“De gustibus non est disputandum“: when it comes to tastes, there can be nothing to argue about.
I love this Latin quote because, besides being an impactful statement to throw around on any suitable occasion, it perfectly emphasizes the importance of personal tastes. Unfortunately, these are often set aside, deemed less important than what others (acquaintances, society in general) expect or want from you.
But if personal tastes are, indeed, personal, why should one feel deficient or even guilty about liking or disliking something? Especially when that “something” pertains to our passions. By definition, it involves who we are and what we enjoy doing. I don’t want to delve into philosophy or be overly pedantic in this introduction, but it stems from a series of conversations I’ve had lately with friends and colleagues about reading. Those who know me are aware that my greatest passion is reading. Always has been. Those who know me also know that my favorite genre is fantasy, with a touch of romance, especially the enemies-to-lovers dynamic. So, why is this genre often snubbed, considered childish, or not taken seriously? At some point, I found myself ashamed to admit what I enjoyed reading because I felt somehow deficient. And I know others who share this passion feel the same way.
Fortunately for me, it was a fleeting sensation. If books primarily serve me as a means to escape reality and relax, perhaps by experiencing fantastic adventures, what’s wrong with that? I’m proud of the reader I am, someone who counts both Victor Hugo’s “Notre Dame de Paris” and Cassandra Clare’s “Shadowhunters” among their all-time favorites, for two entirely different yet equally significant reasons.
This personal realization prompted me to ask a question I had always taken for granted but perhaps isn’t as straightforward as it seems: based on what do I choose what to read? I believe I know my tastes well enough by now, but reflecting on this, I tried to identify common ways people usually navigate towards their next reading choice.
A necessary disclaimer after such an introduction: there is no right, better, or more popular path among those mentioned. Above all, this is not a universal or immutable list. There’s only the person pondering, “So, what do I read next?”. That’s the only variable that truly matters.
Personal Tastes/Needs/Goals
This is perhaps the only real rule of the “how to choose what to read” club: you read for yourself, not to prove something to someone else. Consequently, you listen to your passions, consider what you like and dislike, reflect on recent readings that left a mark to help identify a genre/author/topic/saga to delve into. New releases, especially those highly anticipated, fall into this category – those sequels or new titles from our favorites that take precedence, regardless of the length of the TBR list. Knowing oneself helps determine whether to opt for a “safe” read or dive into the unknown with something unexpected. After all, we always go where the heart leads!
The last book I read in this category: “Empire of the Damned” by Jay Kristoff, which I’m actually still reading, having been released just two days ago. Yes, I have five books staring at me from the bedside table for weeks, but this sequel couldn’t wait a day longer, given that two years have passed since the release of the first one.
Recommendations/Gifts from Those Who Know Us
Those who truly know us also know when it’s the right time to suggest a read aligned with our tastes or when to surprise us with something new. It’s crucial to surround ourselves with friends who understand and respect our reading preferences or even share them. This creates stimulating moments of dialogue and allows us to gather suggestions to add to the already extensive TBR list. Family and other close figures, from partners to colleagues, also fall into this sphere, often being the architects of literary-themed gifts. Whether they were guided in their choice or improvised, it’s important to be surrounded by people who love us for the books we love in return.
The last book I read in this category: “The Long Game” by Elena Armas. Given to me by a dear couple of friends (I introduced her to Elena Armas’ books during a summer spent together), I must unfortunately admit that the iconic “Let’s Pretend It’s Love” has very little in common with it. Pleasantly predictable but, unfortunately, not equally memorable.
Social Media and Book Influencers
Booktube, bookstagram, booktok: the more, the better. The undeniable power of social movements, reading groups, and apps like Goodreads is increasingly convincing more and more, and newer generations to read. Of course, you must find profiles that genuinely appeal to you and whose recommendations can pique your curiosity. However, this is an incredibly powerful tool for gathering new inspirations, staying updated on upcoming releases, and discovering many book-related novelties.
The last book I read in this category: “Prophet Song” by Paul Lynch, influenced by the ultimate guru of the literary social community, Jack Edwards. A frighteningly relevant utopian novel, with an increasingly intense pace due to the evolving free indirect discourse as the protagonist and her family find themselves with fewer and fewer chances to escape an increasingly totalitarian regime.
Other Influences: Eminent Personalities and Industry Professionals
Personally, when I find a book in a bookstore with the tag “recommended by librarian X,” I always glance at the title to understand what prompted that person to recommend that particular book. This establishes a sense of trust with someone you don’t know, outside the realm of social media, who can reveal some surprises. The same applies to opinion or lifestyle journalists covering books, reading programs, columns in magazines, blogs, and newspapers, and, increasingly, insights from celebrities in other fields answering questions in interviews about their favorite or recent readings. (I recommend the Instagram account @celebbookrecs, which neatly collects these recommendations engagingly.) After all, every bit of advice is welcome, right?
The last book I read in this category: “The List” by Yomi Adegoke. Picked up in a Singapore bookstore precisely because it carried the tag “recommended by librarian X,” it’s a dynamic story about a couple whose relationship shatters when his name appears on an anonymous list of English harassers. A smooth pace and an interesting perspective on an unfortunately ever-relevant topic that adds new nuances to the definitions of victim and perpetrator.
Physical Characteristics
Who has never bought a Penguin Classics book because they were drawn to its marvelous covers? Guilty as charged. While waiting to have a bookshelf dedicated solely to them, I admit to being a victim of beautiful books. Their covers attract you when you walk into a bookstore, be it the font, illustrations, binding, collection, or colors. When they say that even the eye wants its share, there’s always some truth to it, books included. The exterior beauty isn’t always enough to convince us to buy a title, but at the very least, it has captured our attention.
The last book I read in this category: “Blackwater” by Michael McDowell. An engaging saga of family intrigues where power, money, and desire pull the strings in an Alabama town destroyed by a dam in 1919. The six books that make up the series are true aesthetic gems, from their small size to the rich embossed writings and illustrations. They are incredibly elegant to behold in one’s bookshelf. And the story is worth it as it progresses, making it a double victory!
Marketing Moves That Often Work
From billboards on public transport to sponsored social media posts, from positions on the “bestsellers” shelves to labels like “New York Times Bestseller” and “Winner of the 2023 Booker Prize”: strategic and captivating moves that demonstrate how advertising, in its various forms, still has the power to influence our choices and divert our attention. Success is not guaranteed, but certain marketing strategies are undoubtedly commendable!
The last book I read in this category: “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros. Acclaimed worldwide as an editorial phenomenon and one that captivated me due to its strategic placements and endorsements in bookstores. Needless to say, I loved it: enemies to lovers, dragons, gripping adventures, and promising world-building. Those who resisted the call of this title have incredible willpower (but don’t know what they’re missing)!
The Beauty of Allowing Yourself to Be Surprised
Unpredictability can be synonymous with surprise. Therefore, considering titles outside our comfort zone, taking a leap of faith following a “new” recommendation, and testing something different can prove to be a winning choice. The result is not always guaranteed, but at the very least, you would have done something different! And if it all turns out well, you’ll have gained something. Perhaps it’s the most challenging purchasing option to follow, but I recommend letting go every now and then. Just occasionally is enough.
The last book I read in this category: “Santa Evita” by Tomás Eloy Martínez. I’m not a big fan of biographies of figures close to our contemporaneity (despite being a history enthusiast, I know, I know), but I watched the Disney+ series based on this book and was fascinated by the life of Evita Peron and the ordeal her body went through due to political intrigue. The result? One of the most beautiful books I read in 2023. Precise, rich in insights and perspectives, and detailed, it completely captivated me until the last page.
The Fortune of Being on Publishing Houses’ PR Lists
Those working in the industry may have the fortune of being included in the PR lists of publishing houses for collaborations, interviews, and events. We fall among the fortunate ones (and for this, I am infinitely grateful every day), not only for the positive relationships that develop with other industry contacts but also for the advice and opportunities for new readings that stem from it. How does the saying go? Oh yes, “do what you love, and you won’t work a single day of your life”: even more true when books are involved!
The last book I read in this category: “Tracce” by Caroline Bongrand. Kindly sent to us by the Marinetti1820 publishing house, it’s a delicate and sensitive story of a mother with a mute son who, one day, starts speaking in a foreign language. A story that intertwines with the tragic past of the Jews of Thessaloniki during the Holocaust and, in this journey between yesterday and today, speaks of humanity and family touchingly and relevantly.
