In today’s digital age, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing how we discover books. While browsing through the rows of books at the library or the bookstore will never go away; I’ll be the first to admit that some of my choices in book purchase have been because they were recommended to me, and not always by people.

Artificial Intelligence has a way of sneaking up on us. How else would you describe the target ads you get of books on social media? And yes, I know how targeted ads work, but a lot of those ads nowadays are AI driven.

But let’s embrace the fact that there is something out there that will help us choose our next book, or books. I don’t think AI-driven recommendation engines are such a bad thing. It can give you a new perspective and can really be tailored to your interests.

How does AI-driven recommendation engines, like Goodreads, Storygraph, and Kindle work?

They learn from similar readers. This means that it looks at your reading history and compares it to other users with similar tastes. If readers who enjoyed the same books as you also liked a particular novel you haven’t read yet, the system will recommend it to you. This is called Collaborative Filtering.

Another form is that instead of looking at other users, it analyzes book attributes – such as genre, themes, writing style, and even mood – to suggest similar books. The AI scans metadata, synopses, and even reader reviews to make personalized recommendations. Content-based Filtering.

Some tools use Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Sentiment Analysis to recommend books. They use descriptions, user reviews, and even author interviews to understand the tone, themes, and emotions of a book. Sentiment analysis helps determine if a book has a dark, uplifting or melancholic feel, making recommendations even more accurate.

Advanced AI models (like OpenAI’s GPT) can take it even further by learning about your specific behavior. If you consistently finish romance novels in just a few days but take weeks to finish mystery novels, AI may prioritize romance recommendations.

Most recommendation engines, like Goodreads, use a combination of collaborative filtering, content-based filtering and deep learning to refine their suggestions. Goodreads considers books you’ve rated highly (content-based filtering) while also analyzing what similar readers have enjoyed (collaborative filtering).

So that was a lot of information on how AI-driven recommendation engines work. But how can you use it to make it work for you? If you stuck around this long, I will not make you wait any longer.

1. AI-Powered Book Recommendation Engines

Platforms like Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Amazon Kindle use AI to suggest books tailored to your reading preferences. These systems rely on the above-mentioned methods.

For example, Goodreads recommends books based on what you’ve rated highly, while also considering what similar readers love.

Using these platforms more, can make your next read easier to find.

2. Chatbots and Virtual Assistants for Book Discovery

Chatbots, like ChatGPT and BookGPT, can provide real-time book recommendations based on specific preferences such as genre, mood, or even tropes. Instead of scrolling through endless lists, you can ask:

“I loved The Seven Sisters. Can you recommend a book with a similar writing style?”

It will give you a couple of recommendations based on that prompt.

3. Personalized AI Reading Lists

Some AI tools go beyond simple recommendations by curating personalized book lists. Websites like StoryGraph analyze your reading history, moods, and favorite themes to suggest books that match your tastes.

4. AI-Powered Book summaries and Review

AI tools like Blinkist and SummarizeBot can provide summaries, key takeaways, and sentiment analysis from reviews, helping you make informed choices before committing to a book.

AI is revolutionizing how book lovers find their next favorite read, offering smarter, faster, and more personalized recommendations. Whether you’re searching for a bestseller or a hidden gem, AI tools can guide you to books that match your taste perfectly.

What AI-Powered book discovery tools have you tried? Did you love it, or was it not your thing? Let’s discuss it in the comments!