Help for a reader, please

[Shankara20]

Pardon the intrusion from someone who hangs in one of the other forums, but I think you folks might be able to help.

I am looking for a website that can make recommendations for books to read based on information I provide about what I have read in the past.

Netflix, for example, will recommend movies based on several movies I have rated for them in the past. Pandora will suggest music based on my past selections.

I tried Amazon, but when I rated 4 Sara Paretsky novels and two Stieg Larsson novels (for example) they offered me a list of other works by the very same authors - but nothing new.

For the first time in my life, as I approach retirement, I have more time for leisure reading. I am woefully ignorant of who writes what and am looking for help discovering new material.

Anyone have any suggestions of places on the web to find such help?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Pardon the intrusion from someone who hangs in one of the other forums, but I think you folks might be able to help.

I am looking for a website that can make recommendations for books to read based on information I provide about what I have read in the past.

Netflix, for example, will recommend movies based on several movies I have rated for them in the past. Pandora will suggest music based on my past selections.

I tried Amazon, but when I rated 4 Sara Paretsky novels and two Stieg Larsson novels (for example) they offered me a list of other works by the very same authors - but nothing new.

For the first time in my life, as I approach retirement, I have more time for leisure reading. I am woefully ignorant of who writes what and am looking for help discovering new material.

Anyone have any suggestions of places on the web to find such help?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Shank!

Try Goodreads.com. And in fact, both Amazon and Barnes&Nobel have a "readers of this book recommend" function-- you wouldn't have to buy the books from them, but browsing that way can be handy.

 

[litfan10]

As Stella mentioned, I find the "based on your browsing history" function at B&N and Amazon to be quite helpful. Back when I worked for Waldenbooks we had a binder of "if you like __________ (author) then try these ___ (authors). While Waldenbooks and Borders have gone the way of the dodo, B&N or even your local library might be able to give you such suggestions. You could also try us here as we can be very well read. Hit us with some author names and see what people here might suggest.

Good luck and welcome to the AH. Have fun! -LF

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I generally solicit recommendations from friends, or read what my favorite authors recommend.

A friend suggested Elmore Leonard, and he's excellent. Leonard then recommended George V.Higgins, and Higgins is excellent. Ditto for Cormac McCarthy and John LeCarre.

 

[sr71plt]

I generally solicit recommendations from friends, or read what my favorite authors recommend.

Friends??? Hahahahahaha.

 

[estragon]

If you're reading stories posted here on Lit and find an author whose work you like, check out his/her favorite authors, by clicking on the author's name on the story page.

 

[RodenAddison]

Okay. Confession time. I tend to read a lot of political philosophy and economics books. I also read Frederic Bastiat, some Lord Acton, Dostoyevsky, etc. I'm a fun guy. Maybe it's why I come up with so many weird ideas. My brains trying to compensate for all the pain I cause it. I also read historical fiction--I love Jack Whyte--and more recently, books on grammar and usage. (I blame you estragon.)

Anyway, that said, the recommendations I get all seem to be on child rearing and cooking. I don't think they know what to do with me.

PLEASE post how you make out with any sites you may find that give a reasonable idea on what you might like next.

 

[Shankara20]

So many ideas!

Just as soon as I get Monday under control I'll return.

 

[Shankara20]

Try Goodreads.com.

Looks promising, Thanks bunches

 

[oqpyts]

My brains trying to compensate for all the pain I cause it. I also read historical fiction--I love Jack Whyte--and more recently, books on grammar and usage.

 

[Andrew67]

http://www.50centloseweight.comGood job!