Reliable Recommendations

Posted on | May 17, 2010 | 30 Comments

Do you, like me, have that one blogger whose posts you are at times cautious about reading because you know that they will undoubtedly add to your wish-list? Book bloggers in general do that for me but there is one blogger who regularly introduces me to books I have never heard of before or cements in me the need to read a particularly book, usually persuading me to move it from my wish-list to my shopping basket then and there. In my recent acquisitions post at the weekend I mentioned Paper Towns by John Green and that was one such book. When Nymeth of Things Mean a Lot recommends a book to me, I usually sit up and notice; we share favourite authors -Angela Carter, Sarah Waters, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, T.C. Boyle, Maria Tatar- and favourite books and interests so I trust that her recommendations will be books that I will similarly love.

Currently I have a couple of reviews outstanding of books that have been recommended by Nymeth and the above stack of books are precariously close to toppling off the top of my immediate to-be-read pile. One of the books, The Fox Woman, was sent to me by Nymeth herself as she thought it so good that she had to buy it for someone and, another, The True Story of Hansel and Gretel, was sent to me by Teresa of Shelf Love in a book bloggers’ recommendation give-away (Nymeth had made me desperate to read it by simply mentioning the book and then more so when she reviewed it). Nymeth’s blog was the first place I read about Tender Morsels and I know that it will be a book that I will fully embrace too; Monkey Beach is also one of her all-time favourite books and I finally caved and bought a copy for myself. In the Time of Butterflies is a book I had added to my wish-list after reading The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (another Nymeth recommendation), in which it is mentioned; shortly after doing so Nymeth serendipitously reviewed In the Time of Butterflies and convinced me to buy it.

All of these books are ones I have been itching to read but am saving for that perfect moment where I can do them justice with time and concentration. I am so thankful for Nymeth’s influence as I have discovered so many wonderful -and off the beaten track- books and authors courtesy of her direct recommendations and the enthused and energetic way she blogs. I hope, it turn, that when I do read and review these books than I can pay forward the influence to some of you. Nymeth and I are also co-reading and reviewing a book later this month, which I am very excited about.

Comments

30 Responses to “Reliable Recommendations”

Verity
May 17th, 2010 @ 10:45 am

What a lovely post! I tend to get recommendations from all over the blogs as my taste is quite eclectic, but Jane at Fleur Fisher has very very similiar tastes to me and I love seeing what she has chosen from the library.
mee
May 17th, 2010 @ 12:32 pm

I think Nymeth single-handedly moved the whole book blogging community to read Tender Morsels . I finished it so my review is coming up soon.
vivienne
May 17th, 2010 @ 12:51 pm

Nymeth has definitely changed the books I read. I would say that nearly half of the books I read each month have come from her recommendations. I dread her coveting posts as I know all the books will be superb.
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
May 17th, 2010 @ 1:15 pm

Nymeth recommends some great books, but I don’t think my taste matches with hers (or yours!) so I’m lucky not to be feeling as though I should be buying every one of her wonderful recommendations. She persuaded me to read Tender Morsels, but although I enjoyed it I didn’t love it. I also bought The Love you Share without Knowing based on her wonderful review.

I also bought Monkey Beach – but I’m sure it was you who recommended it?!

Wendy from Caribous Mom
http://www.caribousmom.com
is my dangerous blogger. She only has to mention how much she loves a book and I have to buy it!
Amy
May 17th, 2010 @ 1:26 pm

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel is an amazing book. Loved it.
Iris
May 17th, 2010 @ 3:13 pm

I have a few bookbloggers who’s recommendations I trust blindly and Nymeth is among them. She always surprises me with her selection of books and I have to admit I’m rather curious to find out how she manages to do so.
Aarti
May 17th, 2010 @ 5:28 pm

I love Ana’s recommendations, too! I often compare my site to hers and think I’m quite ineffective in getting anyone to read the books I want them to the way that she is

However, I think I also like to read a lot of book blogs, but they don’t always make me go out and get those books immediately. I love Eva’s blog (A Striped Armchair) for how eclectic her taste is, and I also always make a point of visiting The Zen Leaf and Raging Bibliomania, even if our tastes are different because they have such in-depth and thoughtful responses to books- not so much reviews in that way.
Nymeth
May 17th, 2010 @ 6:59 pm

Aw, thank you so so much, Claire! This post made my day It makes me very, very happy to hear you’ve been enjoying my recommendations, and I can say the exact same about yours. You have encouraged me to be more adventurous in my reading and explore new territory, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that. Plus I have you to thank for all the lovely Persephones I have enjoyed and will surely continue to enjoy Thank you for everything, and here’s to many more years of sharing lovely book recommendations!
stujallen
May 17th, 2010 @ 7:11 pm

i love nymeth blog ,may be like jackie our tastes are different but ,she always makes you think about the books she reviews ,all the best stu
Beth F
May 17th, 2010 @ 7:12 pm

What a lovely post. Yes, Nymeth can be dangerous!
Simon (Savidge Reads)
May 17th, 2010 @ 7:31 pm

I have lots of bloggers who I listen to the words of on books (especially Novel Insights but thats just from knowing her so long and so well outside of blogging)not always quite to getting from the library or anything – apart from buying them this year – though but if I have a book on the TBR that someone else mentions I tend to vere away from it for fear of spoilers or them hating it as I know it will sway me against it. It’s the books I see people read and would never have considered that set my bookish taste buds going.
rhapsodyinbooks
May 17th, 2010 @ 8:07 pm

I too regularly add to my reading pile from whatever Nymeth reads. She’s so talented and will make a wonderful librarian!
Amy @ My Friend Amy
May 17th, 2010 @ 10:14 pm

I also take me recommendations from many sources due to my eclectic taste, but I adore Nymeth’s blog and feel she blazes a very important trail.

One thing I’ve noticed recently about recommendations is how while I may not love a book as much as someone I love does, I can usually find all the reasons they love it while reading. I love that books connect to us one another in this way.
Chris
May 17th, 2010 @ 10:44 pm

I could not agree with this post more! Nymeth would most definitely be my “go to blogger” too for recommendations. I felt an instant connection to her when I “met” her. And she’s just such a great reviewer. Loved this post
claire (kiss a cloud)
May 18th, 2010 @ 12:11 am

Who doesn’t love Nymeth?? Our reading tastes may not always overlap, but I continue to be drawn to her blog, because, like you say, her tastes are so eclectic that there’s always an element of surprise. I especially love reading about fantasy on her blog, because I too am a very big fan, and most of the blogs I follow do not usually read fantasy. She’s introduced many new authors to me as well. I owe John Green/Paper Towns to her as too! And Sarah Hall!, who, though I’ve not read, have been meaning to ever since I read about on her blog. Her reviews are always so thoughtful and she is such a wonderful person that it’s always a joy to visit her blog.

There are so many bloggers who influence my reading, but one of the most dangerous to me is Frances of Nonsuch Book. Can’t count how many books I’ve read and purchased because of her. And it’s always a hit, never a miss! (At least, so far as I can remember..)

Yours is another dangerous blog to me as well!!
Marie
May 18th, 2010 @ 12:23 am

First of all, LOVE your pictures. you take great pictures of books.Second, I have the Julia Alvarez in my TBR as well and am looking forward to it. ANd yes, I have a few bloggers whose blogs always add something to my pile- yours among them!
Rebecca Reid
May 18th, 2010 @ 3:00 pm

Another pretty book stack. I know exactly what you are saying. Reading blogs is always a rather dangerous experience….my TBR is out of control!!
Jodie
May 18th, 2010 @ 3:47 pm

Oh yes Nymeth’s a biiiiiiig influence on my TBR list. Aren’t you sweet to post about her influence Renay over at Subverting the Text is definately a go to blogger as well as Bookshelves of Doom and Chasing Ray so I guess those gals are the top four sources that increase my wobbling book piles, but lots of other people play a pretty big part.
Hannah Stoneham
May 18th, 2010 @ 5:49 pm

I think that the wonderful thing about the book blogisphere is how we all influence each other’s reading… Only today, Verity has introduced me to more books about Mass Observation – which I am very interested in at the moment – and yes – Nymeth is terribl for adding to my TBR….

Lovely post –

Hannah
kimbofo
May 18th, 2010 @ 9:55 pm

My “go to” blogger is definitely Lisa of ANZ Litlovers. I’ve ordered so many books as a consequence of reading her reviews.

I will be interested to hear what you make of Hansel & Gretel. I tried to read this on my holiday in Oz at Christmas and just could not get into it. Perhaps I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind for it? I might give it a second shot when I’m in a more receptive mood.
Vasilly
May 19th, 2010 @ 2:42 am

I think we all love Ana!I’ve bought and read many books because of her.
softdrink
May 19th, 2010 @ 4:30 pm

Nymeth is very dangerous to my TBR list, too.

And yay for Monkey Beach! That’s a book I rarely see mentioned…I read it a few years ago and loved it.
Darlene
May 19th, 2010 @ 6:59 pm

You’ve found a kindred spirit in Nymeth! Rachel, Verity, Simon, JoAnn, Stacy and you have been such a wonderful resource for my book recommendations. I have filled a bookcase from which I’ll be reading for quite some time…so thanks to you all!
Lisa Almeda Sumner
May 20th, 2010 @ 8:06 pm

Thanks for a great post–you obviously struck a nerve! By the way, I finally posted my actual review of my Persephone Week read! Next year I plan to get more of a head start on Persephone week. Thanks for calling my attention to a beautiful press.
bybee
May 21st, 2010 @ 2:42 pm

I always have my wishlist notebook in hand when I visit Nymeth’s page.
Andreea
May 22nd, 2010 @ 5:51 pm

I know how you are feeling. Nymeth is responsible for my never ending wish list and thanks to her I have discovered Neil Gaiman, Susanna Clarke and other wonderful authors and genres! I am glad she did the same for you!
Rachel
May 25th, 2010 @ 2:04 am

I’ve promised myself I won’t buy any more books until I’ve eaten through some of the ones I already own. That said, some of these sound interesting.
Frances
May 30th, 2010 @ 1:31 am

Now that I have finished it, I am curious to see what you make of Tender Morsels.

Those most responsible for my acquisition issues are actually the book design bloggers. Seems great design often syncs with great content. Especially love FaceOut Books, Caustic Cover Critic and The Casual Optimist.
Simon T
May 30th, 2010 @ 10:34 pm

Just popping in to say “Tag!” – on this post; http://stuck-in-a-book.blogspot.com/2010/05/tea-and.html
Have a go if you’d like!
Stujallen
June 2nd, 2010 @ 11:55 pm

hope see you back soon claire miss you ,stu