Sometimes I find myself reading about books, more than reading books!

[Anon Y.]

Does anyone else have this problem? I'm holding a new book in my hand (The Seven Sisters by Margaret Drabble), but instead of reading it, I am reading what other people have to say about other books! Should my friends throw a literary intervention?!

[Beeb]

I hate to admit it but I am also having this problem. Especially when I find an author or story I like. I just keep searching and reading about the to find another book that will help me reach my ultimate goal.

[Vauny]

I end up doing this with books I don't like. I always feel vindicated looking up reviews that agree with me, especially if the reason I don't like the book is something smart sounding like chronic bechdel test failure. Sometimes I spend more time reading about books that I hate than books the I like.

[Monty Cupcake ☠ Queen of Bloodshed ☠]

I do this with books when the synopsis sounds good but doesn't wow me. I need to read other ppl's impressions and reviews to help encourage me to read it or leave it. I also will scour reviews about a book I couldn't finish because I hate not knowing the ending & spoilers. I obsessively read some of my friends' reviews even when I have no interest in the book because I enjoy the personal allegories and amusing gif's they include.

But the whole reading of reviews can definitely turn into a fall down the rabbit hole.

[Annamarie]

unfortunately I do the same thing. I build a list of to reads and never get to them.

[Lineola]

I only do this with books that I deem "would be good for me to read" (in other words, books that I believe sound literary and that I "should" read)...books that I just love, I blaze through and only belated go look at what other people say.

[Marya]

So very true!

[Raven]

*Shrugs* This may just be me, but I usually only start reading about what others have said about the book after I finish it if it really grabbed me.

Part of it is trying to avoid any accidental spoilers that people may put in their reviews, comments, etc. and part of it is wanting to have a "clean" reading experience. By that I mean that I make my own images and judgements not influenced in any way (even subconsciously) by others experiences.

Like Lineola I will read up on some books ahead of time that I feel I should read, but I don't automatically feel drawn to. Sort of like working up courage to pull that bandaid off.

[Ashli]

I do this all the time while on the book hunt. Every time I finish a series, I read up on potential new books for days. I just finished the Pucked series and now nothing sounds good.