How Our Recommendation Engine Works

At Plot Twist, we want to do something a little different with book recommendations. Not only do we recommend books that are similar to other books, but we also help you find books that are a little different -- from books that are in the same genre with different themes, to books that might be in completely different genres but match themes you liked in the past, to books that are completely different from what you've read before but we think might coordinate with your interests.

To do this, we take our queues from color theory wherein we distinguish books based on how you've rated and tagged them as "monochromatic" -- very similar -- "complementary" -- very different -- and everything in between.

The "Color Theory" Approach to Book Recommendations

Think of your reading preferences as a spectrum of colors. Traditional recommendation systems suggest books that are similar to what you've already read, focusing mostly on similarities between your reading habits and those of other users. While this method works for finding books in the same category, it doesn't always help you explore new genres or ideas.

The color theory approach in our recommendation engine introduces a more diverse way of thinking about recommendations. Just as colors can be related to each other through different types of relationships—like complementary, analogous, or triadic—we apply this idea to books, suggesting titles that might not be exactly like what you've read before but still fit your broader tastes.

Monochromatic Recommendations – Similar to What You've Already Enjoyed

These recommendations focus on books that are similar in genre, tone, pacing, and writing style to the books you've previously enjoyed. If you've read several romantic suspense novels or billionaire romances, these suggestions will align with the same elements, allowing you to continue enjoying familiar themes. We base these recommendations on the scores you give the more detailed book ratings as well as the tags you (and others) give to the books.

Complementary Recommendations – Offering Something Different

Complementary colors are opposite each other on the color wheel, and in the same way, complementary recommendations suggest books that offer something different, but still interesting. If you like dark romance with complex characters, a complementary recommendation might suggest a light-hearted memoir. These recommendations can be weird! But maybe they can also help you branch out from your usual fare.

Analogous Recommendations – Expanding Within Familiar Boundaries

Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel, and analogous recommendations suggest books that are similar, but introduce new genres or themes you might enjoy. For instance, if you read a lot of action thrillers, you might be recommended a suspenseful mystery with a similar level of intensity but a different plot structure or setting.

Triadic Recommendations – A Diverse Mix

Triadic colors form a balanced relationship, and triadic recommendations blend different genres or themes you might like. For example, you might receive a recommendation for a book that mixes science fiction, romance, and mystery, offering a varied experience while still incorporating elements you enjoy.

Split-Complementary Recommendations – A Balanced Twist

Split-complementary recommendations combine a genre or theme you like with a slight variation. For example, if you prefer character-driven fiction, you might receive a recommendation for a character-driven science fiction book, offering something new but still in line with your established interests.

How To Get Started

By using tags for book attributes and survey responses for deeper insights into your reading preferences, our engine builds a personalized map of your tastes. The result is a recommendation system that adapts to you, suggesting books that might challenge your reading habits or expand your interests.

The system doesn't work without you tagging and rating books. The more books you tag and rate, the better and more fine-tuned the color theory algorithms become.

If you have books and reviews at Goodreads you can follow the directions to import your library to give you a jump start.

Otherwise, start searching for your favorite books and add tags and ratings!