Cover to Cover Challenge discussion
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What To Read Next
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If I'm reading books that I own I always go from the smallest book to the biggest. If it's library books I read whatever is next on my printout they give you from the library.
Sometimes if I'm not in a mood for anything in particular I'll pick up several and read a few pages from each and just let the right book (or books, as usually happens) grab me. Weird maybe, but it works for me :)
Lisa - The smallest to largest book is a nifty idea ;) Of course I'm addicted to reading on my Kindle and that doesn't quite work lol. Of course I could always flip to the last page of books and start there (since they've been sitting on my Kindle longest!)Stacie - That's a great idea, except I'd probably get hooked on multiple ones and never get anything finished!
I'm not really in a particular mood - which is making it harder to choose anything. Booo!
I always go by what interests me the most.
I look at my library pile to see what's due first, or go to my TBR piles and just see what looks interesting at the moment.
I grab whatever is on top or whatever cover art I like the best.
Depends. Sometimes I'll spin the random wheel and see what comes up. Other times, I spin the "what does my bookstore actually have that appeals to me?" wheel.Other times yet, I ask friends for recommendations. Thanks to them, I've been introduced to some great books.
And right now, I have a stack of books that I need to read that I currently own. I'm working my way through what I've downloaded to my e-reader, prefering to only read one of those at a time - right now, that's Tess of the D'Urbervilles.
I'm trying to mix that with some light reading in the form of chick-lit, some humour in the form of a Canadian author I've waited too long to start reading (Stuart McLean) and Harry Potter - another series I waited too long to start.
Well I can say that it would be whatever book jumps out at me when I walk by the pile, bookcase, etc LOL but it wouldn't happen maybe it can be when I open my big bookcase door and it falls (which seems to be happening lately because there is a few standing across the front that don't want to stay where they are maybe that's trying to tell me something) I would have to say it has to do with my mood. Sometimes I go with reading a few pages and seeing if it grabs me right away which lately seems to be a big factor in my reading. I'm in the resisting mood of borders today I keep saying be good stay home and finish another afew books first. I finished a book last night which I never expected and it was one I had started so felt good to finally get it off the seems forever pile. I have 3 other books currently going and part of me wants to start one I started once before and who knows the reason I stopped reading it. The Cottage by Danielle steel. And yet part of me wants to pull out a trashy book and read it because I know most likely it will be finished today. Probably the Steel one would too but you never could tell with her's. Also downloaded two more books on my ipod this morning and I know I have to get reading on the ones I have on there. So let's say today my next book is questionable.
I'm with you Donnajo, whatever books pops out for me; sometimes I can actually hear them say; "Pick me! Pick me!" LOL
And seeing books that people have finished here you think "oh I have that wonder if I can find it to read?" When you have the amount I have of books finding a book when you know you have it isn't the easiest thing it's usually in the last possible location you would think it would be.
I tend to read a book depending on my mood and what I feeel like reading.I try to ensure I do not read to book in a row by the same author and some light books between heavier ones
I have set a challenge for myseof to clear my tbr so I am currently trying to read books I have bought pre sept 09 (have around 50+ books) and inbetween all that a I have a challenge to reread all my read books (350+)
I usually go with the one that seems to be calling my name when I go to my TBR pile. Sometimes, there are 2 or 3 calling my name, then it's 1 potatoe, etc.
Donnajo--do what I do--sort them alphabetically by author. That's the ONLy way I can keep track of where they are. And I have a LOT of books. :o) 10 7ft tall bookcases, a floor to ceiling bookcase that's 6' wide, 3 bookcases that are 3' tall. . . All packed front to back and top to bootom with books. And of course--the odd stack here and there.
My grandson used to live with me and I have actually let him pick my book because I couldn't decide. He is only 4 and can't read yet but he picked whatever on the cover appealed to him. And believe it or not what he picked was pretty good. I have done this twice.
Our small town library has few books on shelf, most are ordered in. So whatever comes in, is what I read next.
Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "10 7ft tall bookcases, a floor to ceiling bookcase that's 6' wide, 3 bookcases that are 3' tall..."You know that sound dogs make when they see something they really, really want? I think I just made the same noise ;)
Doing my by the alphabet would probably be next to impossible with the amount I have. Plus the hcs are easy they are either in the middle section of the big bookcase (they wouldn't fit the other places) or in bags they is probably below 400 of those closer to 300. Trade size would be middle section or bags and pbs can be anyplace. On the big bookcase middle section it's front row and back on the sides it's only what fits since they are angled so you don't fit much on each shelve. I almost have a hallway bookcase which has pbs only (again front of back) one in my extra room which is one of those small video stands but I us it for books, A small fold down type in my bedroom which is pbs, one that is like that but alittle bigger in the livingroom which is hcs and some trade size. Two nightstands in my bedroom which has open area that I have two rows of books. Also a end table in the den which mostly has vcr tapes but some books squeezed in but those I know I wouldn't read for awhile and I know mostly what is in there since I mark it in the book listing. Then there is bags. So when there is a hunt I can kind of figure and hope the book is where I look something it's easy sometimes sometimes it's not. If I went by the book listing a few years ago when I did it I was easy because it was in that order. But I've moved books so many times around that it's harder now. Certain authors if I have alot of books by them I try to keep them together. 
I scan my list, pick out 2 or 3 that are "maybes", go get the actual books, read the jackets and then pick one. I then read the first page or two to determine if it's a "keeper." I try to go with a different type story from the one I just read, but sometimes I don't even do that.
I am a mood reader and what ever catches my particular fancy that day. When i have a huge stack of library books sitting here i pick usually a series book first. Then pick up the ones i have just browsed and pick the most interesting one, or if i know i want a group reads done i'll pick the smallest.
Myself, if I can't decide, I take out the books I listed for monthly challenges, put them side by side, and if I still can't decide, I get my daughter (turning 9) to pick. LOL, she's usually pretty good at picking out just the right book. If she's not around, I pull the eenie-meenie-miney-mo. If, say by page 25 or 30, the book isn't catching my attention, I'll set it aside and do the whole thing over again. Sometimes I just need to be in the mood to read that specific genre.
I just chose a book that I have from the library or read one that is on my TBR list. I also have pen pal read so I read that one, and if I have any group reads, I read those, than decide what I want to read.
I finished another book last night. 3 books for feb so far. Today don't know what will happen. Eye dr. appt today so that means they will be dilating them. And already they are sensitive and tearing. Probably because of too much reading. And I've been using more glasses more which I never do. 
What is a Pen Pal Read? I have seen that mentioned in a couple of posts now.
Donnajo--I have a mild case of OCD, so I HAVE to have my books in alphabetical order. Otherwise they drive me NUTS. Periodically my husband goes through and pulls them all off the shelves so that we can dust/clean everything. He just throws them into the middle of the floor when he does that. So then I spend 3 or 4 days re-sorting them and putting them back away. Altho the last time he did that--I paid my grandkids to come over and help me sort them and put them away. That time they all got put up in 1 day, and I didn't have huge stacks of books laying around everywhere. :o)
If I get to do any more organizing I think it would be just to make sure all the hcs were together on the bookcase in the middle area but that means finding spots for the things I have to move like pbs and trades. But I'm always going though and weeding out so many that will be a future job to do. There isn't that many in bags just the newer stuff and besides the bookcase downstairs which have older books I can leave them just get the ones out of bags and maybe a pile or two and get all the hcs on the shelve. If I get those down in count I can fill in with the trades and pbs and more fit of those than hcs. So that is a good thing to work towards.
Thanks for all the interesting idea peeps!I guess I should have explained to begin with - a lot of you are saying "I pick whatever interests me most" - the problem with me, I either have a huge interest in *all* my books, or I have no idea *what* I have an interest in. This seems to happen to me a lot when picking anything. I'll be hungry, but have no clue what I'm in the mood to eat. Sandwich? Soup? Salad? Nuggets? Pizza? I don't know! Or, I'll want all of it! If I don't make some sort of system or order to things I often will get so frustrated with my inability to choose I just won't choose at all.
Luckily I just randomly decided to start up Soulless on my Kindle and it was just the kind of thing I was in the mood for. So I'm back on track for 144 (well, as on track as I can be ;) ) and won't have pick a book anxiety again until I finish that one - lol.
I like the idea of trying to clear off my TBR though - and I may sort it by date added and start picking books that have been on the list the longest when I'm having issues deciding what to read. I like the idea of "clearing the clutter" so to speak, and finally reading things I meant to read ages ago.
I think to clear tbr is a good idea. I have am workingmy way thru books bought sept 2009 and before and keeping a list of books boyght after and will start working my way through those a bit later in a few months
Anna I'm like you. All my books that I hae already read are in alphabetical order.
In a book I read (although I've read so many, I couldn't tell you which one it is,) the heroine says she picks a book by reading the end first. If the end isn't happy she doesn't want to waste her valuable time on it. The male character asked her how she could enjoy a book when she knew the ending, and she replied that it was the journey, seeing how the story got to the ending that was important to her. I had to really think about that one. I've only ever skipped ahead in a book a couple of times when every thing happening is bad and I want to get an idea of how long before the good guys starting turning things around in their favor.
Regarding organizing books, I have ADD, and I always seem to come up with new systems and can't settle on one. I have two bookshelves in my office, one in my bedroom and one downstairs. I usually only keep books I am likely to want to read again, and I go the library a lot. Now, because I want to start collecting Nora Roberts books, I've had to revamp my system and give her books their own shelf. Books that I borrow from the library and from my mother each have to separated into their own sections and they are not alphabetized because they're aren't that many, and it's not worth the effort putting them in order.
I have a few Star Trek Books that I keep and some that are to be read, and they are all together, ordered by series. Nonfiction books are together by subject and my fiction is in alpha order by author.
Vanessa, I can totally relate to the heroine in the book "... she replied that it was the journey, seeing how the story got to the ending that was important to her." Yup, hope I can remember that the next time someone asks me why I read the ending of a book.
Rayni wrote: "Vanessa, I can totally relate to the heroine in the book "... she replied that it was the journey, seeing how the story got to the ending that was important to her." Yup, hope I can remember that t..."Yeah Rayni, it's a good one. I think it was one of Amanda Quick's heroines. She tends to write hers with a sense of pragmatism and light humor.
Vanessa, I'm pretty sure the heroine your thinking of is in Running Hot. I've always enjoyed JAK/AQ heroines. :)
I think you're right, Sherry. I just read that one recently. That one was not my favorite of the series, but her heroines are always great and refreshing.
I go to the library and go to the new section. You will be grabbing a few at a time.Plus the library is fun.
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ı think it's never too late or too early to pick up an Austen, especially PP and Emma and Persuasion. If you are sick of those I suggest you read Marguerite Duras, she writes things beautifully simply.(too many adverbs ı guess, but still, you got the idea)... I thought the Lover or Vice Consul were her very best.
I look at the goodreads ratings of the books then decide to read the one with the best rating !
Cover to Cover Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
Running Hot (other topics)Soulless (other topics)
So, what do you do? How do you pick your next read? Eenie Meanie Minnie Moe? Pick a random number and read whatever book is on your TBR in that number spot? Throw a dart at the bookshelf? I need help! I want to start something tonight for sure and just cannot choose!!