What I Read is Based on What I Read
When I consider how I find books to read, a lot of my reading list is based on reviews in articles I read. Here’s a rough list of how I select books to read in order of frequency of finding interesting books in their lists:
- “The Week” book reviews
- “Seattle Times” book reviews
- “People” magazine book reviews
- Browse at Costco
- Barnes and Noble email updating me to new books by authors I have previously read
This means that what I read is mainly based on 4 book review editors. Much has been written about how books become best sellers or garner media attention and so I am obviously part of the beneficiary end of the literary machine. This does lead me to wonder just how many great and wonderful books I may be missing simply because the authors haven’t found a way into The System. Now, were I to have unlimited time on my hands I think I might explore independent publishing a bit more as the internet has made this quite accessible. But, I do not have much time to read as it is and so this exploration will just have to fall into the category of self improvement items I don’t have time for. Thus I will continue to rely on the various branded editorial experts to narrow my reading choices for me realizing that this isn’t necessarily desirable. I suppose I’ll make a change when I run out of things to read in this manner, though I have a feeling that the publishers of the publications I read will make sure that won’t happen. As long as I find their lists useful, they’ll keep getting my money. I believe they call it capitalism.
I suppose the Amazon Kindle store editors will soon be joining my list above. I’ll let you know.
Parental Musing of the Day
Trying not to let this blog slip too far off topic, but still, how can a two year old swim for 30 minutes grinning a big toothy grin the whole time? How does she not swallow the whole pool this way? Is swimming really that great that this grin is still in place every day in the pool even after a year of lessons twice a week? Appears to be money well spent, apart from the fact that she still can’t swim without a float.
Today’s Print Reading List
- Seattle Times, entire March 17th edition (PRINT) with breakfast
- Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart (PRINT) at the nail salon
- The Week, latest issue (PRINT) at bedtime
See My Book Report for my reviews.
Approximate print reading time: 2.5 hours
Today’s Online Reading List
- Kindle Blogs
- Drudge Report
- Amazon.com- shopping for b-day presents
Approximate online reading time: 1 hour
Online reading list added as a general idea of what I was was reading online today. Email is not included.
