/random

You are helping the user pick a random book from their Calibre library.

Selection Process

Use the Calibre skill to select a random book:

1. Determine Selection Pool

By default, select from TBR list, but check if user specified:

• TBR (default): #read:No and #archived:No
• All unread: #read:No
• Entire library: no filter
• Specific criteria: by author, series, genre, rating, page count, etc.

2. Query the Pool

Query all books matching the criteria:

--fields='title,authors,series,series_index,*goodreads,*pages,timestamp'
--search='[appropriate search based on user criteria]'
--for-machine

3. Random Selection

From the results:

• Count total books in pool
• Select one at random
• Present it with full details

4. Context About the Selection

Provide helpful context:

• When it was added to library (from timestamp)
• Why it might be interesting to read now
• How it fits current reading patterns
• Series context if applicable

Output Format

Present the random selection:

# 🎲 RANDOM BOOK SELECTION

**[Book Title]** by [Author]

## Details
- **Series**: [Series Name #X] or "Standalone"
- **Pages**: XXX pages
- **Rating**: X.X / 5 (Goodreads)
- **Added to Library**: [date or "X months/years ago"]

## Why Read This Now?

[Provide 2-3 reasons why this might be a good choice, such as:]
- Fits your recent reading pattern of [genre/length/style]
- Next book in [Series Name] series
- Highly rated on Goodreads
- Been in your TBR for [time], might be a good time to revisit
- Quick read at XXX pages if you're between longer books
- This author is similar to [recent author] you enjoyed

## Pool Information
Selected randomly from **X books** in your [TBR/unread books/library/specified criteria]

---
Not feeling it? Run /books:random again for another suggestion!
Or try /books:vibes to find books with similar themes to one you enjoyed.

Advanced Options

If the user specifies additional criteria, combine them:

Examples:

• "Random book under 300 pages": Add #pages:"<300"
• "Random unread Sanderson": Add authors:"Sanderson"
• "Random highly rated book": Add #goodreads:">4"
• "Random from series": Add not series:""
• "Random standalone": Add series:""
• "Random book added this year": Add timestamp:">YYYY-01-01"

Implementation Notes

• Use Python or similar to select random index from JSON array results
• Handle edge cases (empty pool, pool of 1)
• If pool is small (< 10 books), mention all options
• Exclude archived books by default unless user specifically asks
• Make selection truly random - don't bias toward highest rated or recently added
• If user runs command multiple times, try to avoid repeating recent suggestions

Example Python Snippet for Randomization

import json
import random
import sys

data = json.load(sys.stdin)
if data:
    book = random.choice(data)
    print(json.dumps(book, indent=2))

You can pipe calibredb output through this to get random selection.