September 1st - September 8th

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

We all only have a certain amount of time we can dedicate to reading so we have to be smart. How do you choose the books you read? Do you read mostly from the best sellers top ten, Oprah's list, Reece Witherspoon's picks, from recommendations on GR's? How do you decide what to read in your precious reading time?

[David]

I pick books to read based on :
1/ Books in series I like by authors I like.
2/ Stand-alones or first books in new series by authors I like.
3/ Books recommended by friends with similar tastes.
4/ Books that sound interesting based on the cover blurb.

Which specific book I read next is totally random with 2 conditions:
1/ I read series books in order.
2/ I don't read 2 books in a series in a row.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

Quillracer wrote: "I pick books to read based on :
1/ Books in series I like by authors I like.
2/ Stand-alones or first books in new series by authors I like.
3/ Books recommended by friends with similar tastes.
4/ ..."

What's the reason for not reading 2 books in a series in a row? I like reading series in order too.

[David]

Many years ago, I read 2 Harry Bosch books by Michael Connelly then 2 Dave Robicheaux books by James Lee Burke. All 4 were a bit darker than normal for either one and left me a bit sad. As a result, it was almost 2 years before I could read anything by either one.

[Icewineanne, Moderator]

Dislike reading one book after the other of the same author also, even if I really enjoy the series. I need a change of writing style, genre & setting from one book to the next 😊

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

Quillracer and Icewineanne, you two have got me to thinking. Can you see the smoke coming out of my ears? :)

[David]

I find, too, that changing authors is a bit like changing entrees for each meal.

Steak, no matter how much you love it (and I really, really do!) loses its taste if you eat it every day. But if you mix it up - steak then chicken then pork chops then fish - they all taste good every time.

Any author - I don't care how good he or she is - gets stale if he or she is the only one you read.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

food for thought (no pun intended hahahahaha)

[Karen]

I read DorothyL and get ideas of mysteries that sound like I might like them.
If they are part of a series I check to see if they are in my library system and put them on hold if they are.
Once I have received and read them I decide if my reading group will like them too, and if so I offer them the chance to read from that author.
I particulary like PI stories, police procedurals and books set in the San Francisco Bay Area or about baseball.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

I like baseball books too!

[Jenny]

I complete opposite to Quillracer and Icewineanne if I find a series I love. I will read all the books in that series at once. Depends on the series, I do not need to read series in order.

I do have my favourite authors. However, I am trying to expand my author's list and read books out of my comfort zone. Participating in reading challenges helps me find new authors.

[Icewineanne, Moderator]

Jenny, I’m one of those who must read the series in order, no way can i read one after the other......if i did, I’d figure out the author’s patterns & tricks......i prefer to be surprised without expectation 😊

[Jenny]

Icewineanne, I am hopeless I always seem to find a fantastic series by reading the first book out of sequences. :)

[Maureen]

I'm in the Quillracer and Icewineanne camp here. I like to read a variety of authors and some different genres. I read maybe 1 or 2 in a series and then move on to another author especially if a book is quite grim, I may feel the need to go for something cozy for the next read.
I like to read a series in sequence, but that's not always possible as I pick books up at the local library or from charity shops mainly.

[Icewineanne, Moderator]

Jenny wrote: "Icewineanne, I am hopeless I always seem to find a fantastic series by reading the first book out of sequences. :)"

I’m so OCD, that If someone recommends a later series book, I’ll always seek out book #1.....to see if I like the series. By the time I get to the book they actually recommended, it might be years later 😂

[Jezzy]

when I pick a book, I have to begin with his/her debut novel or 1st book of the series. it depends on my mood if i'd like to continue his/her next 1 or jump to a different author to change the settings & genres.

[Linda]

I'm reading 4 different series so I try to read 1 a month. Plus play catch up for new books from past series I've read.

[Cátia]

I get book recommendations from Goodreads and I check what my friends are reading, if I see something interesting I add it to my list. Then I just go to my list and pick something to read, depending on my mood and what I feel like reading at the time.
I don't mind reading two books from a series in a row. I just need to follow the proper order.

[Britney]

I will read a series in order. When I’ve out of order before I find myself wanting to know about the characters from the beginning just in case I miss something.

As in what to read next I just go by what I’m feeling. It could be anywhere from humor to mystery to true crime to sports books. I always at least 2 going at the same time. One I read at bedtime on my tablet & one physical book that I read when watching tv.

[˜”*°•.˜”*°• Sheri •°*”˜.•°*”˜, Moderator]

I don't have to read a series from start to finish without anything in between but my brain would drive me crazy if I read them out of order.

[Glorisa]

I completely agree with Quillracer!