Book Girl: A Journey Through the Treasures & Transforming Power of a Reading Life by Sarah Clarkson.
Book Girl Discussion Question #3: In chapter 1, the author offers some guidelines about how to choose books and how to discern what constitutes good reading. How do you choose what book to read next? Are there people in your life whose recommendations you particularly resonate with?
Sarah Clarkson suggests we look at literary quality and worldview as we decide to which books we will give our time and attention. These are good criteria, but a bit slippery and subjective to apply. Many books that are supposed to be high in literary quality or that have a perfectly adequate Christian worldview are just not good for me. So, how do I choose what I will read? (Anne Bogel, aka Modern Mrs. Darcy, phrases the question, “What should I read next?,” and she has an entire podcast dedicated to answering that question for a diverse cast of guests on her podcast.)
I read a lot about books. I read other people’s recommendations. I listen to what other people are saying about what they are reading, and I consider the source. I don’t care for Christian romance novels or secular bodice-rippers, so if I know that your taste runs to those sorts of books, I probably will take your recommendations with a large grain of salt. On the other hand, if you love some of the same books that I love, I will listen to your recommendations with focused attention.
I try out books that I think I will like, and I’m willing to give up after 100 pages or so if a books is just not for me. I think both being willing to try new things and being willing to say that this book is just not worth my time are important skills to learn for a reader. I can’t read all of the books, and some of them are just not good—or not good for me at this time and place in my life. I don’t care for, and didn’t finish, several books that are favorites, even classics, for other people. I hated Lonesome Dove, even though I can read and enjoy other Western writers. I don’t plan to read any more Hemingway or Steinbeck in my lifetime, and I thought A Prayer for Owen Meany was both ridiculous and demeaning. But I did try all of those authors and books at least once, and if they are your favorites I do not impugn your literary taste. It’s probably something lacking in me that I cannot appreciate some books that many other people love.
I pick up whatever is handy or appealing. I make lists. I read whimsically and widely. I sometimes make a plan, and I sometimes throw out the plan. I read the latest, greatest that everyone else is reading, and I read obscure books that hardly anyone else has even heard of or read.
How do you choose your next read?
I choose books pretty much the same way you to, Sherry, with the addition of samples. I read blogs, newspapers, and a couple of book-related magazines. When something catches my eye, even a little bit, I either add it to a wish list or just send myself a Kindle sample. I go through the samples quite regularly, and try to decide for each one: yes on Kindle, yes in print, yes on audio, add to library list, or no. Sometimes if something shows up for $1.99 on a Kindle daily deal I’ll just buy it. And there are occasionally books I’ll pre-order based on the review or my experience with the author.
I did just get a copy of Book Girl, by the way (print, for nightstand reading).
I enjoyed Book Girl but I admit to being prodigious. I care very much for Sarah. Having said that, I have learned to trust my instincts in what I read and what the kids read when they were growing up. For instance, Sarah is a fan of the Harry Potter books (although if I remember, she didn’t read them until she was in her late teens or twenties) and I made the decision not to read them. Lots of other Christian book loving friends I know are fans, too.
I’ve learned to give a lot of grace to others in their decisions of what to read and bite my tongue. Unless the person ask for my opinion (my kids will always get my opinion). If I am reviewing a book, I do provide a warning for anything someone may find objectionable.
I have an ever-growing TBR list that I probably will not live ling enough to finish. But that’s ok: I always have something to look forward to that way. 🙂
Several factors influence my choice of what to read next. When I find an author I like, I tend to read their other works. I consider books that like-minded people recommend. But I have been disappointed a few times: people can be like-minded in core beliefs but still vary widely in what they find good and acceptable. If a movie I liked was based on a book, I’ll often look up the book. I was not exposed to a lot of classics as I grew up, so I have made a point of reading them now. But a book is not good just because it’s a classic. I loved Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, but other samples of his writing turned me off. I’ve attempted to read The Great Gatsby a few times but haven’t gotten beyond the first few pages yet. Romances and mysteries aren’t my first choice, but I’ve enjoyed some.
My choices on what to read next vary from the season to the cover and everything in between. It might be a book from an author I adore that was just released to a premise that captures my attention. I too have a TBR that is leaning over, but I love checking it out from time to time. I think the only thing I’ve changed lately is trying to get to the books that I’ve purchased and are piled up next to my reading chair.