Does one learn to sniff out the books they'd like before reading them?

I was wondering if one becomes better at picking which books they'll like before starting to read them as they read more and more.

I remember in high school literature class learning that there are four basic types of stories: stories of theme, stories of setting, stories of plot, and stories of character.

I didn't like LOTR except in the most exciting parts and I gave up on The Hobbit in the seventh chapter. In high school writer's craft class I choose Lewis Carrol for my author study and read Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. I didn't like them at the time.

So I think it's likely that I don't like stories of setting.

I loved The Game. Although I could see that story being dismissed as popish. Based on that evidence alone, perhaps I prefer stories of theme or character.

Anyway, back to my previous question, do people become better at predicting the stories they'll like before they read them?

From personal experience, yes and no.

The more I read the more I am able to find books I like. I do this by tracking down other books of an author whose work I like, by talking to people with similar tastes for advice, by learning to judge a book by its cover--or at least estimate it from blurbs and reviews.

But this is far from a science. I still blunder into books that I think should be interesting and aren't. And I still read books that I've passed by a hundred times and regret that I have not read it earlier.

So there added experience of age gives you some tools to better seek out books that interest you.

But also be aware that what interests you is going to change and develop (and regress) all the time. Branch off from time to time--read something you don't think will be interesting, just so you can better know yourself.

I always, at the very least, check the wikipedia page on the book but I also view this site often to gain more knowledge on a book I may read. I never walk into a bookstore without an idea of what I want to get and as a result I rarely pick up a book I strongly dislike.

I still stumble upon books that I hate, but I am able to find good books a lot easier now. Like ChicagoReader, I always research the books I am going to read before I purchase them. Although some undesirable books sneak through, mostly I'm able to read enjoyable books.

I seem to be pretty good at it. It perhaps also helps that I do have a very eclectic taste in books as well. I do have a wide area in interest and so I like to read a great many different types of books, but I usually do have a pretty good sense about whether or not I will like a book beforehand.

There are occasions when someone else will recomend a book to me or I will read a book for a discussion group that I might not have on my own made the choice to pick up and read, and end up really liking the book even though I would not have considered it something I would normally read or be interested in.

And there are also moments when I do end up not liking a book I thought I would like.

So as stated above, there is no perfect method but I do think one can get better with time and the more they read at being able to hone in on what they would enjoy reading and what perhaps they should pass up on.

I like the ones which smell like steak and onions the best.

I tend to go by word of mouth - if someone's talking about a particular book(s) you tend to get a condensed broken version but still full of interesting ideas, so if I like the sound of those ideas...

As other people have said - Look and Listen. Take a note of titles or authors that friends, teachers, newspaper reviews, tv/radio programmes mention. Look them out in a library or book shop then try the acid test: read the first page. If that makes you want to turn over and carry on reading, then that's the book for you at that moment. If it doesn't make you want to know more, ask yourself why: is the subject not of interest to you? is the style not to your taste? Maybe it's a book to come back to another day, maybe it will never hold your attention - but at least you have some reason to select or reject it at that particular time.

This method works as a random selection in a library as well, btw! It can be a bit expensive in a bookshop if you have bought a book that turns out to be one you really dislike in the long run.

And far be it from me to disagree with your high school teachers but, imo, all books have elements of Plot, Theme, Character and Setting, not one at the expense of the others.

Over the years I've become very good at it, although I still come across a disappointment or two. The best way is to continue to read the writers you already know and like, they're liable to be less disappointing than unfamiliar writers. Also, try to learn their tastes: if your favourite writer likes writer X, you probably will too. And always try to know what the story is about, if it seems interesting to you then go ahead.

Finally, never ever read books as an obligation. Most of my disappointments come from reading books that I was fooled into thinking I had to read because they were "important" or essential classics or everyone was reading them. Stick to your own identity and you'll be alright.

In the past I have usually managed to pick ones I really like and to find new authors without outside help. Having a huge Barnes & Noble nearby (4 stories of books, book, books) to browse through helped a lot. Recommendations from contributors to forums like this one, whose opinions I've come to respect, have also pointed me in good directions. When browsing, I tend to get some idea what a book is about from the blurbs and then read some isolated passages and critical commentary if it is present in the form of an introduction or afterward. This has worked well for me.

About your classification scheme for stories: Sounds kind of strange and artificial and it is likely that few actual books will fit neatly into one of the categories. Certainly the ones you cite don't. Are you sure that's a good framework for thinking about your reading experience?

I prefer stories that are driven by the characters not the plot, setting or theme.

I seem to have gotten better at judging books "based on the cover". Some years ago it seemed to be completely random whether I would like the book or not. Now I have a pretty good idea about how I will like the book. I also try to stay away from crime novels and certain authors that I know I don't like (even though they might be higly acclaimed).

If someone comes to me to praise a book they read I most definately won't bother with it. My experience tells me that when people agree on a book being great it usually is not (Da Vinci Code, the Stieg Larsson novels etc.).

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Originally Posted by Heteronym

Over the years I've become very good at it, although I still come across a disappointment or two. The best way is to continue to read the writers you already know and like, they're liable to be less disappointing than unfamiliar writers. Also, try to learn their tastes: if your favourite writer likes writer X, you probably will too. And always try to know what the story is about, if it seems interesting to you then go ahead.

Finally, never ever read books as an obligation. Most of my disappointments come from reading books that I was fooled into thinking I had to read because they were "important" or essential classics or everyone was reading them. Stick to your own identity and you'll be alright.

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Very intellegent post.

I'm reading Brave New World and I love it. It's ingenious. I'll probably read Island afterward (not directly afterward I have a trip to go on), as Eckhart Tolle mentioned how interesting it is in one of his books.

If you like BNR, does that mean you'll probably like 1984?

Well if you like dystopias, you'll probably like 1984. At least the book is really short, so you don't lose much from risking it. Also, I tend to disagree slightly with Heteronym, there are books that you should read because of their importance.

Like many others here, I usually research books before I buy them. I also occasionally buy books by authors I already like without doing any research.

I would add that if you like dystopic literature you might want to look at Yevgeny Zamyatin's We before 1984. Orwell himself admitted that he took quite a bit from Zamyatin's book.

I always look my latest book or books up on "good reads" taking a note "star" value.

I've read to page 70 (chapter 8) of 1984. Every other page I think "this is boring, I should stop reading." But every page after that I think "no, this is great, keep going."

I think it's because there's been endless description of the world and it is indeed fascinating, but there hasn't been much plot so far. Is it going to pick up.

Do most of you guys only read books you think you'll like? I read novels, plays, poetry all the time that I don't think I'll like (because I think it's worth it for the knowledge gained).

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Do most of you guys only read books you think you'll like? I read novels, plays, poetry all the time that I don't think I'll like (because I think it's worth it for the knowledge gained).

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Nah sometimes I read things just because they are considered great by a lot of people and I want to know what all the fuss is about. Sometimes I will end up liking it, but not always.

I find that if you like a certain book from one publisher or series then you will probably like most of the others. For example, Penguin books, or The Library of America, or Random House's Modern Library.