I absolutely love getting new books. I love the way books feel, and I love the anticipation of something I haven't read. And this summer, I have really read a lot. To keep track, I have a Goodreads account where I post every time I finish a book. I love having an online tracking system; and best of all, Goodreads sends me recommendations for new books based on what I have read. This solves my most pressing literary problem: what to read next. I am not good at sorting through the shelves of the library or the bookstore and having any success. I am also not good at shopping at TJ Maxx for the same reason. So this summer I have found a new system. I take my recommendations from Goodreads or from friends, and I order the books from the library using the number on the back of my library card. They send me an email when my books have arrived, and voila! Oh, how I love that little card.
This has worked swimmingly all summer, but last week I had a little snafu. I have a mystery series that I have loved for over 10 years. The books are "culinary mysteries," meaning that the main character is a caterer and the books have food and recipes woven into the plots. They are a treat to read. So after I finished one, Amazon suggested a book called, Don't Kill the Birthday Girl. Clever. So I ordered it from the library and was surprised to discover, upon picking it up, the subtitle: Tales from an Allergic Life. Not a mystery, but a very sad memoir by a girl who is allergic to nearly every food imaginable and for whom the term anaphylactic is a common occurrence. It was the absolute antithesis of a culinary mystery, and a difficult read. I admit, I probably shouldn't have read it while eating a peanut butter apple because I realized, guiltily, that the next person who reads the book will perhaps be deathly allergic to peanuts and I had peanut-ty fingerprints all over it. But the book looked hardly read, and will definitely NOT be headed for the best seller list, so maybe I'm okay. I've learned my lesson; Amazon is great for so many things, but not so much for recommending books.
Next on the list: Hunger Games. I'm not excited about reading it; isn't that crazy after the allergy book?
Can anyone motivate me?
3 comments:
Oh I so much agree with all this! Love Goodreads, love the library. sorry for the bad Amazon selection. Yipes! I loved Hunger Games, but I wouldn't push it on someone who isn't ready for it. It is intense, violent and shocking. Honestly, I can't say what I loved about the series, it's almost disturbing to even say I loved it! But there you go. I did. And I recently had a friend suggest those culinary mysteries. I will definitely have to pick up them now!
Amy, contrary to the previous person, I WILL push you to read the Hunger Games series. I LOVED it. Yes, it can be violent and graphic at times, but really it's the story and the characters that captivate you. I've read other YA novels and they can be very juvenile. I did not feel that way about the Hunger Games. I really don't think you will regret reading it. On a separate note, I guess I should join Good Reads. I've read several books this summer and always have a list of books waiting for me to read from the library, but I really would love some recommendations based on what I like. Sorry for the lengthy comment. You got me started on books. Anyway, take the plunge and let me know what you think!
Amy- Let me know what those "culinary mystery" books are...always up for a great read and those sound DELICIOUS :)! By the way the Hunger Games series is a quick read- a total escape. Worth the read. Email me when you have a minute megganfelt@hotmail.com
Thanks!
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