What is Wrong with NY Times Book Reviews?

I was never a regular reader of the New York Times book reviews and so did not often select books based on their reviews.

I also don’t look at their list of best sellers as a place to find what I want to read next.

I’m actually not sure how I find books to read, but it is a mix of what I see online, hear from friends, or just come across in my curiosities.

But over the last few months I’ve purchased three books highly recommended by the Times and in all three cases I have been very disappointed. Not a little, but very.

One in particular—Writers & Lovers—was exceptionally poor. It was filled with cliches and platitudes and the plot revolved around the well-worn and listless trope of the female protagonist’s romantic entanglements. And even the two male characters the protagonist must choose between are themselves cliches from Sex in the City. One is Big and the other is the youthful, more hip Dude.

Anyway, the way that I feel about this is that I’m completely disconnected from the Times book reviews. They are writing to a reader that most certainly is not me nor people I know.

And so they are lending their institutional brand to some works of truly dubious nature. Not everything should be the highest form of literary art, but be honest. If a book is more of a chick lit title, then say so. Don’t write it up as anything else. Be honest and accurate.

To those who read this, I would love to see your thoughts and where or how you find books to read.