Poll

I've often picked books by their cover ~ #sowhat

S.M. wrote: "I've often picked books by their cover ~ #sowhat"

You're not the only one :P

S.M. wrote: "I've often picked books by their cover ~ #sowhat"

Sadly this truly isn't a great way to pick what might be a good book since almost all the times the cover is decided by the publicist not the author, if it were then the attention to detail with the cover would have been a great indicator if the book has any hope of being one you'll like.

This notion doesn't stop me from doing the exact same thing though. But for now I only read the classics since I'm a slow reader, I'll move to more modern work after I'm done with that.

Oscar wrote: "S.M. wrote: "I've often picked books by their cover ~ #sowhat"

Sadly this truly isn't a great way to pick what might be a good book since almost all the times the cover is decided by the publicist..."

I agree with you that it isn't always the best way to pick a book, but sometimes you quickly want to choose a new book to read or you, as I have sometimes, you just want to be surprised and dive into a book without knowing a thing :)

Depends what you mean by "older". Are we talking classics like Jane Austen or are we talking older than a year?

I would like to choose 'depends on my excitement for a title/author' and 'I read a mix of recent and older books' but I guess I'm not voting since I can't choose both...

When the book was written makes no real difference. I read anything and everything that happens to catch my interest at that moment I'm picking my next read. Sometimes a novel seems interesting exactly because it's freshly published, sometimes because it is dozens if not hundreds of years old. In general, though, it's the premise, a friend's recommendation, book cover (not just the ones that please me but at times the ones I find really horrid as well), etc. The age of the publication isn't very high on the list of things determining what I read.
Unless, of course, I am looking for a historical point of view to a culture, society, or some such. But that's another matter, as then I would actually be looking for something specific, which I rarely do.

i read books if i liked the title doesn't matter if it's old or new

There is a famous top 100 novel list i m trying to read it's a mixture of both classic and recent books

S.M. wrote: "I've often picked books by their cover ~ #sowhat"

I'm the same way. First the cover draws my attention then the synopsis. If it's an author I enjoy then I will read the book no matter what the cover looks like.

Yeah. Haven't we all? lol

Simone wrote: "S.M. wrote: "I've often picked books by their cover ~ #sowhat"

You're not the only one :P"

Haha, awesome! I've landed on some great books I'd never have found otherwise--Mrs Queen takes the train, Mr. Solomon dreams in English, The Persian pickle club,... No wonder book illustrators and cover designers are paid so much!

Riann wrote: "S.M. wrote: "I've often picked books by their cover ~ #sowhat"

I'm the same way. First the cover draws my attention then the synopsis. If it's an author I enjoy then I will read the book no matter what the cover looks like."

Same! It's the synopsis that makes the cuts for me to want to read or not. If it's an author I really like, I just get excited for their new books.

Love discovering new books and genres. But there are some old favs--"comfort books" that I reread, and buy lots of older used books at yard sales & used book sites. Have been guilty of choosing because of an appealing cover, but the synopsis is the hook for me. Have some authors that I will follow regardless of good or bad reviews. Have to decide for myself.

I love discovering you authors and new genres too. I have my old favorites too that I try to reread once a year. I find it especially satisfying when I find a book for which I have been searching a long time.

This poll is poorly designed, because "new release" and "classic" doesn't cover the whole spectrum. I don't read a lot of newer books, but what I read aren't necessarily classics, either. "A mix of recent and older books", while true, may as well be "none of the above", because it's so tautological: either a book is recent, or older. That pretty much covers everything. "No, I only read books that haven't been written yet." idk.

I always like to find new ideas in new books!

New books always bring me to new experience :)

I wish you could choose more than one answer. There aren't many authors I jump on, otherwise I read a mix of old & new.

Depends on what's at the used bookstore.

I'm most interested in a particular genre and certain subgenres. I zero in on title, then read a little about it and go by reviews. I try to skip 'bestsellers'; I feel they are mostly overhyped.

I most often reads books generically based off of my interests. I'll read things about Astronomy and space, sci-fi, nature (The World Without Us) and novels meant to be pieces of video game series' of which I play.

If it grabs my interest I will read anything! So many books, so little time!!

Oh my god! You should be ashamed! Just kidding. I look for books with incredible covers, read the blurb, read more than ten reviews and then decide to read it. But the cover draws me in. Every single time.

New books tend to cost some money haha especially when they're out in hardcover c': I'd rather read a book that I find by myself than read one that has a lot of hype though, so I guess that just says something about myself.

Kayla wrote: "New books tend to cost some money haha especially when they're out in hardcover c': I'd rather read a book that I find by myself than read one that has a lot of hype though, so I guess that just sa..."

I find that you usually find even better books that way. And don't even get me started on accidentally finding a gem. Haha

C.J. wrote: "Kayla wrote: "New books tend to cost some money haha especially when they're out in hardcover c': I'd rather read a book that I find by myself than read one that has a lot of hype though, so I gues..."

What is this 'gem' you speak of?

I like to read series authors, and like to read them in order,so I don't read a lot of new releases.

Nolan wrote: "C.J. wrote: "Kayla wrote: "New books tend to cost some money haha especially when they're out in hardcover c': I'd rather read a book that I find by myself than read one that has a lot of hype thou..."

Accidentally stumbling across a great book. Searching for Midnight Thief and finding The Child Thief by Brom instead. Or, searching for the City and finding Echo City by Tim Lebbon. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi.
Accidental gems. The best kind.

Suy wrote: "I prefer two points first is my favorite authors and second is attractive titles! Occasionally, depending on my mood that I might choose a new author to try a new taste!"

I'm constantly bouncing between books. How else would I find my favourite authors?

I actually find I read more older books than newer ones. I like to read my favorite authors and then I go with compelling descriptions and reviews.

S.M. wrote: "I've often picked books by their cover ~ #sowhat"

We're not supposed to judge them by their covers, but... Haven't we all! :D

The last book I finished was The Lives Of Tao (Wesley Chu) and that was one I just picked off the library shelf - without knowing a single thing about it - because I liked the look of it and the title. Turns out the title doesn't have anything to do with what I was expecting, but Chu is the best new author I've read in years. :)

most of the book i read are crime fiction or police procedural

Mostly I read books that have good reviews that I can borrow from the library or that someone gives me after their book club read.

I'll read new books in a series I've already started. But because I read so much, when I pick something new to read I tend to pick books from series that are established with at least three books already released.

I'm usually behind the trend, so I can pick up great deals at my local second-hand book shop. For example I only discovered Lee Child this year. It's nice, though, when you don't have to wait a year in-between books to read the next one. I bought a stack of them and can pick my own pace, knowing that I've got plenty more patiently waiting on the shelf.

I am cautious about selecting a book on the basis of the cover. A lot of really good books are complex and multi-layered and the cover may not adequately represent the contents. That said, a cover can reveal much about a book, especially a vapid superficial read. I avoid those.

to me a good book must have a good plot. like you i like to get immersed in a book so i avoid things like mils and boon my genre is crime fiction for instance the edge by Jeffrey Deaver

I like this :)

James wrote: "I am cautious about selecting a book on the basis of the cover. A lot of really good books are complex and multi-layered and the cover may not adequately represent the contents. That said, a cover ..."

Yes, I know what you mean. If there's an attractive teen plastered on the front, run.

S.M. wrote: "I've often picked books by their cover ~ #sowhat"

so true lol

each to his own issuppose

most of the time new

here is a taster of a book I'm writing
Chapter 1
Hereford Base 10.30 a.m
Brian had been back from Colombia for about six months. His routine was beginning to return to normal. After a morning run to keep in shape fit he sat down at his desk and started to attack his in tray.
“Ah well back to being a paper-pusher” he thought. The morning briefings and after-action report would come later in the afternoon. He had been given a secretary who he was sure had a high clearance rating one good thing about there was that she was adept at stopping reporters and people who wanted to ask questions from getting to see him
Can I park your car sir said the Sargent?”
“Yes thank you” the voice was quiet and assured. Getting out of his car the man started to walk towards brains office he was stopped several times but let go after am moment. The visitor was Professor Michael Gene, a professor of oriental studies in John Mores University Liverpool. He had a second job however which was as a consultant for MI6

S.M. wrote: "I've often picked books by their cover ~ #sowhat"

'Like' button.

the cover also tells a story

Mark wrote: "here is a taster of a book I'm writing
Chapter 1
Hereford Base 10.30 a.m
Brian had been back from Colombia for about six months. His routine was beginning to return to normal. After a morning run ..."

Oh, dear...
You need... something. I am and know many writers.
It looks like you... need to read and practice a lot. And you need a dedicated editor who has a high tolerance for pain. And you may need to take a course or a couple classes on writing. Writing takes natural talent unless you're writing non fiction or something.

i already have an editor thank you. but I'll keep you comment for future refference

i already have an editor thank you. but I'll keep you comment for future refference

Nah . I'll read anything.