For the book-lovers among us...

[fajrdrako]

This morning an Israeli friend pointed me towards a terrific website: whichbook.net. You fill in the sort of thing you think you might feel like reading and it makes suggestions.

Would I ever follow one of their suggestions? Maybe, maybe not. I don't know how extensive their selection of choices is, but I love reading snippets about (or excerpts from) a variety of books I'd never otherwise hear of. I used to like doing book reviews for the newspaper because it introduced me to books and authors I'd never otherwise read - which has its downside too, since if I didn't like a book I was still obligated to finish it and write about it.

I set my controls to 'fairly happy, extremely unpredictable, a fair amount of sex and very unusual." My result:

Apocalypso
By Robert Rankin

Reader comment
An exuberant fantasy of old jokes, crazy ideas, running gags and unreliable anecdotes - if you like comic writing try this.


The excerpt: The man with the exploding beard was keeping his head down. Dr. Harney was gambolling aimlessly about making the sounds of a big brass band. Dilbert held up a fat finger. 'This is crap', he said. 'This fellow can't dance. Let's have him over here and see what he tastes like.' Er... offhand I think that sounds more surrealistic than funny, but maybe it needs context.

I like the idea, anyway. I could certainly waste time with this site.

Let's see, can I set it to "novels about sexy roguish outlaw heroes with cornflower blue eyes and an arcane way with literary quotes"?

Comments

[katkim.livejournal.com]

'fairly happy, extremely unpredictable, a fair amount of sex and very unusual."

I met Robert Rankin about two months ago. And I think that about sums him up. He's very outgoing, very charming and the funniest person I've met. Possibly funnier then MR in the wet-my-pants stakes. And he was wearing the strangest suit. Again, he gives MR a run for his money in the 'who buys your clothes' category. He was also very hyperactive, he managed to get a sing-a-long going, which was bizarre *g*

*gush gush gush*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You make him sound so cool! So - I should actually read this book? I'll add it to my list!

Possibly funnier then MR in the wet-my-pants stakes.

Once again my mind boggles!

[katkim.livejournal.com]

Hmm, well I like him, and his books. But I'm always a bit dubious rec'ing books to others, because it's so subjective *g*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, books are subjective, but it's always useful to hear what other people like. Because sometimes people like the same things, and recommendations are a hint in the right direction.

[thornsilver]

On Amazon.com, you can review books/movies/computer games (from 1 to 5 stars) and the site provides you with a lot of recommendations. I use the book one a lot. :)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, but I always consider amazon.com to be dangerous ground. So many temptations!

[thornsilver]

So true! Luckily for me, they deliver UPS, and I cannot pick that up. If they delivered through post office, I would have been much much poorer. :)

[msdaccxx.livejournal.com]

whichbook is a great site. In the library where I work we have a special collection based on whichbook, so people can borrow whatever is recommended.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

What a terrific idea! I should suggest this to my local library.