Consumer Book Review site

[michrennie]

Okay I admit it: I'm lazy. I don't make time to read lengthy book reviews by qualified critics. I'm a sucker for a simplistic five-star system with capsule reviews. Does anyone know of a good site where people review and comment on books they've read. Surely such a thing must exist, right?

Comments

[alanpartlow]

Doesn't Amazon do that? For what it's worth I find consumer reviews of books completely useless. They tell you more about the reader than the book. Here are a few ways I chose books:

I like to go through "prize" lists. That is I chose books from National Book Award winners, Booker Prize, etc. For the most part, but not always, these books tend to stand the test of time.

I'm a huge fan of the public library, and they usually have a section devoted to staff picks and reader picks. Staff picks are usually better since they come from book geeks. Also, if you pick a turd you're not out $30 and can return it unread guilt-free.

As friends for recommendations: I find this to be more difficult these days as most people I know read very little and are likely to recommend it just because they read it and didn't hate it.

Take a look at Harper's Magazine. I've discovered some good writers through their essays or short stories. Also, they have a Books In Brief section at the end that has mini reviews.

[michrennie]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I guess I was looking for a higher level version of the Amazon reviews -- something where I could search by author, subject, etc. Friends recs are always good, but often I'm in the mood for something content- or genre-specific. So unless my friends have been reading historical fiction set in Southern Florida, I'm out of luck. I found one site that looks pretty decent, but now I can't find it...will post it when I'm back at my home 'puter.

[michrennie]

Yup! That's the one. Thanks.