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Reader's Paradise

Critics lists, Boooo!

19 years ago

I always use the more enjoyable recommendations of boards like this one, (especially this one!), rather than official newspaper or critics lists. How much store do the rest of you place on so-called experts opinions?

I tend to run the other way when I spot a "Best books of 2005" or "top ten whatever" list!

You people are my experts!

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Comments (6)

dorieann
19 years ago
Oh, I love reading other people's lists. I may not always agree with them (usually don't) but I always come across books I haven't even heard of, so I research them to find out more. If they sound good, it's more added to my TBR lists. I've found really good books/authors this way.

I get recommendations from book forums too, though. But there's just something about a list...
cindydavid4
19 years ago
Depends on the critic. I am a regular reader of the NYTimes book review, and so I know how I react to some reviewers, and how some I take with a grain of salt. But I really don't read that many reviews before I've read a book. I usually chose books based on comments from other readers on book forums and book groups.

What I enjoy doing is reading reviews after I've read a book. Often it puts some things in perspective that I hadn't thought of, or helps me cement something I was already thinking. I'll also read reviews (on Amazon esp) if Im not really caring for a book but am unsure whether or not to finish it. Often those reviews either encourage me or tell me to trust my better judgement.
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veronicae
19 years ago
I have found that I get better results by reading the advertisements in the Times Book Review than the reviews. I also like to wait to see the letters that are written in reaction to the reviews.
venusia_
19 years ago
I get recommendations from boards like this one, but I don't commit to reading until I've glanced at the critics' reviews: Publisher's Weekly, Kirkus and Booklist (easily accessible through the Novelist database). I don't read the reviews (I find it spoils the story too much), but if there is a star next to the review that sways me, and even more when at least 2 of the 3 give a star the book.
dynomutt
19 years ago
I guess it depends on what's being reviewed. If it's a non-fiction book, then I find that I can generally trust the reviewers, especially if the book deals with somewhat specialized topics such as the French Revolution, Krakatoa, or biographies.

For non-fiction, the problem is that taste can be VERY subjective. That being said, if a reviewer just HATES a book, then that MAY color my view of the book.

I have picked up books based on reviews, especially reviews from the Globe and Mail's Books section. I remember picking up a few non-fiction books based on their reviews and, so far, I haven't been disappointed. I'd read the NY Times more often but at around $5-$7 on weekends, that can be quite hefty! (I mean, if I shell out that kind of cash for a newspaper, I want to read MOST of it and then there goes my weekends!)

I also read the reviews in Harper's Magazine but I haven't picked up any books based on their reviews. I did, however, pick up a book based on an ad in Harper's and I was NOT disappointed -- it turned out to be one of the most engaging books I've ever read. It was Shadow of the Wind. ;-)
gooseberrygirl
19 years ago
I like to hear about what others think of various books no matter where it is reviewed-newspaper, magazines, esp. Bookmarks, boards like these, and just talking to other readers.
My library haul today reflects the influence of these boards in my selections...Bachelor Brothers Bed and Breakfast and Queen Lucia. I would probably never heard about these otherwise.

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