People, real people, the kind you can actually reach out and touch, give great recommendations for things they've experienced.
Un-real people, think people on television, the radio, or newspapers, tend to give recommendations either based on superior (to them) knowledge or a paycheck.
Not so long ago, I read a great book series by
Kevin Hearne - the Iron Druid Chronicles.

A very real person, we'll just call her Tinkerbell, recommended the books ... the author recommended (or so it seemed) a
great pub for fish and chips .. the
Rula Bula in Tempe, AZ. It was even better than the books indicated ... I don't get misty eyed often about food, but it truly is good enough to bring a tear to the eye. Tis no blarney.

See? It even has an old world look from the outside!