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I haven't read a single book in 2016, something for which I hold Hacker News greatly to blame. I have read a good number of Hacker News book suggestion threads

by hanoz 10y ago

I haven't read a single book in 2016, something for which I hold Hacker News greatly to blame. I have read a good number of Hacker News book suggestion threads mind, and in turn a lot of Amazon reviews, usually up until the first unfavourable comment, which is typically enough to put me off completely. I can but look to Hacker News to make amends, so if anyone has any good advice for what I should do about this in 2017, I look forward to reading it.

dublinben 10y ago
Make up your own mind about which books you want to read. Don't go looking for reviews before you pick one up. Give it a chance, and if you realize it's not for you, then move on. You've definitely missed out on reading a good book or two by being so worried that you might have to read a bad book too.
Freak_NL 10y ago
Every book has its haters, and everything on Amazon tends to get a review at some point. Try to keep the reality of those statistics in mind; if 49 people liked a book and two hated it, it was probably a good book. Alternatively, visit your local independent book store and ask for recommendations, and resist the temptation of looking up the reviews before you've finished the book yourself. If getting to the point of actually reading a book is a problem, I find that the easiest way is to read a while in bed before you go to sleep. Reading helps relax, and has the benefit of not keeping your body awake like digital screens do.