Giving and Getting Amazing Book Recommendations

By Mary Kole

Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.

Books are amazing, which is why we’re all here. Aspiring writers, especially, understand the importance of reading widely and actively seeking out the best books in their genre (and outside of it!) to improve their craft. But where do you start if you're new to the book world? How do you give and solicit thoughtful and relevant book recommendations? How do you give compelling book recommendations and connect with like-minded book people? In this article, I’ll explore these questions and more.

Finding Great Book Recommendations

One of the best ways to discover new and great books is to read widely and actively. If you’re an aspiring writer, you must read like a writer to grow your skill set and creative imagination. But sometimes, you need some guidance in order to narrow down your choices. Here are some tips for finding great book recommendations:

  • Ask friends, family, and colleagues for book recommendations based on their interests and reading habits. Those who read more actively will likely yield better options.

  • Follow trusted book influencers on social media, such as book bloggers, Bookstagrammers, and Booktubers, and check out their reviews and book recommendations for ideas. (Though bear in mind that some of these recommendations will be directly or indirectly sponsored or promotional in nature.)

  • Join online book clubs and communities, such as Goodreads, Book Riot, or book- or genre-specific subreddits, and participate in discussions or polls about your favorite genres or authors.

  • Attend book events, such as book signings, author talks, or book festivals, and chat with fellow attendees about their favorite books. Start local or consider traveling to a national convention.

Giving Great Book Recommendations

Once you've discovered some great books to recommend, it's important to give thoughtful and relevant recommendations based on someone else’s interests and reading preferences. It’s better to find a niche you can speak confidently about and try to attract other readers in that same target audience. Here are some best practices for giving great book recommendations:

  • Ask the person what kind of books they're currently interested in or have enjoyed in the past. A lot of social media influencers have had success with the “If you liked X, you’ll like Y” format.

  • Tailor your recommendation to what’s timely by watching what’s getting traction in the marketplace or keeping an eye on new books. The Publisher’s Lunch Buzz book previews are a great way of doing this.

  • Suggest books that might not be an obvious match for the person’s tastes but which share similar themes, writing styles, plots, or characters.

  • Provide a brief summary of the book and why you think the person would enjoy it.

  • Avoid spoilers or revealing too much about the plot—part of the fun of reading is discovering the story!

Soliciting Great Book Recommendations

It's also important to actively seek out great book recommendations in order to broaden your reading horizons and discover new authors and genres. Here are some ways to solicit great book recommendations:

  • Ask your local librarian or bookstore employee for their book recommendations based on your interests.

  • Join book clubs or reading challenges and discuss books with other members.

  • Follow publishers or literary magazines on social media and check out their latest releases or book lists—this will give you access to the cutting edge of publishing.

  • Check out book reviews and recommendations from trusted sources, such as The New York Times Book Review, Kirkus Reviews, or various celebrity endorsement clubs, like Oprah's Book Club.

Becoming a Book Reviewer

If you're passionate about books and enjoy sharing your thoughts and opinions, you might want to consider becoming a book reviewer. This hobby is largely done out of passion at first, but there are opportunities to become an influencer with enough traction and earn some money. Here are some tips for becoming a book reviewer:

  • Start a social media account and share your reviews and recommendations with your audience. Videos work well for book reviews, so consider YouTube and Instagram.

  • Participate in book review programs, such as NetGalley, Edelweiss, or BookishFirst, and receive free advanced copies in exchange for honest reviews.

  • Network with other book reviewers and bloggers, share each other's content, and collaborate on projects.

  • Practice writing thorough and balanced reviews that include a brief summary, your thoughts and opinions, and a recommendation for the target audience. How you talk about a book and your passion for your subject matter both make a big difference.

Connecting With Like-minded Book People

Finally, one of the perks of being a book person is connecting with like-minded individuals and sharing your passion for books and book recommendations. Here are some ways to connect with other book people:

  • Participate in events and giveaways, signings, author talks, and book festivals.

  • Join in book-related discussions or polls on social media or book communities, and connect with people who share your interests.

  • Join writing communities or groups and make connections with other aspiring writers who also enjoy reading. What you learn by reading like a writer and reviewing books will directly and indirectly help you refine your writing craft.

Being a book person is not only a hobby, but also a way of life. By following these tips and best practices for giving and soliciting great book recommendations, becoming a book reviewer, and connecting with like-minded book people, you'll enrich your reading experience, broaden your literary horizons, and become a valued member of the book community.

Ready to expand your writing and publishing knowledge? Covering a wide range of topics for all stages of the writing process, my books will help you navigate the publishing world and refine your craft. The publishing landscape is constantly evolving, and I’m always looking for new and innovative resources to help writers succeed.