Do you read the books suggested by other people?

[Neoma]

I have a list of about 60-80 books that people have reccomended to me. I've only read one of them, coinencadentally...

[SheilaT]

1. Only if I already have reason to trust that person's taste and recommendations.

For instance, I usually do well with books my sister or either of my sons recommend. Friends who think that the Twilight series were really good, well I'll ignore their suggestions.

[Neoma]

2. Since I'm a book hoarder that lives by a library, suggestions seem pointless.

Unless they're books I already have.

[SheilaT]

3. I likewise have lots of unread books, and live close enough

to a library. But for me, suggestions, especially from people I've already found to be reliable in the past, are always welcome.

Are you saying that for you, suggestions simply aren't needed, that you easily come across all the books you want to read by yourself? I am NOT being confrontational or trying to suggest your way isn't a very good one, but as one who likes getting recommendations, and who frequently reads book reviews, it's interesting to consider doing neither.

Of course, we all understand that there are far too many books out there for any of us to read in this lifetime.

[Neoma]

4. Well...

The last book I read that someone reccomended to me was The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Besides my mother in-law and my husband, I usually get really stupid recommendations. (Twilight anyone?) As far as easily getting the books I want to read? Oh definitely. I can't go into a used bookstore without buying 5 books, and going into any book store leads to me pointing out which books I already own or had read to my husband.

I also don't really have any friends that loves to read. Except for my 80 year old friend who doesn't bother recommending anything to me because he's more interested in what pile of books I bought or borrowed "this time around."

As for reviews, I occasionally glance at them. I have a subscription (as a gift from my mother in-law) to a magazine called Bookmarks, where it's just pure reviews. But it has more fiction reviews than non-fiction. So I gave a whole bunch to my mom. I'm more likly to read reviews of a book after I've read it, in order to compare thoughts.

My rule has always been, "If you learned something new, there's no reason to complain." It's hard to apply that reasoning sometimes, but I have a sense of calm when it is applied. I don't get so angry over the "what a stupid fucking book" feelings you can sometimes get. That's why I'd be a bad reviewer.

[SheilaT]

7. Thank you. I know what it's like to get

enthusiastic recommendations for books you KNOW you wouldn't like. Danielle Steel, anyone?

And I likewise share the notion that if you learn something new, it's probably a worthwhile read. In fact, that's EXACTLY the question I ask myself -- am I learning anything new here? -- when I decide to stop reading a book, especially if it's nonfiction.

And don't you just love it when you discover a new writer that you now just love?

[Neoma]

8. The closest (that I can think of) I've come to having a favorite non-fiction author is Mary Roach.

In the sense that I've read two of her books. I don't stick too long to any author. Maybe I'm wrong though, I could look at the list of books I've read to see a pattern maybe.

[northoftheborder]

5. Sometimes I follow other's recommendations, but I have to know the person and what he/she...

....perceives as worth reading. I have so many unread books already, I slap my own hand away from clicking on new reviews! I also have lists of books I've read reviews about, and want to peruse them in the library or store before deciding I want to read them.

[Neoma]

6. Where do you read your reviews?

[northoftheborder]

9. Amazon, The Nation Magazine, Texas Observer (mag), other special interest sites such as gardening,

....Splendid Table, NY Times book reviews, etc... Also my sister-in-law who belongs to a book club and reads a lot. Also, the groups here: Fiction, and Non-fiction.

[Neoma]

10. I stopped going to amazon since they recommend so many books.

Ugh.

[northoftheborder]

11. A sensible approach! I have so many books in my wish list, and on hold in my cart, that they...

....go up and down on price several times before I get around to buying them, or deleting. But at least I have a long time to think about whether I really want that book, or it's just a spur of the moment urge.

[Neoma]

12. Breaking the habit of buying them is my main concern.

It's addicting to collect. Don't know why. But the library has more than I'll ever need. So, I need to take up yoga or knitting instead of hopping through the book store, right next to the library.

[t3cblaze]

13. ...

Yeah, I read a few of them.

[skor584_2il]

14. yes I do

love most of them btw

[closeupready]

15. Yes, I do, particularly if it's someone similar to me

in terms of humor or common interests or reading level. Often, someone will make a suggestion, I'll look it up on Amazon, and it's like wow, I really want to read that.

I love books, and my bookshelves are more than three quarters books I haven't yet gotten to, but are sitting, waiting for me, for when the mood strikes me.

Going to pick up "Mornings on Horseback" tomorrow, about Teddy Roosevelt and the Roosevelt family, more generally.

[Neoma]

16. Hmm, I think the only book I have on Teddy...

Is, "Lion in the White House" by Aida D. Donald.

Amazon is evil, they keep suggesting things.