How do you choose your next book to read?

[Cynthia]

I usually peruse the aisles of the bookstores and if something really catches my eye I'll get it. Or do a trade with another author at a convention.
But how do you choose your next book to read?
Do you stay with your tried and true favorites or do you give an author unknown to you a chance?
Is it online ads, reviews, recommendations? What grabs your attention?
I'm just curious.

[Elisabet]

personally, I have phases of curiosity for specific topics. I will seek literature about the topic. Often they are written by authors I've never heard of before. When that's the case, I go by reviews mostly.

[J.D.]

It depends. Sometimes I'll go with a known authors new works. Other times I'll look for for something that catches my interest, especially if it has good reviews.

[Effie]

I have favorite authors that come out with book regularly. Sometimes I'll see a cover and it catches my eye and I'll read the back cover and if I like it I'll buy it. Other times I go with a friend's recommendation. I actually don't look at reviews that often, which is funny since all I've been doing is checking my own.

[Victoria]

It varies.

Sometimes I'll grab a new book by an author I know and love. Sometimes I'll see a book mentioned somewhere, be asked to review one, or be told about one by a friend, and decide it looks like a book worth reading. Sometimes I'll randomly pick a topic and search for the keywords that relate to it, and then pick up something that I like the sound of from whatever results I find.

I will gladly try new authors, be they self-published, or traditionally published. Although, I will admit to placing new releases from authors I love ahead of books by new authors when deciding which book to buy/read next. Well, unless the new author's book is one I got in exchange for a review, in which case that gets priority.

[Cynthia]

Jonathan wrote: "I just try to avoid getting into a rut. If I've read a couple of horror-oriented things back to back, then I'll gravitate toward a hardboiled detective novel or a nonfiction piece."

Jonathan, I do that too. Usually I like to go back and forth between a fiction and a non-fiction title.

[Dwayne]

Sometimes I go with my favorite Indie authors, but I do try to seek out ones that are not getting much attention. If I see an Indie book that looks interesting but has few or no reviews, I'll probably buy it.

And then there's Vonnegut. There's always Vonnegut.

[Jim]

While perusing a book store or the local public library, if a title or author's name attracts my attention, I will check out the blurb and then read the first page or two. If my curiosity is sufficiently aroused, I will purchase or borrow the book.

[Ryan]

It never hurts going to a friend (whose suggestions you trust!). That's certainly the number one way I pick up new books. Then there are reviews I might see. I'm typically less concerned about the reviewer though, then whether or not the description of the book from the reviewer interests me. That helps me more with new fiction. Browsing suggested books on Goodreads or Amazon based on my previous purchases also helps.

Finally, I have to second Dwayne on "There's always Vonnegut." Well said.

[Dwayne]

Ryan wrote: "Finally, I have to second Dwayne on "There's always Vonnegut." Well said. "

I have a little Vonnegut doll, even. He's that tiny thing I'm holding in my picture.

[Anca]

I discover new authors by discovering new topics. I don‘t care about reviews. The title is what piques my curiosity. And the table of contents is the deal-maker when deciding to buy a book. I read to learn and I‘ll only buy books whose info can‘t be googled. So the more niche a book, the higher the probability I‘ll buy and read it. I often find new books on Goodreads. If I‘m interested in a topic, I‘ll browse Amazon and save the weirdest titles in my wishlist. I find many new authors in libraries too and I‘ll sometimes order their other books online. I stopped buying books in bookstores a long time ago - it‘s just so much easier to search and browse things online.

[A.C.]

Cynthia wrote: "I usually peruse the aisles of the bookstores and if something really catches my eye I'll get it. Or do a trade with another author at a convention.
But how do you choose your next book to read?
Do..."

Good thread topic Cynthia - interesting to read from an authors' point of view too; as well as a reader.

[Justin]

Whatever book has been sitting on my shelf the longest! lol. Or if I'm still on a genre kick from the previous book I read that usually decides it for me as well.

[Theresa]

I try to read books in order of when I get them, but sometimes it varies on what I am doing or what mood I am in. (Or if I have borrowed the book from someone.)I have also been known to skip over or stop reading books if it is not holding my interest.

[Lenita]

I like to vary genres. If I've read a lot of fantasy, I'll try switching to another genre.

[Noorilhuda]

My brain needs food and I usually know when it's time to feed the monster. I read non-fiction mostly, though have been concentrating on reading classical (Pakistani and European) fiction.

A trip to the bookstore is like a twice-a-month pilgrimage. Doesn't mean much. The reading schedule is more important.

I also take part in ethical non-reciprocal reviews of self-pubbed authors on GR's Review Group, so that's an added responsibility.

[Jennifer]

I usually have a list floating around in my head! But I do try to vary genres. I'll think, "Okay, it's been a while since I read some straight-up horror so let's read that next, but then I gotta read the 4th book in Such-And-Such a series because the 5th one is coming out later this year."

I love reading books by fellow authors I know, too, so a new release might get bumped up to the top of the list if I want to let them know what I think.

But then... there are those books which just jump out and grab me at the book store, and then everything else is put on hold because of "AHHH SO AWESOME. MUST READ NOW" impulses. ;P

[Zippergirl]

I just give my Kindle carousel a spin and ask for a show of hands. Whichever book yells Me! Me! the loudest gets picked. So many books, it never takes more than minute to choose.

Most are free deals, or read for review, and I am rarely disappointed.

[Ryan]

It's usually a gut check. I look at the available stack and wait for one to leap out at me. I try to vary between genres to mix it up, and I purposely don't read my favorite authors' work all at once. My biggest restriction right now is that I don't read other time travel books. My Time Shift Trilogy features time travel, and I don't want elements from other stories to accidentally bleed through.

[Tara Woods Turner]

I read whatever the Audible editors are raving about ha ha - they are rarely wrong. I go on a genre bender for about 3 or 4 books then I go polar opposite it's the equivalent of walking across a snow covered deck to get into a jacuzzi. I often choose fiction titles based on whatever nonfiction topic I'm currently obsessing over. Studying the life of Alexander the Great, for example, lead me straight to Mary Renault and I'm halfway through her extensive back catalog. I also like the 'people who purchased this also like this' or 'based on your purchase/wish list we recommend the following' type features. I don't read ANYthing without reading multiple reviews. No reviews, no way.

[China]

1. I look for my favorite authors' works.
2. The title and synopsis at the back.

[M.L.]

I've gotten to know the manager of the local library branch over the years, and he's pointed out some great reads to me. Get to know your librarian!

[Jane]

Eeney, meenie, miney, mo

[Shaheer]

the next book that I read is usually taken from the book I am currently reading. Thus, most books that I read are promoted through another book.

[P.J.]

I go for something wildly different every time. Fantasy > Literary > YA > Science Fiction > Non-fiction > memoir etc. My backlog/to read list is usually so long that I never struggle and always have an idea of what I should be reading next. I write Fantasy and SF but try to only spend about 40% of my reading time on those genres. We all need some variety. :)

[Noor]

I go to the fantasy and sci fi section and browse the shelves. I also look to see if authors I like have a new book out. I'm also moving towards reading things online these days since I don't have as much time to go look for print versions and it's SO MUCH EASIER to get things to read online :) I just wish I had more time to actually read.

[Lauryn]

I browse Goodread's Lists all the time. This only works if I have an idea of what I want to read next, but it never fails to find me another good book. Not too long ago, I was on a Greek Mythology binge so I looked through Lists for those kinds of books.

[Rita]

Dwayne wrote: "Sometimes I go with my favorite Indie authors, but I do try to seek out ones that are not getting much attention. If I see an Indie book that looks interesting but has few or no reviews, I'll proba..."

Dwayne, you're an indie author's dream reader! There should be more readers like you out there!

I look for my favourite authors, enjoy browsing the shelf in the library where the latest returns appear, do a few review requests, accept recommendations from friends. Otherwise I pick by the cover, read the blurb and read the first page to see if I like the style.

[Heather]

I love non fiction. I always ask myself what needs to change for me to be a better person and for me to hit my goals.

[Aneta]

Hello Everyone

If I enjoy the book I just read I usually pursue other titles by the same author, often till I have read them all.

If you would like, you can visit my blog where I review books. Hope you will enjoy the reading.

https://anopenbookbyaneta.wordpress.com

All the best
Aneta