AXLER.Upenn-1100%Rand-Relay@sri-unix.UUCP (01/19/84)
From: AXLER.Upenn-1100@Rand-Relay (David M. Axler - MSCF Applications Mgr.)
The problem of recommending books to people (or vice versa) is not a
simple one, especially when it's being done over the network. It's hard to
determine why someone likes a specific book, and without that info you can't
extrapolate as to whether or not s/he would like another book that has certain
(but not all) features in common with the first book.
There is a solution, of sorts, though. Don't make direct recommendations
at all -- make indirect ones instead. The best source for indirect referrals
in sf is Baird Searles & Martin Last, "A Reader's Guide to Science Fiction".
S&L run NYC's Science Fiction Shop, and S. writes reviews for one of the major
magazines, so you've got a pair of knowledgeable authors here. What they do in
the book is to provide brief, non-spoiler summaries of books, authors, and
styles. If the book you just read is part of a series, the "Guide" will help
you find the titles of the other members. And, it often contains opinions of
the "well, if you liked X, then you ought to try Y and Z, because..." variety.
Fantasy readers should note that there's a matching volume for them, titled
(what else) "A Reader's Guide to Fantasy" by Searles, Last, and a few friends
whose names won't come to mind.
The other book that is incredibly useful in exploring sf and fantasy,
especially when you want detailed author biographies or info on specific
topics and themes within sf, is Peter Nichols' "Science Fiction Encyclopedia".
It's a bit out of date, but that doesn't make the info in it any less useful
as far as it goes. The book has some excellent articles on specific themes
(alternate histories, women in sf, etc.), plus good info on authors and books.
(Locus Publications, by the way, is selling copies of the hardback edition
dirt-cheap -- check their ads in Locus for more details).
Dave Axler