Poll

You need to allow multiple answers to some of these polls. I could have clicked at least two, maybe three, of these answers.

Also you need to allow an "Other" answer, because there are other possibilities. And that might elicit more comments.

I can't actully vote on this poll because ALL OF THE ABOVE.

Its title

For me it is various. Cover + Description are the first thing to look at, after that I check reviews and genres (since I don't want to read certain genres).

It's really a whole routine. First, the cover catches your eyes. Then, if it looks intriguing, the title either makes it or breaks it. If it's alluring still you turn to the description, which is what ultimately makes you decide.

Book previews on other sites are a major contributing factor for me, too.

Description, weighted by reviews if it's a new to me author.

Actually, I look for how much I might identify with the characters in a book first. I like characters I feel like I could get to know. The main character being interesting is a must.

A tantalizing review and a friend's review are my top 2 choices.

I too can't vote because you should also have
ALL OF THE ABOVE. Or let us pick a couple of
answers.

A tantalizing description is what convinces me. And, sometimes, a strong rating.

Out of these options, "a tantalizing description". It gives me at least some idea what the book is about and what to possibly expect in terms of what sort of stimulation reading the book might offer (intellectual, amusement, etc).

A good cover can help in terms of drawing attention to the book, but it won't cause me to judge the contents based on it.

If a friend who knows me well or has enjoyed similar books, I might take their recommendation into consideration, but will usually plunge straight into reading it only if they happen to own the book and offer to borrow it.

Reviews and ratings I don't care about, as tastes vary immensely. I have at times found myself in the "unpopular opinion" group regarding a book, or found myself surprised by how much I disagree with the comments justifying the reviewers low or high rating. People see different things in different books. I cannot hope to find anyone with the absolute exact same taste frame and sense of humour as myself, among other things.

Editorial buzz is like light rain - I will notice it is there, but won't bother to pay much further attention to it.

In my case it would really be none of the above. Books added to my "To-be-read" shelf are only books I physically/electronically own. I have a "to-find" shelf for books that just sound/look awesome or ones that others have recommended to me.

Betsy wrote: "You need to allow multiple answers to some of these polls. I could have clicked at least two, maybe three, of these answers.

Also you need to allow an "Other" answer, because there are other po..."

Exactly.

The description is definitely the most important factor for me, then covers and reviews come second.

I also wish there was an option to choose more than one or "Other". The first thing that I look for is a catchy title. The cover can also catch my eye, but the make or break for me is the description. I also look after to see if my friends have read it and what they have rated it/written a review.

None of the above. I want to know if it is well researched. If the author knows their subject matter (of any genre) I am more inclined to read it.

Suggestion: Allow poll takers to choose multiple answers.

Word of mouth and a cool cover get my attention.

Betsy wrote: "You need to allow multiple answers to some of these polls. I could have clicked at least two, maybe three, of these answers.

Also you need to allow an "Other" answer, because there are other po..."

Yes I strongly Agree with you as there are multiple feasible answers in the given options. For this particular question, we look for both Description, Review Ratings as well as Friends Recommendations.

Drekinn wrote: "Word of mouth and a cool cover get my attention."

Of course. However, in this Digital Marketing era and Web World, that chance(i.e., word of mouth) got deteriorated.

Betsy wrote: "You need to allow multiple answers to some of these polls. I could have clicked at least two, maybe three, of these answers.

Also you need to allow an "Other" answer, because there are other po..."

Seconded! :)

Tbh, for me it's mostly a mix of 'interesting description' and 'negative reviews don't talk about things I absolutely don't want in a book'. Some of the people on my friends list have an extremely different taste so I sometimes don't quite 'trust' them. xD

Sometimes reviews on here -- but allowing for different tastes. Also positive reviews on the local library website. I've been burned by a super-duper cover and by a "tantalizing description" or blurb.

How about EVERYTHING??? the first thing that catches my attention is the cover, then I read the description, then I see the tags, THEN I read my friends reviews (if there are any) and/or some of the popular reviews for it.

Sometimes, just reading the description suffices :) other times, it's the reviews that "sell" it to me.

All of the above really except Editorial buzz. I first look at the description and then if the rating is high, then I go through it, but a lot of the time I go through not just friends, but the community reviews, positive and negative reviews to get an idea on how the book is gonna be.

I'm more sparing in the use of that bookshelf and have two levels. I only add books to that bookshelf when I actually have it in my possession to read.

I have a separate wishlist for books that I want to add to my Want to Read bookshelf because I don't yet have them, but to get them.

Voices in my head...

ALL OF THE ABOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All of the above could get my attention, but I only use the "to-read" shelf for books that pass the preview test. If the first couple pages don't show strong writing and interesting characters and situations, I'm unlikely to read it.

Also, I don't care about ratings - it's the content of the reviews that matters.

A good/well written sample - not featured as a choice.

I want to know if it is well researched. But the book rating depend only upon the content in it.

Book blurb would top the list. But beware of super blurbs followed by disappointing main text.

hmm all of the above should have been an option or allow more than one answer. i add books to my TBR list cuz of all of the above.

I'm not sure why but I don't see the polls when they first open; hence I miss the chance to vote on them. Please let me know what should I change in my settings to be involved in voting on polls.
Input would be appreciated.

My poll could have been more than what I chose

The description.

First I base it on strong reviews, secondly on the description and finally an excerpt or a Google Books sample.

I'm sick of looking at these polls every day so I started answering them to make them go away... well I'm stuck now since this one is unanswerable for me. I only put books on my to-read shelf that I already own. End of story. No editorial buzz or dashing cover or whatever. Why is there no way to hide these polls, or a way to say not applicable?

These answers aren't applicable for me. I stopped adding books to a "want to read" list because I see people with hundreds of books on that list and wonder how many they will even remember, or ever get to, because sometimes that list is longer than the list of books that have actually been read. I'm not saying that's wrong for others, I used to do the same thing, but decided I prefer to just add books as I'm actually reading them, so that my total book count is what I want it to be (such as books I've read or actually own and plan to read next or very soon).

A tantalizing description overrides most other factors. I take ratings and reviews with a grain of salt because I know that not everyone has the same tastes.

Along with a great description, I do like an awesome cover, so there's definitely more than one factor. :) Although even with a great cover, when the synopsis makes me sick or causes me to roll my eyes more than five times before I finish reading the short description, I don't add it to my shelf. :)

The cover first, then the blurb. Then I read a little of the Open Cover in amazon.

First the cover, then the tantalizing description and then I read some of the customer reviews. And if someone I know very well like it ... great.

If it hasn't got romance and it's a YA, I almost always Want to Read. It's so hard to find YA books without love triangles/OTPs. Gets a little boring.

Amanda wrote: "I voted for 'tantalizing description' but I also like to read reviews from others who have a similar taste in books as me before I really decide if I want to add it to my list or not."

I agree. But to clarify, is it the dust jacket description that you go by or a description within the review? Which would you give more credence to?

I wish "Other" was a choice!!!

Angel wrote: "I wish "Other" was a choice!!!"

Same Too Angel

Cool Poll

Usually, I start the first book in a series then add the rest of the books to my 'want to read' in case I don't continue one right after the other.