Have you tried the Page 69 Test?

Charlotte Stretch, whose column in The Guardian gave me this idea, tried it with Five books she'd already read to see how it worked out. I have done the same with mixed results.

A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Madame Charpentier is relating the details of a case, complete with a mysterious death, to Sherlock Holmes, who comments sarcastically "It's quite exciting...What happened next?"
Yes, that gives you a pretty good feel for the book.

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett
Moist Von Lipwig is conversing with the Golem, Mr Pump. Not the most exciting portion of the novel, nor the funniest, but it does leave you wondering how Von Lipwig came to be Postmaster and why he apparently has a golem.

Orlando by Virginia Woolf.
Page 69 has a lot of very poetic description and rambling about the nature of love, which doesn't tell you much at all about what the book is about but gives you a very good idea what kind of writing stlye to expect.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling
Spoiler warning!
Harry, Lupin and the Weasleys learn of the death of Mad Eye Moody.
So I suppose that gives you an idea that there's going to be death and sorrow in this volume.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
One of the characters is explaining how she lost all her limbs to an antibiotic resistant bacterial infection, and that what seem to be her real arms are actually amazingly good prosthetics, complete with her original freckles. This gives you an idea of the medical and bioethics themes in the book but doesn't tell you anything about the plot or the protagonist. I think it would be enough to tell me that I would like the book.

by Jennifer Muirhead

I have never heard of this test, but will give it a go next time I'm picking a book.

by Vee

How wonderful!

I have never heard of it.....I'm off to go try it right now, see if it works.

Thanks heeps :)

by jonaja

This is the first time I've heard of it. I can't say I particularly see what is so special about page 69.

by Bryony Harrison

I think it's just an arbitrary number.

You might as well just pick any page and read it.

And '69' has other connotations.........maybe THAT is why it was chosen!

I'd be too worried I would accidentally read something that would ruin the storyline.

by Gwen

Will definitely give it a go. Would not have helped with James Lergessner's Cloudland. I wanted to read it to help with my volunteer job as a Brisbane Greeter. It was of little help and was very poorly edited. I almost gave up after the introduciotn, but soldiered on in the vain hope it would be of some use. Perhaps this does not help with non-fiction.

by grann

How would that work? You don't know any of the characters - and it may spoil the plot. I might try it after I've read a book - stay tuned...

by Lydia C. Lee

I tried this test after it was suggested by another member. I'd say it worked out in 2 of 3 cases. I will soon share the final outcome after I complete reading the books.

by Manny

I haven't tried this yet, but I will from now on.

by cassa

I must try this! (Although, like you, I think I'll experiment first with books I know.)

by parso

69? Hmmm......could have 'other' connotations???

I'm VERY picky when it comes to books. I read Reviews, & if seems interesting to me, will get from Library. Then read info on back cover; if still interested, will get it. If not, hand back to a Librarian.

by donjo