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How Do You Pick a Book?
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Paula
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Jun 16, 2015 11:37AM
We've all been there: the book we were reading comes to an end, and we find ourselves cut adrift. Despite a TBR list longer than our arms, we crave something new... So, my question is, how do you find a new book? What are your criteria when deciding which book to read?
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I mostly read mysteries and some YA Books. My Criteria is the Author's name and I love reading cozy mysteries. For YA Books my criteria is a book that has to do with dragons or Pegasus.
Happy Reading....Linda K
Mod
I also have the goodreads app, and while I am at the book stores, I use the scan feature so I can keep track of the random books I come across.
i usually go by the storyline & friends recommendations
since joining goodreads (& getting the app) if I see a book that looks interesting and sounds interesting I will jump on here and check out a few reviews to see if is a must read now or read it later type of book.I also check out if any of my favorite authors have released anything new and if someone has recommended a book that has a similar taste to mine then I will give it a go.
2nd hand book stores or opportunity stores ('thrift stores') are always good places to check out something completely different - and if the spine has been bent/cracked more than a few times it's a good way to tell that it may be worth picking it up!
:)
I am a mood reader. I choose books depending on my moods, whatever feels right. This year I have been doing to Pop Sugar challenge so I have been limiting some of my reading to try and finish it. I have many books I want to read, sometimes it is so hard to choose. When I visit the library I usually have an idea of what I want to get. I use my goodreads app to read reviews of any books that I think I might like.
I usually read pretty much anything that sounds interesting although I love romance. If the cover looks good that helps. Also if someone recommends it I will try reading it.
Sometimes....I judge a book by the cover. But mostly, through recommendations.
Through GR and Amazon. I used to spend a lot of time in physical bookstores, checking books, but now I realize many great books are actually "hidden."
I have a physical TBR pile that I try to keep over 1m when I stack all of those books on top of each other. As long as it's over 1m I *try* to refrain from buying new stuff, but once it dips below 1m all bets are off. When browsing bookstores I usually go back to my ever growing digital TBR shelf on Goodreads to find stuff I saved for later. That list is fed by recommendations, reviews, book blogs and websites like Book riot.
I like idly browsing too, and just like Rachel, I find the scan option of the goodreads app very useful in this case to keep track of my finds.
I also have a book jar for the books I own but haven't read yet. It's sort of a last resort when I really don't know what to pick up next from the pile. I keep little colorful notes of the titles I haven't read yet and when the time comes to pick up something new and I'm unable to choose from my shelves I grab it, give it a good shake and pick a note. I kind of like the idea of leaving it up to fate!
So far I only made one for the books that I own, but it could work for books that I want to read as well. Might make choosing titles when I do splurge on books easier :-)
But so far I haven't had the courage to write over 400 new notes for another jar! XD
I'm always asking friends and family what they are reading - if they're enjoying it I either make a note of it on my phone or, if I can be bothered, add it to me TBR shelf on goodreads there and then. Book blogs, amazon and other websites such as the book depository are also some of my frequent scouting places. I also really like watching PeruseProject on youtube - she reads so many different books and is fantastic for book lovers. I regularly watch her videos and make a note of the books she is/has been reading.
Like most here, I find books through blogs, Amazon and Goodreads recommendations, as well as frequent visits to Waterstones (bookshop). I suppose I then choose depending on my mood. Sometimes however, I get a little bogged down, or have binge reading in one genre, forgetting about others (that I actually really wanted to read). Let's not even mention that my TBR (physical and digital) rivals Mount Everest. So, yesterday, I thought I would give myself some friendly directives to dent it, make sure I read widely every month, and perhaps make the act of choosing a tiny bit easier? Here is what I came up with for the moment. Does anyone have something similar?
* YA novel / children's book
* Science fiction / fantasy novel
* Comics
* Classics (19th/20th)
* Crime thriller / British Library Crime Classics
* Penguin Little Black / Penguin Mini Modern Classics
* Persephone book
* Book in translation or in another language
* Short story
* TBR
No criteria, really. Lately, all my finds have been super random. For physical books, I'll admit to being drawn to awesome covers. When it comes to my Kindle, though, I've had some hits and misses with browsing the sale books. When I do come across a good one, I usually check out the 'also recommended' books if I'm in the mood to keep reading in the same genre.
Well, I'm in six F2F book groups ... though they do not ALL meet every month, nor do I attend every meeting. Still I typically go to 3 or 4 book club meetings each month and those are the first books I get read each month. Then I just pick whatever else will fit this or that challenge (Book title starts with an "I" or cover shows an umbrella or main page shelf is ROMANCE, etc)
I have a list that gets added to through the months. I'm trying to read more review books at the moment though. Usually it's two review books, a kindle, a paperback and a library book and a few reads with friends.
Veronique wrote: "Like most here, I find books through blogs, Amazon and Goodreads recommendations, as well as frequent visits to Waterstones (bookshop). I suppose I then choose depending on my mood. Sometimes how..."
I do a bit similar :)
Well..let me start by saying.....I pick books out at the bookshops by meandering and picking up random books... ( I often go with the intention of finding specific books, only to leave with a multitude of brand new books by brand new authors)!!!As for picking what I read next....most often I am a mood reader....but it also depends on what challenges/games I am involved in.
I love historucal, historical romance, romance, humour, brit lit, young adult, mystery and thrillers....with the occaaiinal dystopian thrown in
And if any of you is daring (and I mean...seriously..lol) take a peek at my tbr list! Just leave a trail so you can find your way back out!! lol
At first I'll be attracted to the cover. Then the title and author and then I'll read the blurb and the subject.
My TBR gets filled with books I see discussions about, or read articles about the authors. I wish day had more hours. :-))I'm a visual person, I hate to admit, but the cover does matter to me....:-))
interesting to read all your input :-)I'm rarely out of books to read.
thanks to bookstagram (instagram for booklovers), I always have one or two buddy reads going on with fellow avid readers.
also - I am member of two ezboard forums focusing on books, on one I moderate our group readings. and, I have newly discovered goodreads group readings.
* * *
aside of that, I like to follow my instinct.
there are times when I can make room for a heavy story, but in-between I do need a quick-paced, sharp book.
My Dad reads the quotes on the books and usually makes his choice by those. I tend to read the blurb on the back and if I think it sounds good, I'll usually buy it and read it. Most times I have familiar authors I know which, then, it's a no-brainer really.
If it sounds good, I read it! It's really that simple for me, nothing scientific about my choice process.
It all depends... it could be the title makes me curious, or the cover; it might be the genre or if it gets great reviews from other readers. I don't read reviews, but will look at what they rated it.
It depends for me. Sometimes when talking with friends or coworkers I will receive some good recommendations to check out. I also have a long TBR list that I accumulated from Pinterest. There are a lot of pins with book lists to go along with different moods or genres. Or, I'll pick with what I feel like would be good next, or sounds good from the summary on the book.
Besides the genre, I suppose it's a lot up to the name recognition of the author and if I know they're good. If I don't know them at all than it's up to the cover, because the blurb only helps if I actually do pick up the book, and it's the cover that gets me to do that
First I look at the cover/title. Then I read the description. If I'm still interested I'll read the first page. After that I can usually tell if I will enjoy it or not.
I read book reviews for recommendations.
I try to mix it up with review books, library books, and books I really want to read, plus book buddies help that too.
Lauren wrote: "First I look at the cover/title. Then I read the description. If I'm still interested I'll read the first page. After that I can usually tell if I will enjoy it or not."Pretty much what i do....minus reading the first page. Then...it also depends on my mood. I usually have a few books going at once...so I don't get bored.
Veronique wrote: "Like most here, I find books through blogs, Amazon and Goodreads recommendations, as well as frequent visits to Waterstones (bookshop). I suppose I then choose depending on my mood. Sometimes how..."
I haven't seen your tbr list...but I have a feeling yours is no where near mine in size! I try ro mix it up...whilst I do read multiple books at a time...they are all different genres so as to keep me from being bored...it's not that I get bored, though...I am just so tired that sometimes it is how I keep myself awake.
I'm not sure if I have already posted a reply to this post, but I will post it again in case I haven't..For some time now, I have picked books for the '1001 books to read before you die' list. Which means that I have some reading cut out for me. Besides that, I usually go for the cover option. Great cover= great book- or so I think. Often though, that might not actually be the case.
Alisya wrote: "I'm a mood reader all the way, but usually the books that I pick up are based on the reviews of book tubers or bookstagrammers(none of my friends IRL read) lol."Yep, that's me all the way!
I am one to judge a book by its cover. If the cover isn't appealing I normally don't read it unless it has good reviews or an awesome summary.
I tend to look at what stands out when in the store. However, when I read stuff online the summery has a gripping summery, friends rave about it, or I look through goodreads, I delve deper into whats between the covers to decide if I wanna persue it.
