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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Books I Will Recommend a Book For You

Posted by Paul Constant on Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 2:30 PM

There have recently been a couple of book-related questions in Questionland (here's one and here's the other), and that always makes me happy. One of the things I miss about working in a bookstore—besides the tourists and the sleeping, farting bums and the lemming books, of course—is giving out book recommendations to people. That really was my favorite part of the job.

So I would like to say this: If you are looking for a book to read, you should ask me for advice on Questionland. Tell me what you like to read and what you don't like to read, tell me what you've read last and what you'd like to read in the future. I'll recommend a book for you, and if the chattering Questionland masses disagree, they will be sure to correct me. If you stump me—I do not, for instance, know a lot about contemporary mysteries about quilters—I'll ask a bookseller from one of Seattle's many independent bookstores for their advice. So get to askin'.

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Something about all these Questionland-promoting posts bugs me. Maybe it's that they're posted as if they're just sincere queries for information, instead of mainly promos for Questionland.

Posted by Mr. Snarky on June 3, 2009 at 2:56 PM

So if I buy Infinite Jest am I a book lemming? damn. I already looked for a used copy at a book store today. I am a book lemming.

Posted by datajunkie on June 3, 2009 at 3:08 PM

Snarky, being a cynic myself I know where you are coming from, but have you checked out Questionland? How else would you suggest this be done?

The good thing about Questionland is you can go there ANYTIME and ask Paul a question personally (or the community as a whole if you want) and he'll answer you personally. That's cool.

There's no need to get your answer in comment 123 with an @Mr Snarky which you have to search/hope for. It also has longevity and value for the community as a whole.

Finally, I think it's safe to say that Questionland is definitely not a cash cow so it's hardly crass commercialism.

Posted by CBSeattle

on June 3, 2009 at 3:10 PM

Paul's was fine, as he actually mentioned Questionland by name. Often they don't, and it's those ones that bug me, but there's not usually a comments section - such as, "Hey Seattle, can you recommend a good, honest plumber?" earlier today, with no indication that it was about Questionland. So yeah, not crass commercialism, and a fine site, but the normal nameless promotion is somehow irritating all the same.

Posted by Mr. Snarky again on June 3, 2009 at 3:24 PM