Goodreads

When recommending titles, I believe that Goodreads looks at all the books you've read and dumps them into categories.  I read that if you don't rate the book or don't give it a high enough rating, then Goodreads won't recommend books for that category.  Then I think it goes by key words in the title and descriptions.
I liked that in both the cover or list view you could see what books you had read that had been the basis of their recommendations.

Recommendations Based on Conversations

Conversation #1:

My recommendation: Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman
Strong female character foreign travel and funny

Conversation #2:

Recommendation: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Conversation #3:

My remommendation: Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund

Appeal Factor Challenge

Reader's Advisory aka "Oh God Please Don't Make Me Suggest Books!!!!

Given that introduction, it's pretty apparant that I am uncomfortable doing reader's advisory. I actually had someone ask yesterday. "Hi. I'd like a book that's funny and smart and interesting. Oh, and I really loved reading Eli Weisel's Night." ...... WHAT?!!!!! Are you freakin' kidding me?!!! My mind went "duh"..."um"...okay, follow me....."duh". 

On to the assignment:

Tales of a Female Nomad: Living at Large in the World by: Rita Golden Gelman

A slow paced book that strolls around the world with the writer. A fantastic travel log full of rich descriptive language. Set in places all over the globe, the writer is witty and light, for the most part.

The Fault in our Stars by John Green

Young adult book populated by strong characters that are smart and witty, yet physically frail and often scared. Extremely well written and thought provoking. Moderately paced. An emotional book that will take you on a rollercoaster ride from laughing hysterically to crying.

Recommending Books to others:
Posted on Becky L.