Poll

I try to find detailed reviews from editorial sources, such as library magazines. I don't give complete weight to user reviews or to those from Publisher's Weekly [which likes everything]

Someone has to be the first to find & review a wonderful book. Except I'd rather the answer said 'Yes, I like to give the book a chance'.

All the time! I've enjoyed movies critics have panned, so why not chance the unknown/unreviewed book? Especially in light of the fact that many *must read* novels have fallen flat for me. Not having my opinion coloured by the impressions of others usually makes my enjoyment of the book greater - dive in; no expectations; good times.

Definitely

sure why not!

Cover and description then draw me to the reviews. I base my final decision on reviews (taking into account both positive and negative -and taking both with a pinch of salt.)

I like to read a sample - the first chapter or two - of any book that sounds interesting. I've found on more than a few occasions that the premise may sound good, but the book itself may be clunky and awkward, badly in need of proofreading and editing, or the writing style just does nothing for me.

Guilty! LOL
I do love beautiful covers, I think it is my weakness. And sometimes the book isn't as great as the cover. But I still do it all the time.

I only do this at the library -- my time isn't too valuable, but my money is!

Wow, this is how people choose books pre-internet, 90% of the time.

I admit that the first thing that draws me to a book is the cover if I don't already know anything about it. And then it's the description that causes me to read it. Though there have been times I've read a book purely because the cover was so nice...

I do it a lot, more so at the library than buying a book though.

? Does anyone read books based on things other than the cover and description?

Sure, that's pretty much how I've read 90% of books on my list.

A lot can be determent based on the cover art. I, for one, try not to pick up any that have a shirtless guy on it, accompanied by a dark red/blue/purple background and possibly a good looking young lady who seems mystical/magical/goth in some way. Any signs of wolves, bears, foxes and ravens accompanying the lady are also things I keep away from. Those books are awfully often a part of the YA supernatural romance genre and I don't like that at all. Then again, I mess up so now and then too. I absolutely loved 50 Shades of Grey's cover art and title but it ended up being... well YA(-ish) romance. At least it wasn't supernatural, but still, ugh. I pick books on title alone too though. Wool (Omnibus Edition) by Hugh Howey (?) was a fantastic read and has wonderful cover art and a catchy title. I never even read the blurb of that one and I was never disappointed.

Yes, especially the description on the back.

Cover and description are how I pick almost every book I read.

Having the cover and a description is often all the information I have regarding choosing a book.

Absolutely! It's how I find new things.

I remember for a while in the late 80s "Modern Classics" books all had the same style cover and after reading several Jay McInerney books under that imprint I just started buying based on that style and for a while it was a good bet that I would like it just by the cover without even reading the summary.

Absolutely. Half - more than half - of the books I own were purchased this way. I browse. A cover catches my eye. I read the back cover copy and I am in; hook, line, and sinker.

Yes, absolutely. I do like reading books which were recommended and I know for sure that at least some people I trust love them, but a lot of books I've bought and read (most of them, actually!) were just me going to my favorite bookstore, running my fingers along the books in the modern fiction section, picking one at random, reading the description and then, if I liked it, I would buy it and read it and [usually] love it.

That is usually all I have to judge it on since most of my friends don't read and so I don't usually get any recommendations. But I don't usually buy a book based just on a cover/description. My money is too valuable to waste on a book I might not like. If I buy a book I've usually already read it and would love to reread it, or I have researched it a lot and it really sounds like a good book.

yes,all the time

I voted "Maybe," but I usually seek out reader's reviews and judge from that combination.

Besides recommendations from friends, this is pretty much the only way I ever pick books - am I missing something?

That's usually how I end up choosing new books to buy (the cover art grabs my attention so I pick the book up and read the description).

nope... covers can be misleading, and descriptions may pique my interest, but I need to look inside, read passages, maybe check reviews so I know what I am getting.
I am selective, it avoids a lot of disappointment.

Of course I decide only on cover and description! What else can you do at library or book store!

Maybe, if the books grabs my attention I will start reading it and see if it keeps my attention. As a library hold hunter, I frequently see books that look good so I grab them and read the synopsis and I end up taking a handful of them home with me at the end of the day. You just never know who you might discover.

If I didn't hunt for my books this way, I wouldn't have been able to read a whole lot (school being the exception) before coming across Goodreads. Few of my friends read as much as I do, and of those few, there aren't many IRL who are drawn to the particular genres I find the most interesting. It's still by far my preferred way to seek out books, for even here I find that there are far too many reviewers who post spoilers without being polite enough to hide them.

Yes, and sometimes I've lucked out with an amazing book, for example 'Winter's Tale' by Helprin...and sometimes it hasn't worked out so well.

Definitely. And the opposite is also the case: a bad cover could make me less inclined to read a book.

Done it many times. Discovered one of my favorite authors that way - Neal Stephenson - based on the cover of The Diamond Age.

Thanks to BookBud and similar web sites, I grab a number of free or low-cost ebooks for my Kindle and often take a chance on them based on the cover and a brief description.

I also will get a book based on the recommendation of an author I like, such as Pulitzer-prize-winning war correspondent Mark Fritz.

I was just handed a box of new paperbacks. All missing the front cover.
This will be interesting! Reading books without the cover is
Strange. I don't have any preconceived notion about the book.
No insight, just an empty slate.
But I will read them just the same.
How about you???

How else do you find new and exciting books!?

Synopsis and reviews are a must-reads in choosing a book to read. It's like Mitch Albom's "Tuesdays with Morrie". The cover is simple and honestly not appealing and attractive but the whole book is fascinating and valuable. As the saying goes, do not judge the book by its cover. Let us all apply it. :)

I always choose books based on their cover and descriptions. Sometimes, you may get something great out of it.

I have before, and I will do it again. But if the book really slogs down and I just can't get through it I will put it aside and try again or just not get it from the library again.

I always decide by the cover and description. Reviews and ratings are great, and the majority does stand for something, but at the end of the day it's all about people's own personal opinions.

always do that lol!

This is pretty much how I discover most slightly more obscure books, lol.

At a book fair I picked up 'Starters' and bought it straight off because of the cover art. It is an amazing book. (By Lissa Price) http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/... (This is the cover art, although my book was subtitled "You can't get them out of your head.")

Yes. Most of the time. I take chances on a debut book because I like discovering great new voices!

It depends weather it appeals to me. When it is a book from an author I know , and is part in a series. Then the style, how it is written. I have to feel drawn into the book , in the first chapter. Covers are never representing the content of the book in my opinion.

It depends weather it appeals to me. When it is a book from an author I know , and is part in a series. Then the style, how it is written. I have to feel drawn into the book , in the first chapter. Covers are never representing the content of the book in my opinion.

It depends weather it appeals to me. When it is a book from an author I know , and is part in a series. Then the style, how it is written. I have to feel drawn into the book , in the first chapter. Covers are never representing the content of the book in my opinion.

It depends weather it appeals to me. When it is a book from an author I know , and is part in a series. Then the style, how it is written. I have to feel drawn into the book , in the first chapter. Covers are never representing the content of the book in my opinion.

It depends weather it appeals to me. When it is a book from an author I know , and is part in a series. Then the style, how it is written. I have to feel drawn into the book , in the first chapter. Covers are never representing the content of the book in my opinion.

When I am going to the library, or bookstore , I am paging through the book to see weather the style appeals to me. Otherwise the description has some to do with it. When it is a new publication from an author I like or the book is part of a series, then I am watching out for the authors name.