i played. See i needed a new book until "The Awaken Mage" came out, and i was a bit scared to pick out a book I wouldn't like. So i ask him and he gave me a list of 20 some odd books(no joke there). So i asked him out of all those book which did chose, and he said "Mistborn". So that how Brandon Sanderson became my favorite writer. I will admit I haven't read a lot of book, and I'm now just starting Wheel of Time(on book #6). But i can still say though Sanderson is my #1 ;D
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I converted a friend and co-worker of mine. I wouldnt rally call it converting. I mean I got him to read the Sword of Truth then the Wheel of Time and then Mistborn. So he pretty much does whatever I say when it comes to what to read. He did however return the favor with converting me to the Sword of Shanara series that was pretty good.
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I have a hard time selling the whole fantasy book thing, so I am going about it from another side. I talk up Alcatraz every chance I get because I know a lot of mothers and the children's librarian in town is a friend. Not a lot of sales now, but just wait ten years or so.
OMG!!! I thought I was the only one obsess with Alcatraz!! To me that's the best book in the world. I know the book from cover to cover!! I've tried to get my friends to read it but it's not really working. What would you think if someone asked you a book and you said Alcatraz Verses the Evil Librarians there going to give some funny looks. :) But I hope your right about Alcatraz being one of those big books that everyone's reading.
Bastille
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What would you think if someone asked you a book and you said Alcatraz Verses the Evil Librarians there going to give some funny looks.
Yes, but then I get funny looks for all sorts of other reasons. Both of my boys have taken Alcatraz to school to try and convert their teachers. My 4th grader's teacher siad she would read it to her class after Christmas.
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Are you serious!! :o I would LOVE to read Alcatraz in class but I'm like in 7th grade but it doesn't make a difference. I know that book word for word. There is nothing in that book that I wouldn't get. The second, I CANNOT wait until it comes out on audio!! I have the 1st on audio and Charlie McWade does and AWESOME job!
Bastille
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This is cool. I think Bastille might be our youngest active poster. I like it and I really think that I'm going to read Alcatraz now. I love entertaining books and this one sounds fun.
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Thanks so much!! ;D I know you'll love it. I know someday Alcatraz will get it's time in the sun.
Bastille
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I know! I love "The List" in Scivenger's bones! I quote it all the time to my friends!
Zas
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I too enjoyed the Alcatraz books very much. They were quick reads, but ultimately awesome in every respect.
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I am also trying to get my friends to convert to Brandon Sanderson, so I can wonder about Hoid and the external tempral time metal, and Shards with someone.
Zas
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I know! I love "The List" in Scivenger's bones! I quote it all the time to my friends!
Zas
Ah the list. I think that, that part was hilarious. Kaz is just crazy but yet he can be very responsible. Australia on the other hand is a bit crazy. Bastille, OMG I don't know where to start with her. She and Shasta are my FAVORITE characters!! Bastille changes so much between the first and the second to me. She seems a little more nice towards Alcatraz. Okay I have to stop or I'll do all the characters!! :)
Bastille
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I'll have to read alcatraz, and all those others too. I've been reading BS stuff for about 2 weeks, but have already read elantris and the mistborn trilogy twice, and the most recent version of Warbreaker once. I have a hard time converting people to books though. I've tried to get several people to read WoT, or even Sword of Truth (yes, I read Goodkind). They never do. Oh well, maybe someday. BTW, I definitely recommened anything by David Eddings, Terry Brooks, and anything in the forgotten realms by R.A. Salvatore.
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All of Brandon Sanderson's books are very good reads and you won't waste time reading them.
Bastille
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leftinspace you just effectively listed almost half the books ive read over the past year. Eddings, Goodkind, Jordan, Brooks and Salvatore.
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I'd recommand the Inhuman Trilogy by John Marco, "The Eyes of God", "The Devils Armor" and "The Sword of Angels". Thought i add these, I really enjoyed them.
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@Natalie
I personally have a hard time finding a woman who reads like I do. My last GF broke up with me becase "I read too much." :'(
Anyway, I've converted a total of 8 people now and 6 indirectly. The first 8 were across several weeks of D&D, where I kept talking about Mistborn while we were playing. From there, they got some of their friends into it.
I love talking about Brandon Sanderson books ^____^
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When will someone convert me XD
I don't so much need to get interested in his books, I just need the books themselves! The only Sanderson book in town is Elantris in the public library, which I've already read about five times... XD
Good job though.
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If I don't have a book I'll be buggin people until I get my hands on one. I got $20 from my grandmother and I'm probably going to spend it all on books. Converting people can be hard but it sometimes works. That's how I got on Alcatraz. My friend read his books (BS's) and then they found Alcatraz right after it came out on audio and I was with them when they played it and I fell in LOVE with the characters. After everything I've seen and heard of MB and Warbreaker I'm going to try them both.
Bastille
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Well, I've done it quite efficiently, since my BF wants to join the forum and tell Brandon personally how he likes his books. Yesterday we traded forum addresses - this one against Sean Connery's :D
He loves Elantris and longs for a sequel. Now he reads Mistborn (translated by me :D) and I sent him Warbreaker by e-mail :D
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Well done!! Me converting books like MB and Warbreaker to my friends is hard. If they ask me if I have a book to read I give them numerous titles and they just walk away just saying "Hm".
Bastille
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It depends of friends. We are very similar with my BF and this is perfect. However, Brandon's writing is contagious. I have several friends asking all the time for new books of Brandon, he's really popular in POland.
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In Poland?? Wow. My friends have never heard of Brandon Sanderson here in Rhode Island. I hope some of these books will get there chance in the sun someday. Just gove it sometime and you'll see Warbreaker and MB on the top 10 list of books to read.
Bastille
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In Rhode Island, the Library has all of Sanderson's books. Elantris, and the Mistborn Trilogy, and Alcatraz. I know, I just returned Hero of Ages.
Go here:
http://www.oslri.org/
click, search library, by author: Sanderson, Brandon
and you will see them all.
Hero of Ages though, has a long wait, there are 3 copies in circulation in the state, and they never make it to the shelves, all are on hold all the time.
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Really? Hm. I've never looked there. We (my family) usually go to Barnes and Noble to get books. I'll need to check that stuff out. I still need to read Warbreaker and WOT.
Bastille
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you will need to sign up for a card from your local branch, but all the branches are interconnected and you can request a book from any library (except Block Island) and they will deliver it to your branch.
Warbreaker, I believe, is not in print yet. It is only in draft format and has not yet been sent to teh publisher (I think).
the library system apears to have all (or most) of the WoT series available in print and audio. good luck! (oh, and now you know at least 1 other Rhode Islander into these books ;) )
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You can download the ebook of Warbreaker right here:
http://www.brandonsanderson.com/portal/Warbreaker
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Cool!! Thanks!! Never thought of that before.
Bastille
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When will someone convert me XD
I don't so much need to get interested in his books, I just need the books themselves! The only Sanderson book in town is Elantris in the public library, which I've already read about five times... XD
Good job though.
Getting them from Amazon is cheap, especially if you want the paperback ones of Mistborn. What is more, if you go look Brandon's webpage, there is a more-than-nice offer in book three of Mistborn.
It's the way I always get them. As I'm from Spain, finding the ones who have not been translated is almost impossible! ;) (good thing the translation is really good).
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I tried to get my brother to read Eye of the World. We were at the beginning of a 4-hour drive to the Adirondacks. After a week of my pestering, he begrudgingly agreed to read the first chapter. He opened to the first page, and I sank into my book. At the end of the drive, I looked up and asked him how it was. He was reading "Exodus" (Leon Uris). He didn't even get to the second chapter. I've kept trying, but he's a lost cause, i think.
Good luck to everyone else…spread the BS…
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Maybe he'll be interested in it a couple or two of years later.
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I hope so, but I doubt it. He's gone from "Exodus" and "Mila 18" to reading about the Nazi doctors and concentration camps…I have basically given up all hope.
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Hey WWII books are interesting. I just read Band of Brothers and it was awesome. anyone who has seen the mini-series should have a look.
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I never said that they weren't interesting. Just that my brother reads them too much and doesn't like fantasy 8).
(Not that there's anything wrong with not like fantasy/reading other genres. It'd just be nice if he tried it.)
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I hear you. Its always nice to have the people close to you reading the things that you enjoy.
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Yes it is….Unfortunately, fantasy isn't a very common discussion topic in my family :'(.
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I have yet to convert anyone. I am the only person in my family that reads at all. I have a pretty large collection though. I ended up having to stop buying paperbacks because the fall apart on me though. I'm glad that Brandon got the the last book of WoT because it made me go buy his Elantris book. It was a great read and I immediately went back to the bookstore to pick up his other books. I have read them all now including warbreaker. Hopefully when my fiance gets here at the end of the month I can get her into reading. I will probably start her on something a little lighter like Harry Potter because her English is not perfect yet.
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Congratulations, man! I wish you luck….
Where is she from?
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The Philippines. I go to pick her up tommorrow.
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Oh, nice! Well, have fun!
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Man i feel like i am a true nerd... i have no problem getting people in my little circle to read Mistborn i think its around 4 people and i only chill with about 10... but then again my friends are all into fantasy/sci-fi and some even do text based games like me!