"Rule of 33" and the "Jane Chord"

There are so many books to read, and so little time to do it. (Not complaining, mind you, just an observation.) I had to develop a way to decide if I wanted to take a chance on a new author. Years ago, I settled on the Rule of 33.

Favorites and old friends (like Tepper, Stephenson, Dennett, Weber, Moon, Brin, Pinker, Moore, and on...) don't have to pass my rule. I know I will enjoy their stuff, and not get lost in some arcane stylistic maze. But how do I decide to buy a book when I've never encountered the writer before?

Others read the cover notes (so do I), or an except at the front of the book (if present - too many publishers now substitute other people's opinions). Some people rely on reviewers in print or online to guide their choices.

But the "Rule of 33" is a direct sample that works for me. I start at the top of page 33 and read no further than page 35. The story should be well underway by then, and I can get a real sense of the writer's style and ability to draw me into the story. Together with the cover notes, cover art (ghastly or ultra-mystic cover art sends the book right back to the shelf, without application of the rule), I can build my personal library with few missteps.

The Jane Chord is found by combining the first (non-article) word with the last. When you get a sentence, it is sometimes interesting by itself. For instance, John McPhee's article Cooling the Lava starts "Cooling the lava was Thorbjorn's idea..." and ends "...hubris enough to provoke a new eruption." So the Jane Chord is "Cooling eruption." I don't use the Jane Chord to make a buy decision, but find it of interest once I've finished a book.