Indian Readers discussion
Reading Habits n Preferences
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How do you decide what to read?
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Anbu
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Feb 24, 2013 09:05PM
When it is a book by a new author, I mostly go by popular reviews.. Sometimes by the recommendations by those whom I trust.. :)
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Name and Description..and often it's the reviews too
An wrote: "Anbu wrote: "When it is a book by a new author, I mostly go by popular reviews"Are there any specific websites you go to for reviews? Goodreads and Amazon seem to be the standard places to go. Bu..."
I generally check friends' reviews of the books particularly of those who have the same taste of books as me..
Also I read book blog/Goodread reviews on the book page.. Here I basically read the reviews to get to know what would I get by reading the book than what the reviewer thought about the book.. I never go by ratings as they hardly reveal anything about a book.. (Almost all the books in GR have 3+ ratings)
Initially I used to read anything and everything. But then I discovered that I had less keepers and more rejections. Basically, I like a book for its writing style. If the style doesn't appeal, the book becomes drab.
So now I have a two step approach.
First I look for books on Goodreads, mainly those with an average rating of 4+.
Next, I try to find out if the book will appeal to me as an Indian reader or not. If the reviews (Indian) are positive, I'll order the book. Else, the search goes on.
This works for me, most of the time. :)
I read a book either to learn from it directly or to learn from its mistakes. I read good books for pleasure and to learn truths, writing techniques etc. I read bad books also for pleasure (you may call it fun) and to identify lies, bad writing techniques and dishonesty.Generally I select books that look interesting. Here are the most important elements that decide whether I will read a particular book or not:
Title: It must be original -- not derived from famous titles. If the title itself is unoriginal, what can we expect from the book?
Type: I like non-fiction more than fiction. Fiction has this quality of misguiding and I don't want to fall in to that trap. Though I read classics of fiction mainly because they have other qualities that I admire. When I am reading seriously, I prefer truth to lies, substance to style, conciseness to verboseness, etc. When reading for fun, these things don't matter much.
Author: If I have read other works of the author, then it is easy for me to decide whether I want to read another of his works or not.
Reviews: I read reviews on goodreads and amazon. If I want more information, I google the title. I don't trust reviews much though. A quote from Of Human Bondage sums up my what I mean:
...When I read a book I seem to read it with my eyes only, but now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it becomes part of me; I've got out of the book all that's any use to me and I can't get anythning more if I read it a dozen times...
Ratings: I think goodreads and amazon ratings are unreliable. Most people don't rate judiciously. That includes me too, because I don't have a criteria -- it depends so much on moods, feelings, peer ratings and peer reviews that the system is almost unreliable.
Recommendations: Not by a site-engine, but by masters. I read what masters of the craft think as the best of the best books. I try to figure out what is so great in the works they recommend. Till now I've not been disappointed.
When learning from bad example, I look for the exact opposite of above points.
RV wrote: "As far as websites for reviews go, I think a vast majority (in India) are not intellectually honest. Some give high ratings to get free books from publishers or simply to get their name out there.I began reviewing books to put out what I subjectively think is an honest opinion, but I find myself rating most new Indian genre fiction around 2 on 5; some lower. I find that its not a great way to make friends :-) "
Most Indian reviewers think Honesty is NOT the best policy. And I do not respect those reviewers.
I think your stands are right. A good review, is a subjective and honest review. Books ought to be honest too and when they are not, as a reviewer you say so. When they are wrong, you tell they are wrong. And you say where they are wrong and why.
If you act so, the author won't love you. But YOUR readers will respect you more for just that. Count me in as one of your supporters.
I am a reader as well as a writer and I think that reviews must be honest, if one makes an effort to write a review at all - especially the professional reviewers. Also, irrespective of the rating, a review should be like a guide to prospective readers. Whether you liked the book or not. If yes, then why and if no, then why. This way, anyone who is trying to decide whether to read the book or not, will get to know what he/she can expect from the book.That said, I have to admit that I'm not a great reviewer. I usually write what I 'felt' after reading the book rather than disclosing anything about the book itself. Only sometimes my reviews have certain facts which may be helpful for prospective readers.
I get whatever new book is there in the library if what is return on the back cover is interesting but I continue reading the book only if the first chapter interests me:)
I've discovered a few authors entirely by accident in the library. I went to look for a book by a known author, and when it wasn't on the shelf, I happened to notice another that I picked up and liked.
There is no strict rule that I follow when deciding upon what should be my next read. Being an ardent lover of classics, I will read any classic no matter what it be save the fact that the plot should appeal to me. When not reading a classic I look forward to suggestions from friends and colleagues with similar interests; however the interest needn't be with respect to books for I have observed that friends who mirror my thoughts and likes tend to read books that I like reading. I dig for long-winded descriptions, non-regular writing and I believe only now after years of reading have I found a genre of books that quench my thirst.There was a time when I went by the cover, title, the plot at the back cover and what other authors have to say about the book. I have shunned these pointers largely now. I found it often surprising that authors I admire praising the works of authors that were distasteful to me. Personal interest does bring about a mountain of difference.
Irrespective of discovering a class of books I still find myself marveling at the books strewn before me when it comes to zeroing in on a next read.
Mod
Sometimes I am never clear how I end up choosing the next book I read. I do not consciously search out a book and read it, unless its in a group read or in my reading challenge lists. I just visually scan the books in my shelf and end up picking one at random.
a combination of my mood, the book's blurb and a random couple of pages/excerpts from it.ps: one of the places housing book reviews, should one be interested in them, is the 'Barnes and Noble' website.
i usually check out the reviews of the book before reading it
i don't choose the book... the book chooses me. I read the back cover first. then if I like it, I check the name of the author. if it happens to be Mr. Chetan Bhagat, I search for the trash can, then realize he's not worth the effort. If it's someone else, I give the person the benefit of doubt, and check the price. then I check my pocket. then maybe I buy it.I don't get reviews, either by friends or professionals. many times, it doesn't serve my purpose.
Yeah. People love to hate Chetan bhagath's books. They say reading him is like watching b class movies... Speaking of b class movies, I love to watch them when a day seems dull :-D
shrsv wrote: "Yeah. People love to hate Chetan bhagath's books. They say reading him is like watching b class movies... Speaking of b class movies, I love to watch them when a day seems dull :-D"Yup, nothing wrong in watching b grade movies or novels, the only problem is when ppl mistake B grade stuff for A+ grade stuff. They think Dostoevsky is CB, while CB is the real Dostoevsky.
No, you ain't wrong, CB has his diehard fans and diehard anti-fans too... like me... I've written twice in moderate detail what I hate in his writings. I'd love to go in further detail, then I think, why waste my time on him and his crap, better read some good stuff in the time instead.I think those who have read better books already don't like his stuff at all. Or those who appreciate good writing. And those who have never read anything beyond school texts and have failed to appreciate their beauty, they like CB for precisely the same reasons ppl like me who don't like him...
I have thought for a while about the main topic of this thread for a while, and I think I have one more thing to add regarding book titles. An original title generally precedes original content, imho. But for sure, an unoriginal title precedes unoriginal content. Why? We may understand it using an analogy. Da vinci painted mona Lisa. Inspired by his magnificent work, I also painted a copy of mona Lisa. Would you like to see, understand, and spend your valuable time on my picture or da vinci's ?
I mean books with unoriginal titles are certainly not worthwhile. Authors should consider this point when they name their work and a reader when he selects a work to read, I think.
Newer books with these patterns in their titles are possibly unoriginal and not worthwhile:How to kill a...
The zen and art of...
shrsv wrote: "I have thought for a while about the main topic of this thread for a while, and I think I have one more thing to add regarding book titles. An original title generally precedes original content, i..."
Depends. If your Mona Lisa is better, I'll definitey root for you. And there's nothing such as 'original'. We are inspired by something we are not even conscious about, develop our own thoughts and add our own signature to the work. Nothing such as 'purely original'.
And well, aren't there remakes better than the 'original' works? I've seen paintings, done both by a master and the pupil, both of them have their own strong points to the extent one could not make out which was the original.
There are no rules as such. What is better, is better. Original or not.
I never said 'purely original' was important or possible. It is the degree of originality. Originality is a relative measure. The title of a book is a place where you tell what your book is about. If you avoid the effort of finding a good one and instead follow blindly the pattern of a master, I think that's so unoriginal that I can imagine how much effort you will put into the whole book. This becomes crystal clear if you look at a list of classic books. No two books have similar titles. In a list of best sellers you will find so many titles derived from classic titles.
Btw I'm curious to know which remake has surpassed a classic? Which mona Lisa is better than the original...who has copied Lord of the (anything here) has surpassed Lord of the rings. Which copy cat has surpassed zen and art of Motorcycle Maintenence?
Theoretically, as you see it, it is possible. Practical data shows such a case to be improbable.
Nope, not the Mona Lisa. I saw it on Discovery years ago, a short programme. I have no idea now about the names, so I am not very clear about it. But yes, it does happen sometimes. Not often.And yes, the title is often a good indicator, I only meant that this was not universal. I don't contradict everything you said. Only meant that there are no set rules in anything.
I am sure the rule breaks in some situations and you are right in case of painting. But the rule works when you want to filter books that are aimed more at making money than at transferring knowledge. Special ex: most books derived from art of war = mega crap
shrsv wrote: "I am sure the rule breaks in some situations and you are right in case of painting. But the rule works when you want to filter books that are aimed more at making money than at transferring know..."
Oh yes, you're right there. most books actually are crap, not all is good stuff, and often the title or the back-cover makes it evident. Every art today is money-oriented, and monetary success is not a good indicator of worth.
Foram wrote: "No, you ain't wrong, CB has his diehard fans and diehard anti-fans too... like me... I've written twice in moderate detail what I hate in his writings. I'd love to go in further detail, then I thin..."Well said...you have hit the nail on the head...about the people who have not read beyond school book stuff appreciating CB's works
I like to read books depending on genres. heavy, light, tragic, humour....After Anna Karenina, i had to read somethin light yet funny.
And i usually choose books from my Want To Read list
I tend to read a few pages of a couple of books to see how I feel about them. Also if I really enjoy a book or have been affected by it - I sometimes have to wait until the next day to start a new book! Bit strange I know :)
I pick up new book from my to-read option and based on the reviews and ratings of the books recently read by my goodread friends..
At first; Love picking a book from the land of random (too much love for randomness); try to keep its surprises intact (often by avoiding eye contacts with those, who read it). For extra measures, skip the author's name and the back page trailer...Secondly; I start the book precisely at 'random O'clock', when no one's looking!
Then; I politely ask the book if it's comfortable of me opening it, looking at it and touching it for hours..It takes a lot of courage from both the sides!
Later; It reads me more than I read it!
The story line is very important. i read d back page n decyd :DI pick up books according to friends' suggestions & goodreads reviews.
The best place for buying books r d shops selling second hand books. :)
But for new books i prefer flipkart.
An wrote: "That begs another question. Where do you prefer to by books? In a shop or online? If in shop, which one os your favorite shop? And if online, which is your favorite site?Sorry, more than one ques..."
The joy of touching a book, looking at the cover and ruffling the pages before deciding whether you want to buy it does not compare with online purchasing, albeit the latter may be more economical.
Shubha wrote: "An wrote: "That begs another question. Where do you prefer to by books? In a shop or online? If in shop, which one os your favorite shop? And if online, which is your favorite site?Sorry, more th..."
totally agreed :)
word by mouth or by net reviews or if it sparks a personal interest..!!
Mod
Yes, the price is an issue, unless its something I really really want.
An wrote: "Is the price for a book ever an issue?"Yes, it is. There are some books I would like to read and I never buy them because they are expensive. I hope to find them some day in a second hand bookshop.
Once, seen that a book was too expensive, I borrowed it at the public library. It was such a wonderful book that I wanted absolutely a copy of that book. I ordered it and spent 34 euro (2874 rupees). I spend so much only for books that are really worth but I would never risk to spend so much for books I don't know.
An wrote: "@dely - Rs. 2,874 !!! WOW!!!! What is your usual range?"For books? It is very low because usualy I buy only second hand books and there is a bookshop where I find book for 90-200 rupees (1-2 euro). Otherwhise I use to go in another second hand bookshop where you find books for half the prize and I spend 400-900 rupess (5-10 euro). It is very rare I buy new books but the one I bought for 34 euro is really worth! I wanted it in my personal library because it is a book to read and read again forever. It is this one: Life and Fate.
