Goodreads opened up its annual reader poll for Best Books of 2013. I discovered in going through the poll that I had not read a single title on the list! Kind of makes me wonder if I am reading the ‘wrong’ books. At very least, I am not reading the books that are currently popular.
I can think of several reasons for this:
1. I read a number of books that would fall under the category of “religious” which was not included in the poll. That is pretty central to my identity and work, so I will probably go on reading a number of those books, and I find there are those in this “niche” who seem to appreciate what I have to say about these books.
2. I tend to pick up lots of my books at second hand stores and so am reading things that have been out for a while, usually longer than a year.
3. It also tends to take me a while to work through the stack of books unless something is of such current interest and importance to me that I make it a priority to read.
4. I do read some books in the categories that are polled, but usually those that have stood the test of a few years and have been recognized as significant books–“so many books, so little time” is a mantra for me.
Still, it was valuable to go through the lists and in some categories I cast votes for the books I would like to read, for example I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai. I also voted for a book by John Scalzi in science fiction since my son has recommended him. I do want to pick up some of his stuff.
What is your experience when it comes to reader polls like this or other best-seller lists? Do you find yourself reading what lots of others read, or do you tend to choose “the road not taken” by others?
I’m kind of in the same boat as you, though I do buy newer books if they happen to be a “Kindle Daily Deal” or sound unusually interesting. The book I just finished was written in 1984, and my current read is from 1987. I do read some newer books as a result of your recommendation of NetGalley though sporadically at best. Usually NPR or the Daily Show are my two recommenders for popular or at least recent books worth reading. I still tend to be a little of a contrarian when it comes to popular literature though Amazon’s reading samples have gotten me to dip my toe into certain authors, though rarely to buy them. Case in point: one of the books going around is The Bone Season, and I couldn’t get through half of the free sample. This gives me an awareness of the popular fiction, if not a deep knowledge. In short it’s a bit time, a bit quality, and a lot money that causes the lag.
Even with NetGalley, there is a lag time for me to get around to reading something. Probably shouldn’t download unless I’m ready to read a NetGalley title–sometimes they are just tempting. Haven’t tried the Amazon samples but that may be a way to check out more popular fiction. BTW, I do want to read some Scalzi some time–where would you suggest I start?
Old Man’s War is the first of his main sci-fi series, though The Human Division might not be a bad way to start either (set in the same universe but stand-alone). The Human Division was a 13 episode eBook compiled into a full novel this year, but I think you can pick up the individual episodes still for 99 cents. The first is novella length and should give you a good idea of the flavor of his writing. Also good is his blog, Whatever, particularly his blog compilations (the latest The Mallet of Loving Correction).