It’s the end of the year, hence we’re already being inundated with gift requests, Christmas tunes, and the annual top books of the year lists. There’s no denying that listicles have become a ubiquitous form of online content. They offer fast, digestible information that’s easy to scroll through, making them ideal for our fast-paced, information-saturated lives. However, the sheer volume, many of which lack substance and serve as clickbait, has led to what some call “listicle fatigue.”

Read: Book reviews: erosion of trust due to AI, bombing and misrepresentation

As writer Matt Lillywhite aptly puts it, many listicles fill the world wide web without providing any actual worth. He says: “Like many people, I value my time. I don’t want to read (or write) articles that clog the internet with virtual garbage.”

How we pick our book lists (please bear with us)…

I am guilty of it of course, we have many book recommendations on this website. But I make it a mission to only approve books I’ve actually read, otherwise I’m no different to an algorithm.

At the beginning of the year, I traipse around looking for potential bestsellers to come out. It’s probably why you’ll see such variation in the genres I read. And honestly, it really is hit and miss. Some are recommended via BookTok, such as “Yellowface” by R. F. Kuang, while others are suggested because the authors have a great track record. Either way, we can be inundated with choices, so it’s good to take some time to cross-reference the best books (which is obviously highly subjective).

So why are are obsessed with book lists?

We, of course, realise why book lists have been hugely popular. Whether it’s during the commute to work, a short break, or while sitting on the sofa at home, listicles are quickly scrollable and don’t require vast amounts of attention or concentration. They get straight to the point and are easy to read. In an age of information overload, our brains can only handle simplicity these days; hence, they provide a form of mental reprieve, requiring less energy to process. As someone called it “the French fries of online content—despite offering no nutritional value and possibly not even tasting great, you can’t stop consuming them.”

But people are becoming aware of the fact that lists can be a double-edged sword. For one, some have clear agendas where they are advertising their friends’ works. While others point out that knowledge can’t be summarised in a tasty bullet point; it is hard-won, which is why marketing guru Seth Godin has no need to produce prosaic content in bite-sized pieces.

With that in mind, how do you pick the lists that speak to you?

Well, of course, we’re going to say ‘pick us’ (I’m clearly joking); after all, it’s very subjective. But it’s worth finding individuals who share your interests, especially when it comes to genre, while also trying to read a variety of content for more diverse consumption.

Some comprehensive lists are provided by the likes of Bookish, the site run by NetGalley, which offers early proofs for readers. These readers then give their honest opinions about the works. I particularly like Literature Map, which charts out similar authors in a rudimentary mind map. If you want to go down a rabbit hole, Reddit has an entire thread dedicated to book recommendations called “Suggest me a book“; however, it can get a little unruly with the number of suggestions!

Five Books is brilliant as they get actual experts in the field to write their own preferences. And we cannot forget LitHub, which is the gold standard of all literature reviews. If you have some patience for video content (unlike myself), then specific Booktube channels are worth following; otherwise, The Storygraph, a direct Goodreads competitor, has a more trustworthy algorithm.

And if you’re an audiophile, check out ‘What Should I Read Next,’ which covers a variety of content and isn’t limited to specific genres. You can also find my recommended book podcast listens here.

The value of trust

In the realm of book listicles, trust is a precious commodity. Readers often gravitate toward these lists seeking valuable book recommendations, but the proliferation of listicles with hidden agendas and marketing ploys has eroded that trust. Kilby Blades, an award-winning romance author, sheds light on the issue, telling How To Be Books, “Listicles can rarely be trusted because there’s a very healthy industry built around telling influencers what to read.” Major publishers with substantial marketing budgets tend to dominate these lists, leaving indie and small press authors in the shadows.

Joshua Lisec, an internationally acclaimed ghostwriter and persuasive writing coach, echoes this sentiment, emphasising the profit-driven nature of listicle selections. The “So Good They Call You A Fake” author asserts, “Books that are chosen are those that are likeliest to sell, i.e., make money for the person posting about it.” This commercial motivation can often overshadow the quality and uniqueness of lesser-known gems.

Reader perspectives

To better understand the readers’ perspective, we turned to Mastodon users who shared their thoughts on trusting book listicles. It became clear that trust depends heavily on the source. Listicles from reputable publications like The New York Times may carry more weight, while those from less credible sources may be viewed with scepticism.

Some readers find transparency in the selection process crucial. Listicles that provide insights into the criteria for book inclusion and the target audience tend to be more trustworthy. Others rely on trusted reviewers or platforms that align with their preferences.

While the simplicity and accessibility of lists are undeniable advantages, the prevalence of marketing-driven selections and hidden agendas has led many readers to approach listicles with caution.

More from our Friday opinion pieces: BookTok: please don’t let TikTok publishing lower the bar

Ultimately, the trustworthiness of book listicles may vary from source to source. It’s essential for readers to exercise discernment, seek out transparency in the selection process, and rely on trusted reviewers or platforms. Making informed choices about what to read is more important than ever, hence as we approach the year-end, whether you trust book listicles or not, the quest for great reads in 2023 continues to be an exciting journey. (And yes, we will be putting out our end of year and 2024 book lists!)