Just Read (pronounced REED) from James W. Ziskin

Do you try to read the books that are nominated for major awards? Do you second-guess the nominations or do you usually find you agree? 

SUBBING FOR CATRIONA THIS WEEK.

I don’t usually read the books nominated for major awards. Oh, I might notice a book because of a nomination, but for me to pick it up and read it, the subject would have to appeal to me. The nomination qua nomination wouldn’t convince me to read, but other factors might. Maybe the cover is appealing, or the title, the blurbs, or the synopsis. I never know what might grab me, but it wouldn’t be because it’s on a list of finalists.

Now I’m not suggesting that I dismiss the major awards. Far from it. I know how hard it is to get a book noticed, and award noms are great rewards when they come. So I’m happy for the lucky nominees. But taste is taste. Not everyone shares the same likes and dislikes, so we all must take the nominations with a grain of salt, which does not diminish them in my eyes. I love so many books that have never been shortlisted for awards, and I can respect books that don’t appeal to me personally but have garnered accolades and nominations.

We’ve all heard people complain about the awards. Some say this one is a popularity contest, and others disagree with that one’s shortlist. But let’s be realistic: if the finalists are chosen by attendees at a conference, how can we complain? It’s a fair vote by hundreds of readers, after all. And when a jury of five or six chooses six finalists for the Edgars or the ITW awards, why should expect the list to match our own preferences? It’s unreasonable. The results are determined by a small group’s personal reactions to the books they’ve read. It may not be a perfect system, but what’s the alternative? Voting by the masses? That takes us back to the so-called popularity contests.

So my feelings are that we should celebrate the nominees, no matter how they’ve been chosen (provided the procedure is transparent and fair). Take the advice of the committees/voters and read the finalists or don’t. It’s okay. Just read.