Books recommended by what they share

Most recommendation lists are built from what other people bought. Those lists answer a different question from the one a reader actually has, which is: what other books will make me feel like this one?

books-like.com starts from one book — the one you loved — and names three more chosen for what reading them is like: the style, the sensibility, the kind of attention they ask of you. Setting, period, and plot are ignored unless they happen to matter. Every recommendation comes with its reason spelled out, so you can judge the match before you commit an evening to it.

It is foolish to think that you have to read all the books you buy, as it is foolish to criticize those who buy more books than they will ever be able to read. It would be like saying that you should use all the cutlery or glasses or screwdrivers or drill bits you bought before buying new ones.

There are things in life that we need to always have plenty of supplies, even if we will only use a small portion.

Umberto Eco