What books out there (including 1L books) provide a good basis for judging whether studying law is something you want to do? I feel like reading cases would be the most interesting...

What do you guys suggest?

Pretty much every lawyer I've ever met has told me that the study of law is nothing like the practice of law. Unless you are solely interested in academia (which would be pretty ballsy given how competitive and unpredictable that market is), you'd be better off asking for a basis for judging whether practicing law is something you want to do. Lots of people who hate the study will love the practice & vice versa.

Shadow a lawyer

Reading books won't tell you anything really. Law school is indoctrination, not really teaching you to be a lawyer.

Bible. If you don't burst into flames you don't want to be a lawyer.

work/intern at a law firm. really the closest thing to "trying out" law (minus the responsibility and compensation)

I agree with you all that gaining intimate experience with the real world work of a lawyer is necessary, but I would still like know whether I would enjoy 3 years of expensive and intensive study of the subject that is apparently so vastly different than the practice.

I might perhaps enjoy a career as an attorney, but if I don't find the subject matter interesting, I might want to consider other career options that i might also enjoy.