Why I hate giving recommendations

[Exaspera]

The History of Farting! (Sorry can't figure out how to link, yet.)

[Mr Hero]

I'd reccomend "The Tale of Scrotie McBoogerbals."

[Skeksin]

As far as the hedgehog book. That depends....is the hedgehog named Sonic?

The Dresden Files rule! In a similar vein I'm reading a series called Nightside by Simon R. Green. I think it's good stuff anyhoo.

[firecat88]

i happen to like books about witches and vampires and erotica. i'm sure the catbuttfaced reaction i was getting from a customer wanting a recommendation didn't share the same views as me.

Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter novels or something else? Also, I love getting book recommendations from people. A friend of mine fervently going 'You have to read this! You! Must! Read! This!" for a solid week was how I discovered the Dresden Files books.

[Seshat]

I don't get asked for reccommendations too often at the library,

Seriously -

Why on earth not? Masters of Library Science. Lover of books and knowledge. Who BETTER to ask for a recommendation?

Ah well.

And yes, I give more info than 'blah grade reading level'. I often give 'well, my niece recently read and enjoyed X, Y and Z books - and she's fond of (subject) and (subject)'. That hopefully provides an idea of both reading level and suitable topics.

I LOVE librarians. Possibly THE single most important scientific job in the world. If not for you guys, how would we ever keep track of what we know?

[KellyHabersham]

I don't get asked for reccommendations too often at the library, but when I do, it's usually a parent looking for something on (for example) a "first grade reading level", which I have no specific answer for because it really depends on the child in question. Or they'll ask about books that fit with "XYX reading program" at their child's school, and get frustrated because I'm not familiar with the program in question.

[Amina516]

Next time suggest Malleus Malificarum and watch them scramble away....if they remain interested, theyd probably bo good to talk to.

[AyreBiskits]

i worked at a bookstore part-time to help pay some bills my full-time job couldn't cover. i used to get that "what would you recommend?" all the time. quite honestly, i couldn't name anything that was popular or current because i really didn't have time to read anything. 70-80 hour work weeks don't really give you the freedom to sit down and enjoy a book. only books i had time to read ended up being Calvin and Hobbes or Bloom County.

i did think it was a colossal waste of time to recommend books to someone because my taste in books might not be the same as someone else's. i happen to like books about witches and vampires and erotica. i'm sure the catbuttfaced reaction i was getting from a customer wanting a recommendation didn't share the same views as me.

[Tithera]

Seriously, I think writers like James Patterson and Jodi Picoult suck. They write the same garbage over and over (just my opinion). Most of my patrons believe anything older than one year is trash that's not worth reading. Gotta love an open-minded attitude.

I agree. I don't like James Patterson at all. Same shit, different cover.

I've actually had several people ask me about books whenever I'm in the library or bookstore. I'll give my honest opinion, sometimes they'll think it over and get the author I suggested, read a little bit of it and agree that, yes, this author is good and thank me. Others, unfortunetly, will be the same as yours, turn their noses up and hem and haw about it. If you don't like my opinion, don't ask for it in the first place. Seriously.

[Marxfan]

I've come to hate giving book recommendations. When I was younger and more arrogant, I'd babble to anyone who listened what I thought were good reads. Now that I get asked on a daily basis, I realize what a chore it is, for the following reasons:

1. When people ask me, I get a brain fart and can't think of anything good. Sometimes they'll ask me out of nowhere ("I like so and so... do you have any recommendations?")

2. Sometimes I'll beat my shyness, give a long speech of something good I've read... and the patron will turn their nose up at it and ask for something else. To which I'll grit my teeth and coldly direct them to the reference desk.

3. This may have escaped everyone's attention, but EVERYBODY'S DIFFERENT!! What might be a wonderful, joyous reading experience for me might be a complete bore for you. Hell, I'm reading a book about hedgehogs! I for one am enjoying it, but how many other people would feel the same?!

4. Most people don't want any old recommendation, they only want what's new and to see if we've read them. Well, we can't always get our hands on the new releases, and besides, I think most of what comes out nowadays is... well, crap. Seriously, I think writers like James Patterson and Jodi Picoult suck. They write the same garbage over and over (just my opinion). Most of my patrons believe anything older than one year is trash that's not worth reading. Gotta love an open-minded attitude.

5. I've come to the chilling conclusion that asking for recommendations is just my patrons' way of absolving themselves of responsibility of thinking for themselves. Think of it this way, if I recommend a book or a movie and the patron hates it, guess who's fault it is? That's right, mine!

So maybe I'll give recommendations to my friends and loved ones (and perhaps the good people here at CS), but for everyone else? Think for yourselves, you lazy slugs!