How do you pick your next book?

[Emma]

I use books such as Nacy Pearl's book lust to find ideas for new books or I use the amazon suggestions. I also do go by author too.

[Emeshea]

While growing up and in my current apartment (where there is a library from past tenants) there has always been an extensive library of books that were just waiting to be read. So, I try to just browse what's at home for something good. Beyond that I highly value my friend's recommendations. In the past two years it seems that there have been a few books that have made the rounds in my friend groups, so we just keep trading. Then there is the occasional day when I find myself traveling or in town without a book, and in that case I might just stop in to whatever bookstore and choose something based on it's cover and the summary. This usually results in me choosing something I would never have read otherwise. :)

[Brianna]

When I'm at the library or a bookstore, I look at the spine if I have no specifics in mind. If the title or colors catch my eye I'll pick it up.

[Jessica (BookRockGoddess)]

I follow the challenges on the different groups. I also, take recommendations from friends.

[Rheanna]

i am really terrible at browsing new books, especially non-fiction. I usually have to wait until someone recommends a book to me. I tend to not like non-fiction books unless it meets a certain criteria. Most of the fiction books I read are historical, of a period nature, or crime related. I really need to get out of that rut I think. So I usually pick it either off of a recommendation or a topic i'm interested in, or a documentary I saw. Another thing I do is if I see a movie that I might like I usually find the book and read it first.

[M]

I sometimes do it by author, but most of the time I just look through my list and pick whatever I'm into at the moment. So I guess... sort of by genre for the most part.

[Suzanne]

Dear Eva,

I must admit I look at the Best Seller / Biographies list on Barnes and Noble as I live in Australia and this has a great allround list of books from American authors - my favourite.

Usually I will see what other books people have viewed when they viewed a book I liked too.

I must admit I am bewildered by Goodreads as there is so many great books that everyone is reading. I was an avid reader before but after discovering Goodreads I will never get that pile of books down to less than a Tower of Pisa that I want to read! I don't think I will finish as many books I would like to read in my lifetime.

When did you start to have a love of reading?

Was there someone who gave you the love of reading?

[Shawn]

Never the way I expect to.

i.e. basically I always have planned out the next 2-5 books I'm going to read, usually based on alternating genres (especially alternating fiction and non-fiction).

But then when it comes time to pick up the next book, I rarely pick up the one I had planned to read next! Instead of following my rational plan, I just go with whatever I feel like reading at that moment's whim. I guess I should really stop wasting my time planning out what books to read next!

[Suzanne]

Dear Mollie,

I know what you mean about never reading what you have planned on. I just went to the library to pick up book I reserved and I have come home with 5 other books not on my list to read.

I don't know what I would do without the library, maybe have less books to read. But would all us book lovers be as happy that we don't have much to read, I don't think we'd be as happy would we!

[Madison]

i decide what i read next by either going to the bookstore (in which case i usually go to the shelf with staff recommendations or the best sellers/new books) generally i go by book cover whatever catches my eye or the title
if i cant go to the bookstore i generally have a list of books i have been thinking about getting and have looked up and go through that list
or smts i just look around the house as a last resort generally there is smt i havent read yet so i grab tht

[Leslie]

It depends on my mood and what I'm already reading (I typically read two books at the same time). If I'm reading something fast-paced and entertaining, like The Girl Who Played with Fire, then I'll gravitate to a more literary and serious novel, such as A Gate at the Stairs. These are the two I'm reading and blogging about now.

Ex Lit Prof
www.the-reading-list.com