Cross-posted to !sciencefiction@lemmy.world

It is not possible to read all the Sci-Fi books out there. So you must have a process for selecting what you do read. Reading a book is an investment in your time. Your time is valuable. No one wants to waste that time reading unworthy books.

I have never codified my criteria. And it has changed and evolved over time. I suspect it will continue to change moving forward, as who I am tomorrow is not who I was yesterday.

What is your criteria to date?

Mine is that it must meet ALL the following criteria, some objective and some subjective.

  • it must have at least 1,000 reviews
  • it must have at least 70% 5-star reviews
  • if after reading about it I get the suspicion that it’s a romance disguised as Sci-Fi, I automatically reject it no matter what
  • if it’s YA, it really needs to be exceedingly compelling to choose it
  • Space Opera also needs to be exceedingly compelling
  • if I get the feeling it’s trying to preach I’ll reject it
  • if i get the feeling it has (messaging, strong opinions, or political overtones) about today’s societal issues, I probably won’t choose it. Not judging; I primarily read for escapism.

I guess that’s about it. There’s probably more but I just haven’t put that much thought into it yet.

I’m very interested in how y’all decide to choose a book to spend your valuable time reading.

  • dresdenMEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Web novels? Or actual physical ones?

      • dresdenMEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Nice! Where do you read them? I used to read them on Wuxiaworld until recently, but currently taking a break from all web novels.

        Also, any recommendations?

        • PeWu@lemmy.ml
          2·
          1 year ago

          My main sources are NovelFull and NovelUpdates. Now I’m reading Overgeared - amazing character development, and it’s long, so I have much material to read for quite a long time

          • dresdenMEnglish
            1·
            1 year ago

            Overgeard is very good. I have read about 1500 chapters, taking a break nowadays though. I think it has 1800 something total chapters, so should just go ahead and finish it one of these days.

            Wuxiaworld used to be pretty great, they hire their own translators, and all of the novels are properly licensed. Overgeared is on Wuxiaworld too. Though, the owner sold it to some web novel company a few months back, and they have started tightening up the things, like no more read whatever you want for free. Now you just get 1 or 2 chapters per novel / day. Though you can pay to read more.