but it knows the way into your very soul. It knows your deepest desires. Feeding your want of books also feeds the beast.I, for one, have about 600 plus books on Goodreads. Most are marked as to-read, and it will keep on growing. The Hype Monster has indeed taken over my to-read pile. Sometimes I have to give into the hype. Because it's worse being left out, not knowing what everyone is talking about. I like being kept up-to-date. I love obsessing over a book and it’s only better when friends join in.
When you fall prey to this powerful beast, you never know what you’ve gotten yourself into. Maybe you'll hate it more than you thought you would. Maybe you'll be disappointed after such high expectations. Or maybe you'll love it. Maybe you'll find a new author to stalk. Book lovers know what other book lovers want to read. They’re usually right most of the time, for a considerable amount of people. Recommendations can make or break you.
It takes a lot of time and perseverance to sort through all the recommendations for the truly good books. We’re all looking for a memorable one that will keep us thinking long after we finish. Sadly, it seems that every time I finish a great book, more have already been released during the week. It’s an unwinnable game of catch-up. My wallet is losing the game too. Books are my personal luxury. I can’t seem to stop myself from wanting all of the books. It’s why I could never go on a book-buying ban. For those you who have resisted buying books, I admire you greatly. I can never decide what book to pick. Reading one book at a time just isn’t possible anymore. Everyone says this book has a great plot. Everyone says that one has a ridiculously swoony boy. You haven’t read so and so yet? But the ending is to die for! All these opinions are tearing me apart.
Tell me, are book recommendations and the hype for the latest hype overwhelming you? Do you, as a reader, trust the popular opinion of a book? Does a lot of hype turn you off from reading a book?
The elusive Linda-saurus: (book_ninja)Mover and shaker by day, book-ninja by night. Only native to Florida. Afraid of small children but has an affinity to the elderly. Beware of her sarcastic humor.
Categories: Discussion with Linda
I pick and choose which recommendations I actually add to my too read list, since my taste strays away from that of many bloggers (the current Fifty Shades hype is a good example) but if enough people like a book that seems to be up my alley, I'm happy to jump on the bandwagon, and have rarely been disappointed when I do!
ReplyDeleteI try not to fall victim to it, but sometimes you can't resist it, especially when it seems like EVERY blogger is going on about a book you feel you'd love. So, I use my library to get a lot of new books, especially because if I was buying hardcovers every week, I wouldn't be able to afford it!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I have to try to ignore what everyone is reading.. but then I can't resist. For example Fifty Shades of Grey. Totally a waste of my time but I had to know what everyone was talking about!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I've bought a crazy amount of books due to the hype and a lot of the time I'm disappointed. I wouldn't say I'm on a book-buying ban, but I'm trying to refrain from frivolously buying books. Instead, I'd rather buy books that I love and have read. Because of this, I've been using my local library a LOT. Rather than letting my wallet give into the hype, I'll get the hyped up book from the library. So far it's working!
ReplyDeleteThough, while it's easy to give into the hype, there are also so many books that are years old that I still want to read -- the hype doesn't just fall to new books!
Thanks for sharing!
HAHA! I read 50 Shades because of the hype too and I agree, complete waste of time. I just couldn't stop myself.
ReplyDeleteAha! Glad you're not persuaded by the 50 Shades hype. Bloggers give some great recommendations. I've found the best books through bloggers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Right? It makes you wonder what's so special about the book that everyone loves it. Then you have to read it! My library is an awesome tool to get books. Another hardcover fan. *high fives*
ReplyDeleteOMG I TOTALLY AGREE! Sometimes I'll see a book that's been soo hyped up that I immediately want to read it and never let it go :P I don't even look at my GR shelf anymore I just mark the RANDOMEST things as "To Read" and then never bother to get rid of them if I don't want to read them anymore >.< Mainly I put it down on a list (that's UBER SMALL) and then say "Okay let's buy this one, get this one at the library, and pine after this one and then forget about it" I'm a weird person :P
ReplyDelete*high five* Yeah, I also wouldn't have room if I bought all the new releases in hardcover.
ReplyDeleteI agree! I hate it when I read a hyped up book but the actual book turns out less than stellar. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI agree. I hate when everyone is talking about a book so I buy it and end up hating it.
ReplyDelete