You may wonder where I find books to read (and rate). Let’s just say I have my fingers in a lot of pies. I’m always keeping my eyes out for books that sound intriguing, compelling, fun and fascinating. And I try to pay attention to books that are “buzzed about” so I can rate them here.
ADVANCE INFO
For looking ahead to books that have yet to be published, I have been subscribing for years to an email called Publishers Lunch. It shares deals that have been made between authors/agents and publishers. I remember when one email talked about Stephanie Garber’s Caraval, and just the one-paragraph summary got me excited for it! I had to wait probably a year for it to hit the stores, but I was waiting. And it completely lived up to the hype and my expectations. I love that whole series.
Netgalley is another way I find the newest books, and I get to read them before they are published. I request some books from authors I already am familiar with and other books that just sound like they should be really good.
KEEPING TRACK, KEEPING UP WITH FRIENDS
I use Goodreads to keep track of all the books I want to read, have read, etc., and it’s been my go-to since it started. I pay attention to the emails the site sends out about books coming up in the next month. And, of course, I get updates on what my friends are reading.
BARGAIN BUYS
I also use a cool service called BookBub, which sends out a daily email of books that are priced only $2.99 or below. Sometimes, that introduces me to reads I haven’t heard of, and it allows me to snag some that I do love for cheap. BookBub also sends out emails of curated lists, including ones of books that are anticipated in the next few months or so.
APPS
I’ve fairly recently started using an app called Likewise. It is billed as a good way to find books (as well as TV shows, movies and podcasts, though I really only use it for books) similar to ones you already love, but I’ve been disappointed in that promise. The books it serves up to me every day often aren’t my cup of tea, so the algorithm is worth squat, IMO.
The other way the app is supposed to help you find books you love is by asking for other users’ recommendations. I’ve also found those can be next to worthless all too often. (People can specifically ask for users to recommend a book like “a young adult fantasy book that’s clean,” and users will pay no attention whatsoever to the actual request. They’ll give them suggestions for fiction for adults, sci-fi, and/or content that is decidedly NOT clean.)
All that said, however, it is useful to see what’s popular and trending on the app amongst its users (I’ve concluded it skews young), and I’ll sometimes find something that sounds good to read. Likewise does also send a regular email with popular books, author spotlights and lists like “the 50 best enemies-to-lovers romances.” I find that just as useful as the app itself.
I’ve more recently started using another app, called Tertulia, that gathers recommendations from around the internet, podcasts and social media. “Inspired by the informal salons (‘tertulias’) of Spanish cafes and bars, Tertulia is a new way to discover books through all the lively and enriching conversations they inspire.” I’d say it’s generally more “highbrow” and features recommendations from professional reviewers and outlets. I’ve found a few good ideas there.
FAMOUS READERS
Celebrity book clubs are one way a lot of readers hear about various books. Oprah, of course, is the grande dame of those, having established hers years ago (1996, to be exact). She only occasionally selects books now. Monthly clubs are presided over by Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club) and Jenna Bush Hager (Read with Jenna on the Today show). I’ve paid more attention to Reese’s and have enjoyed several, including The Downstairs Girl (YA pick), Wrong Place Wrong Time, and Anatomy: A Love Story (another YA pick). I’ve read fewer of Jenna’s, but I really am glad I read Remarkably Bright Creatures. It was clever and delightful.
NEWSPAPERS (yes, they are still out there and useful!)
Old-style avenues for recommendations are through professional book reviews. I’ve subscribed to the New York Times Book Review emails for years, and more recently since I subscribe to digital forms of the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, I also get book reviews from those newspapers (the WSJ sends out a weekly email specifically devoted to books, though the Post does not).
So there ya go. I keep up with stuff so I can hopefully make it easier for you to find the good stuff.
