How much do you know about a book before reading?

[Satinder]

Hi guys, I'm interested to know your views and experiences on this. I think the Internet has spoilt me. There was a time when all I would know about a book before reading it, was the blurb at the back and whether anyone had recommended it. Usually the only way I knew what an author looked like was if their photo was included in the cover jacket.

But now...oh boy. I recently ear-marked a book I wanted to read because I thought the story sounded right up my street. Since I was on Goodreads, I clicked on the author's page and ended up reading her blog posts. So basically, I knew all about her road to publication, some details about her personal life and even her advice to upcoming writers-before I ever read a word of her book!

I know its my own fault for looking this stuff up. And I'm not sure how exactly it affects my reading experience. But I think it does.

What about you? What information do you find out, if any, before reading?

[Tracy]

I don't normally read the blurbs because they don't get to the meat of the book. For me it has nothing to do with what the book is really about. I get most of my books from recommendations on GR and from friends. I don't typically read about the author unless I read a few of their books or I just feel like knowing. I like going blind into a book so that I am not swayed one way or another.

[Yzabel]

Usually I don't read about the author: it's the book I care about first and foremost. But I tend to check reviews, both 4-5 stars and 1-2 ones, to see what people have to say in general, and whether a specific book's "shortcomings" would be a problem for me or not.

What I mean is that, for instance, a book might get an average-only review simply because it deals with a theme the reviewer isn't at ease with--in which case it doesn't mean the story's bad, and maybe *I* would like it. Same with the characters and other aspects. Conversely, if I see a ton of reviews about the exact same "wrong" aspects, I'll probably shelve the book as "to be read only if I find it at a discount price somewhere".

[Olivia "So many books--so little time.""]

It depends on the book. I've read some because I've seen reviews for them and they sound good. Others I've read because the blurb on the back sounded interesting. Still others I've read because I've already read quite a few books by the author so I'm sure that since it's an author I'm familiar with who's written good books I won't be disappointed.

[Leonie]

Tracy wrote: "I don't normally read the blurbs because they don't get to the meat of the book. For me it has nothing to do with what the book is really about. I get most of my books from recommendations on GR an..."

I think you've just made a million authors cry... ;) (Not to mention their publishers!)

Writing the blurb means blood sweat and tears for most authors. The constant dilemma - how long should it be? How much should I put into it? Is it enough of a teaser? Have I given too many things away?

Surely someone reads the blurb? Must be that friend who recommends it...or "the first" reader...

Personally, I do read the blurb -and I look at the cover. it's the cover that draws me in so that I read the blurb and an intriguing title often does the same thing.

I'm more likely to read reviews if it's self published, (discriminatory I know), but I've been burnt a fair few times by poorly edited books. I'll also still read reviews on some of my favourite authors - mainly if I've been working my way through a series and I have some doubts as to the ongoing quality of the story line.

I also like to read reviews after I've read a book, just to see if my views are part of the mainstream or not. If I'm reviewing a book, I won't read any reviews until afterwards.

[Satinder]

Leonie, I read reviews after I have finished a book too, just to see what other people thought of the things that annoyed me/impressed me about the book.

Generally, I think my curiosity just gets the better of me since there is so much info out there to look at; blogs, reviews, author interviews etc.

When it comes to my favourite authors, however, I look at nothing beforehand and just buy the book out of blind loyalty!

[Andy]

Satinder said: Generally, I think my curiosity just gets the better of me since there is so much info out there to look at; blogs, reviews, author interviews etc.

When it comes to my favourite authors, however, I look at nothing beforehand and just buy the book out of blind loyalty!

That is so like me though I mostly come about reading a specific book when someone recommends it for me..

[Harmony]

For me the cover, the blurb, and the price compared to the length of the book, are all deciding factors. I also check out reviews if it's an author I haven't read before ... indie or traditionally published. Sometimes I check out the author bio, but not that often. It's the book that sells itself to me usually. I sometimes go on recommendations, but I really love the joy of discovering something/somebody new all by myself.

[Satinder]

You guys sound like you have a much more 'pure' reading experience by only going by blurb or recommendation. I ruin it for myself! My fault for being Internet- addicted. As a writer I cant help but find out about the author as well but that needs to stop now- at least until I finish the book anyway.

[Satinder]

Also, yes price is important as who has money to burn? Because of that I try and get a good idea about the book before buying. Thank goodness for libraries where you can make mistakes for free

[Harmony]

That's one great thing about the advent of ebooks too - you can usually download a free sample. This way you have a good idea whether or not you're likely to enjoy the book and its style. :)

[Elizabeth]

Marie wrote: "Usually if a friend recommends it, or I like the cover, I'll read it knowing nothing more than that. It has made for some regrettable reading decisions, but more of the time I enjoy them."

I find myself doing this a lot too, especially what friends recommend. I am a sucker for a good cover too.

I read a lot of series, so I will read a lot of the same author and then start on someone new.

I started entering to win books on the giveaways part of Goodreads and have found some pleasant surprises on there. I had never even heard of the Johannes Cabal books and ended up loving them because I won book three in a giveaway :)

[♥♡¢σσкιє♥♡ (Krystle)]

It varies for me. If the blurb grabs me, then I'll read it without even reading a review first. Most of the time I only read my GR friend's reviews and decide based on the information I get from them. I almost never look at the author's page until after I read the book unless we're friends first or they ask me to review their book.

I'm all over the place!! LOL

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

The rules change depending on what I'm reading.

If it's a series I'm in love with, I won't even read the back covers. The publishers I guess assume you've read the other books so they can spoil quite a bit in the description later on. So if you're really into the first two books of the series, and then buy the other five, don't read the synopsis for the others. I have had the worst things happen not following that rule.

I read reviews before books if I trust the reviewer - mainly I read a bulk of reviews after reading and form my own thoughts too, because I like to see other perspectives and things I may have missed.