Start with the kind of attention you have
Do you want a long story to settle into or short pieces you can read between other things? Think about format and mood before reaching for a list of must-reads. The right book for a holiday may not be the right book for a busy evening.
Try the voice
Read the opening pages and one passage from a little further in. Notice whether you want to keep going. A recommendation tells you what someone else loved; a sample helps you hear how the book actually feels.
Keep your own notes
After finishing, write one sentence about what stayed with you. Over time those notes make a better guide to your taste than a star rating alone. You can enjoy a book without wanting every other book to be like it.