NOV 1 — How do you find new books to read? Do you just go by who the “hottest” author is right now or do you just browse the bookstores and see what jumps out at you? Or maybe you just go by the recommendations of friends?
I have done all of the above and can only say that there is no sure-fire formula for finding the next great book to read. It’s a bit of a hit and miss, and I suppose that is the fun of reading.
I used to have a rule, though: No matter how bad the book, I must finish it. I considered it a personal failure if I did not finish a book. But, of course, as with all rules, it got broken. Still, for the longest time, it pained me that I never finished “Moby Dick” or “Ulysses.”
Now that I am older, I really don’t give a toss anymore what people — or even the pernickety side of me — thinks about my not finishing certain books. These days, I quite happily cut my losses if the story proves dull or the writing tedious.
Life is too short to waste on books you don’t enjoy. Why not linger over those you do instead? I have even returned books lent to me by well-meaning friends... unfinished. Back in the day, I would have puzzled over why that friend thought I would enjoy the book.
I would have pretended to have enjoyed it even so as not to hurt the feelings of the friend! These days, we are better at this book recommending business. Maybe it’s because we know each other’s literary taste better now.
Recently, I have taken to buying copies of books I liked for friends whom I think will enjoy them. But I have also told them to give it to somebody else if they do not enjoy the books. No hard feelings.
After all, it is so subjective isn’t it? In a recent article on the actress Michelle Williams, I read that she liked reading. She said, “I find a poet I like and then read the poets they like.” And I thought what a novel idea.
Amazon.com already does this of course. If you look at a book on the website or order books from there, they will very often recommend other books of the same genre to you. It’s pretty cool and generally it is a good way to find similar type books.
I just finished reading Shamini Flint’s “Inspector Singh Investigates: Bali Conspiracy Most Foul.” I also enjoyed the first Inspector Singh book so I am thinking I should go find out what Flint likes to read.
It’s pretty easy. She gave a few interviews and has written about her favourite books as well. Okay, she prefers English crime writers like PD James and Ruth Rendell to the hardboiled American writers.
I have not read either so that’s a good place to start. Which Ruth Rendell though? She has written so many. Oh, I know... I will try the Inspector Wexford series. They have been adapted for TV and that is a good sign.
So now I have a mission when next I go to the bookshop. Pretty neat eh?
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