3 ms·

One thing worth considering is that not everyone considers the same things to be worthwhile, but popularity is too coarse a metric to use to choose what to read

by sixo 10y ago

One thing worth considering is that not everyone considers the same things to be worthwhile, but popularity is too coarse a metric to use to choose what to read. IJ was one of the most valuable (to me) books I've ever read, and I finally read it after about three false starts on the basis of some clues (eg Schwarz' review) that I might find it so valuable. A mainstream full of -you- would have misled me. Figuring out what books you're going to like is really hard. If anyone knows a good way, besides the extensive process of collecting reviewers you trust and making friends who know your tastes - do share.

AnimalMuppet 10y ago
I'm not sure it can be done. Maybe part of the answer is for you to give yourself permission to quit a book after reading, say, one quarter of it. Then you can be the judge for yourself. (Or did your false starts carry you that far through IJ?)
- throwanem 10y ago
  That'd certainly be my advice, although I'd put it in stronger terms: I can't describe how liberating it was to realize it was permissible to decide that an author is wasting my time.
- ktRolster 10y ago
  Wow, I'm much more petulant. If the first page doesn't capture my attention, I flip somewhere in the middle, randomly, then read. If the author can't engage me on any of a few randomly selected pages, I drop the book. (Some exceptions are made, for example, if someone recommends the book).
Paul_S 10y ago
I'm convinced there isn't a way to even increase your chances, let alone guarantee satisfaction. According to a spreadsheet for 4 years my average star rating hasn't changed (~3.5) and at different times I tried different strategies which all ended up with the same end result - a (wonky) bell curve. So now, instead of wasting time chasing reviews and recommendations I just read the damned book - this way I increase the amount of 5 star books I've enjoyed for the low price of more 1 stars I can have a good chuckle about.

by sixo 10y ago

AnimalMuppet 10y ago

I'm not sure it can be done. Maybe part of the answer is for you to give yourself permission to quit a book after reading, say, one quarter of it. Then you can be the judge for yourself. (Or did your false starts carry you that far through IJ?)

throwanem 10y ago
That'd certainly be my advice, although I'd put it in stronger terms: I can't describe how liberating it was to realize it was permissible to decide that an author is wasting my time.
ktRolster 10y ago
Wow, I'm much more petulant. If the first page doesn't capture my attention, I flip somewhere in the middle, randomly, then read. If the author can't engage me on any of a few randomly selected pages, I drop the book. (Some exceptions are made, for example, if someone recommends the book).

Paul_S 10y ago

I'm convinced there isn't a way to even increase your chances, let alone guarantee satisfaction. According to a spreadsheet for 4 years my average star rating hasn't changed (~3.5) and at different times I tried different strategies which all ended up with the same end result - a (wonky) bell curve. So now, instead of wasting time chasing reviews and recommendations I just read the damned book - this way I increase the amount of 5 star books I've enjoyed for the low price of more 1 stars I can have a good chuckle about.