Ask HN: How do you get recommendations for books that are up your alley?
6 comments
It's intriguing how book recs aren't really that good anywhere. I mean they are ok, but rarely great. Google and Amazon have most of the text but still don't solve this so well.
In any event, I sometimes use GoodReads. You can go to the page for a representative book and then start browsing the "readers also enjoyed" list.
I also use LibraryThing in a similar way.
In any event, I sometimes use GoodReads. You can go to the page for a representative book and then start browsing the "readers also enjoyed" list.
I also use LibraryThing in a similar way.
Why do you think the problem is hard to solve?
It's technically quite feasible with modern search and language model technology.
The challenge is in acquiring all the book text, meaningful cost to implement, and minimal paths to revenue generation.
For various reasons, the organizations that have the text aren't incentivized to deliver best recs for a user, as tim noted.
The challenge is in acquiring all the book text, meaningful cost to implement, and minimal paths to revenue generation.
For various reasons, the organizations that have the text aren't incentivized to deliver best recs for a user, as tim noted.
I subscribe to the newsletter from Borderlands books in San Francisco. The last dozen authors or series I’ve discovered have been from there.
lists.borderlands-books.com
Whenever I’m in town I stop in and buy something off their staff picks table.
lists.borderlands-books.com
Whenever I’m in town I stop in and buy something off their staff picks table.
Where do you go to find book recommendations that align with your tastes?