I’ve been thinking a lot about how AI is being used to make our lives easier, and it got me wondering: would you trust an AI to recommend your next favorite book? 📖
Imagine an AI learning your reading preferences and habits, then suggesting books it thinks you'll love. Would you give it a shot, or do you prefer sticking to human recommendations?
by Green-War-7830
12 Comments
I think in terms of output we’re already moving towards something similar with the current set of algorithms, albeit with different technology behind it. It’s something we’re going to see, I have no doubt. My concern is that it will only recommend things similar to what I’ve already read, and that can be quite stifling. I want to read new and unexpected things!
I’ve tried asking AI’s for suggestions but too often they invent books that don’t exist, mix and match titles and authors, or just give irrelevant suggestions.
They also have no idea what it means for an author to have a gender, race, religion, nationality, etc. Like, if I asked for a female author from Nigeria, AI is likely to suggest Stephen King.
If AI could do better than of course I’d be willing to take suggestions.
AI has been recommending your next video on YouTube for quite some time now…. So… Can’t see why not? :’)
It’s only kind of mediocre on netflix and there aren’t nearly as many variables…
Gotta say “book I randomly picked up at the library” and “romance book site I’ve followed pretty much as long as blogs have been a thing” are my top sources for the surprise and delight book outcomes…
Here is what it gave me:From your recent interests and discussions, here’s what I can gather to recommend books:
1. Educational and Reflective Themes (like your work with students, reflection on life after high school, and developing their plans):
The Defining Decade by Meg Jay – This book focuses on why your twenties matter and how to make the most of them, which might be useful for guiding students.
Educated by Tara Westover – A memoir that reflects on personal growth and education, perfect for exploring how learning and self-reflection shape our lives.
2. Personal Growth, Dance, and Well-being (reflecting your interest in ecstatic dance for health and wellness):
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk – Explores how movement and body awareness, like ecstatic dance, play a role in healing and overall wellness.
The Art of Movement by Ken Browar and Deborah Ory – A visual journey through dance and how it inspires creativity, focusing on wellness and the art of movement.
3. Professional and Educational Development (with your focus on teaching, STULL bill work, and parent engagement):
Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov – Provides practical teaching strategies that can enhance classroom management and engagement.
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink – Discusses motivation, which could be insightful for both personal development and encouraging students.
4. Gothic or Hopeful Themes (reflecting the ‘hopeful gothic’ style you’ve shown interest in):
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – A beautifully written gothic fantasy that blends magic, mystery, and a sense of new beginnings, aligning with your aesthetic preferences.
Do any of these resonate with you? I can refine further based on what you’re currently seeking!
There is a Chat GPT plugin thing (or whatever they are called) that does this. I mentioned some of the famous Latin Americans and it suggested Isabel Allende, whom I was aware of hadn’t yet read. It was a good book. I think the recommendation was fine, but it wasn’t exactly groundbreaking.
No. I’m perfectly capable of doing this myself and there’s a certain amount of satisfaction in doing so.
I’m currently reading a book recommended by AI. It took some massaging of the prompt, but it’s a really good recommendation.
I asked for “historical fiction focusing on political intrigue in the middle ages” (with some elaboration), and got *Here Be Dragons*, by Sharon Kay Penman.
The books have to be fairly well-known, to begin with, but it’s getting there. As with any other recommendation tool, you have to know what you want.
Sure, but it’s all about results. A few days ago I gave it the title of a fairly known book and asked for the author and it kept giving me the wrong answer over and over again as I tried to correct it. It needs to get a lot better at it first.
…is this not exactly what Amazon does?
Nop, I enjoy humans giving me book recommendations because I’m human and enjoyment of a media is a human experience that machines can’t emulate, therefore can’t share to a human
Call me what you want but art is a thing only living beings can make and appreciate and I will die on that hill
I would trust AI for sure. Personally, I use MyBookQuest for that, and it works great for me!