How do you identify good fiction?
Asked by
xxii (
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January 6th, 2011
I’ve often faced this problem when trying to pick out fiction books. Say you’re at the bookstore, and you want to pick up a work of fiction, but you don’t have any titles in mind.
When you browse the shelves and pick up a book, how do you decide whether it’s worth a read or not? A good-looking cover? An interesting blurb? Do you stick with trusted authors or genres?
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8 Answers
I usually go with a book in mind, either from the NYT, or recommendation from several people I follow on www.goodreads.com. This bookstore was voted the Best Independent Bookseller, and their suggestions never disappoint.
Research.
Read the prologue of books. It’s the opening to a story that gives details about the story, characters and story line. If it’s possible sit there and read the first chapter; it might get you hooked on the book and the writer’s style. You can’t go by what other people like, you have to find your on genre.
I hate books with sad endings, or dark themes. I guess I’ve lived through enough darkness I’m not interested in reading about more of it. So I will often flip through a book to see how it goes, and read the last chapter or two before I’ll decide to read it all.
I got started doing this after being assigned to read Lord of the Flies in high school. I hate that book.
Sometimes I think I’m doing it with a dowsing rod.
I look for authors I respect. I read the blurbs and maybe a bit of the book. I check out the concept to see if I think it’s interesting.
But I do that all online these days. I’m a bad boy. I can’t remember the last time my shadow darkened the door of a book seller. And it’s not just because I don’t have a shadow.
An unusual plot usually helps. The cover is usually what will draw me in, unless I already heard some good stuff or trust that the author always tells interesting tales.
Ultimately it depends on the mood I am in when looking for a book to read.
The books I do tend to stay away from are doom and gloom books. If I want to get depressed for entertainment than I only need to catch up on world events. I just don’t see the appeal in sad stories.
If you’re shopping in a physical bookstore (rather than online), they often have a display of staff picks. Having worked in a bookstore for 6 years, I can tell you that most employees are also avid readers. While I didn’t agree with all of my coworkers’ picks, that’s where you can often find wonderful stuff that you might otherwise overlook.
I have never bought a book online. I agree with AmWiser, research is the best way to find a good book. Don’t worry about other peoples opinions unless you think them worthy of your trust. I generaly try to read a chapter or so of a book before deciding on wether or not to buy it.
I admit that I am hard to please with my reading material, but as they say,‘to each, his own’. After you find a few authors that you enjoy reading it should get simpler.
Good luck – WhenAllLightDies
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