Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion
Bulletin Board
>
What makes you decide whether to buy a book or not?
date
newest »
newest »
I decide which books to purchase/read mainly by recommendations (word of mouth) from friends or folks whose reading style preferences are similar to mine. In cases where I find a book I'm interested in (advertising, etc), and none of my friends/trusted acquaintances has read/reviewed it yet, then I'll download the free sample from Amazon, and read that before making my decision. That's saved me tons of money, and ensured that I don't further waste my valuable time in reading something that I dislike or isn't up to my standards.I utilize the Amazon discussion threads, and several of Goodreads avenues (listopias, recommendations), but always look up each book's reviews (by my friends) to see what they have to say, before making my final decision.
Of course, book covers and blurbs play a factor in determining if I feel a book is worth even researching.
Personally, I used to look up on Amazon to see what genre I want, and have a quick squizz at the reviews (and take them with a pinch of salt). Mostly good then I'll use the 'look inside' feature to preview the writing style.These days, I just end up getting indie books pushed at me so I read a wider spectrum. It challenges me, but leaves little room for my own desires.
Sadly, I think many use the browse Amazon theory, which relies on your book climbing high up the rankings for people to even know it's there.
The advertising on GR/Amazon seem to yield little or no sales.
Word of mouth is also a popular method, but again you're relying on someone realising you're there in the first place.
Whichever way you turn it's tough to get that initial foot in the door.
Blogs seem popular, and has been recommended as a way to start to 'get your name out there', so I have set a blog up now. There is an 'Advice fo Nw Authors' section on it (sorry, at work so this is the only link I can grab right now):
http://tlclarkauthor.blogspot.co.uk/2...
2 years in, and I'm still trying to get noticed. :-/
I walk into a bookshop and peruse. It may be the cover that draws me in, then I'll look at the blurb, and if I'm still interested and unfamiliar with the author, I might read a bit to see if it's a good fit.Referrals from other readers who enjoy many of the same books as me, might also get me interested. Finally, it may be part of a book group read.
Otherwise, I put next to zero stock in the internet to make a decision on whether to buy a book or not. No formula is going to be perfect.
I discover books through multiple sources, but mainly through Goodreads. I see what my Friends are adding, then I look at the description. This is the most important factor. The description needs to hook me. If it sounds like it might interest me but I'm on the fence, I'll look at the reviews to see if there are spoilers in a review which reveal something that brings me to a decision point. If both the description and the reviews are vague, I'll lose interest in the book immediately. I'm looking for something that makes the book stand out.
I decide on whether or not to buy a book based on price, interest and content. If I like what the books about and it sounds good to me and the price is reasonable then chances are ill buy it.
While browsing in a book store, if a cover or title catches my eye and arouses my curiosity, I will read the first two pages. If the writing is decent and the narration compelling, I will buy the book.
Justin wrote: "I decide on whether or not to buy a book based on price, interest and content. If I like what the books about and it sounds good to me and the price is reasonable then chances are ill buy it."What Justin said. :)
I almost always need to read a sample chapter or two before buying from a new author that I haven't read before. If they don't have sample chapters, I may skip over the book. That happened today, actually. I saw a book on here that I may like, but there wasn't a sneak peek available on any of the book's store pages, so I didn't buy it. Bought a different book instead. Price doesn't really matter to me, if I think it is a quality read. I consider it an investment to my soul. ;)
Bookstore buyer still here. Title catches my attention then I read blurb then I crack open the first chapter and read the first 5 pages. If I get yelled at in the store (engrossed ) I usually buy it. If I'm unsure about purchase I check it out from the library. I don't buy ebooks.
Generally I buy if the blurb/story interests me, but if it's self-published, I read a couple of pages first.Reviews don't sway me as the connection between writer and reader varies so much and I would have missed some great, but poorly reviewed books over the years.
In order to pick up a book that I've never heard of or read the author before, then something has to grab me - be it subject, blurb, or cover - and then the rest of those things have to NOT dissuade me. Like, if the topic is interesting but the cover is absolute garbage, I'm unlikely to give it a try.
Jason wrote: "In order to pick up a book that I've never heard of or read the author before, then something has to grab me - be it subject, blurb, or cover - and then the rest of those things have to NOT dissuad..."Covers never dissuade me if the book seems interesting enough. I used to read a series of pulp fantasy novels and the in house designer was horrific. But the stories were usually decent
K.P. wrote: "Jason wrote: "In order to pick up a book that I've never heard of or read the author before, then something has to grab me - be it subject, blurb, or cover - and then the rest of those things have ..."I've seen covers that were edging on the side of bad that I read because something else grabbed me. But if the art/effort is actually horrific, horrendous, or offends me in some way, I won't pick it up.
There are several factors that make me choose to read a book:Authors I know and trust.
Author earned a B.R.A.G. Medallion. I've never read a bad book that earned this honor.
Author is a member of Sisters in Crime. I've never read a bad book by a SinC member.
Word of "mouth" on GR.
Word of real mouths from friends.
Reviews that say something, not just blather.
My book club chose it.
What would make me buy a book is not the reviews, or the word of mouth, whether its won awards or even about me trusting the author. I read a book if there is something unique about it in style, solid writing but, outside of the box thinking, several intricate plot twists that are unpredictable and make me think during and after reading the book. I have a very short attention span, so those qualities are important to hold my interest more than a nanosecond hence how short my attention span is. So far I haven't found a book that can do that unless it's the kind I write. Maybe that's why I write books that hold my attention span because none of them out there really do.
A lot of others covered many of the ways I have chosen books. Word of mouth from friends and family gives me a lot of reading material. If a work is by an author I already like, that holds a lot of weight. Occasionally, I find something by browsing through Amazon or Goodreads. When browsing, a book cover has to catch my attention and then I will read the blurb, glance through reviews, and read a couple pages.
Authors, and for SF, publisher (BAEN). Covers don't so much attract me as drive me away. Then the blurb. Since my tastes are both eclectic and particular, recommendations rarely work for me. Reviews sometimes help, again mostly by looking at the worst ones and seeing if there is anything I agree with.
Genre and quality. Does the book appear to be thoroughly researched and one to provide new insights? Does it appear to be well-written? Or does it have the ability to entertain?
I find some books through searching library catalogues. Sometimes, I find them by listening to book reviews on NPR. Other times, word of mouth or industry suggestions. Also, I'll read more books by a particular author when I find an author I like.
In the case of Web technology (JavaScript for example), when I read contents like this, I made my decision right away, as I got a good gut feel around how in-depth it is, and what knowledge I can get from it, and how much do I like the writing style.
"Loose Equals Versus Strict Equals
...
A very common misconception about these two operators is: "== checks values for equality and === checks both values and types for equality.” While that sounds nice and reasonable, it’s inaccurate. Countless well-respected JavaScript books and blogs have said exactly that, but unfortunately they’re all wrong.
The correct description is: "== allows coercion in the equality com‐ parison and === disallows coercion.”
..."
So I have been thinking is there a new and better way of getting recommendations and recommending/promoting books.
Look forward to hearing your opinions.