Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Bestsellers vs. rare gems

I've been thinking a lot lately about what I want this blog to be and I would like a little input. When it comes to finding books to read, do you want to know if the lastest, greatest are clean books (or clean enough) or are you looking more for those little gems that not everyone knows about? I've been thinking that I would like to try to start reading books from the Bestseller List so I can report their questionable content. Those are the ones that I am often most curious about because I see them everywhere I go. Are you interested in bestsellers? Do you prefer young adult and juvenile fiction? Would you prefer to learn about books that not everyone is reading? I'm really interested to hear what you prefer to read and how you choose it.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmmm . . . interesting question. I think I would like a little of both. As you know, I like cleaner reads but it's always hard to judge what's in a book. I do read popular books and I do love books that are "rare gems." Hard to give an answer one way or the other.

Kristyn said...

I like some of both too. I am always looking at the popular best sellers. And just recetnly I did purchase one (after reading tons of reviews) and got several chapters in and had to quit because it was not clean.

Kim said...

Which book was that Kristyn?

Kristyn said...

The Time Traveler's Wife

Rebecca Reid said...

I'd agree that I look for a combination of both "classic" and best-seller, although I tend to not like "modern" best sellers as much--I don't think they are often as clever or well-written as those that have withstood the test of time.

I won't finish a book if it has "not clean" things in it. But everyone has their own standards. What you say is "dirty" may not bother me at all. I'm bothered when "modern" books have "junk" (i.e. dirty language, situations, etc.) in them but not so with tasteful classics with similar issues. Maybe that is because often the modern "junk" isn't necessary for the plot but classics only have that stuff if it's important to the plot.

How do I choose? I look at recommendations but also rely on reading lists and award winners.

Jeanette said...

Good question! I like to read current books but so many of them are not clean that it can be difficult to decided which to read. For example, I was planning to read Water For Elephants until I heard negative things about it. So, if someone else reads them and tells me if they are clean or not helps me. :-)
I also love finding the gems that don't seem to be the popular books, old or new. And of course classics are not necessarily clean.
I would say you should read what you are comfortable with. If you don't want to read a book with questionable content then I wouldn't read it just so you can write about it on your blog.

Not quite the Bradys said...

Both here too. I'd like to see a nice balance. I agree with what Jeanette said that you shouldn't read a book with questionable content just so can blog about it. I would feel like I was somehow causing someone else to read inappropriate material just because I read this blog. I don't want that. : )