Clive ThompsonNov 9, 2022

I built this tool a year ago but I feel like Mastodon folks would like it

The "Weird Old Book Finder"

Type in a search query, and it'll find one randomly-chosen public-domain book that matches the query -- and present it for immediate reading: https://www.weirdoldbookfinder.net/

Why only one book? To prevent the paradox of choice! Just *start readin'*

Can't promise every book will be weird, but most are

A longer essay on how/why I developed it: https://debugger.medium.com/a-search-engine-that-finds-you-weird-old-books-3a74fbb5f3d4

This was a search for "mastodon"

Show threadClive ThompsonNov 9, 2022
If anyone finds something cool, screenshot it and share it (with alt-text describing what it is!)
Show threadnellie-mJun 30, 2023
@clive this is utterly delightful. Thank you so much! My first query came up with this book, which I don’t find weird at all, but that is due to the fact that I’m a weird poultry person. I could relate the fascinating story of the Dorking breed in the former GDR, or how, when I came to Dorking, the local museum that exhibits a pair of stuffed birds was closed for the day… but I’m on a 500 characters limit 😉 #chickensofmastodon
Show threadMichael Slavitch 🍁🇨🇦🇺🇦🍁Jun 30, 2023
@nellie_m @clive Fifth edition?
Show threadClive Thompson

@nellie_m @komputernik

High demand!

Jun 30, 2023 at 10:39pmWeb