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Non Book Talk > Your To-Read List ideas come from......

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message 1: by Robyn (new)

Robyn (roxy_nj) | 354 comments So this was going to be an message to Holli but I thought it could make and interesting public conversation so...

Holli recently "asked to be my friend", very exciting for me because she was my first! Now I have TWO though!! Anyway, I was getting updates on her to-read list and damn it if I didn't keep finding books to add to MINE!
This isn't really a horrible thing, lord knows I don't want to run out of things to read but well, I would occasionally like to see I making a DENT in my list! So I've GOT to stop reading Holli's "to-read" updates.

There's a question in here for everyone, I SWEAR!

HERE IT IS: Where/How do you find books to add to your TR list?


message 2: by Holli (new)

Holli People magazine....seriously Roxy...don't laugh!! And other's updates..... for a long time I've wanted a way to keep track of all the books i want to read and this is perfect for me!!!


message 3: by Tera, First Chick (new)

Tera | 2564 comments Mod
Okay before goodreads my to read list came from trolling the library for hours judging books by their covers.
I don't recommend that direction.
Since goodreads, I get most of my lists from all of you and other goodread friends. When I connect with someone I figure I would connect with what they are reading. At the very least I am intrigued. I love getting updates and seeing what they have added.
Michael (from here) also just started a really great group called the The Idiot's Guide to the Ultimate Reading list. That has been a lot of fun to go through for books and perspective.


message 4: by April (new)

April (contusions96) From my Good Reads friends
Magazines,
Blogs,
wandering around Barnes & Noble for hours.
the library



Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie (bloominchick) Let's see... Pre GoodReads & in addition to it, I get reads from The NY Times as well as from new release advertisements in The NY Times Book Review, browsing at the library and Barnes & Noble, my friends Michelle and Gillian, Googling particular subjects, sometimes tv, sometimes blogs, once in a blue moon from magazines... I think that pretty much covers it!


message 6: by Mich (new)

Mich | 150 comments my to read list comes from MORE magazine reviews, and trolling target and barnes and noble.


message 7: by Amanda (last edited Jun 03, 2008 06:07AM) (new)

Amanda (randymandy) | 467 comments I steal from other people's shelves! (Virutal shelves--I don't do any actual stealing.) Also, if I find an author I like, I'll dive into all their books.

Edit: Also the book clubs are good. We always end up reading something I wouldn't normally read.


message 8: by Kim (last edited Jun 03, 2008 06:34AM) (new)

Kim (kmdoubleday) I do the same thing, Mands... If I find one author that I really like I end up reading everything by them.

Before GR, I used to just hit the library and look at recommendations.. I'm a big YA fan, so sometimes I would just hand out in that room and find titles that interested me. I found Sonya Sones that way and I absolutely adore her. I also looked at the NY times list and the Green Mountain Book Award lists..



message 9: by Sydney (new)

Sydney (sydneyh) I scour magazines (everything from Time and Newsweek to People) for ideas on what to read. I also get a healthy amount of ideas from friends (especially since I've got them all on GR). Before GR I would just wander the bookstores aimlessly. Also, like Amanda and Kim said, if I like an author, I tend to want to read everything they've written, unless I become bored with their writing style.
I also used to get a number of publicity copies of books when I worked in TV news, so that helped introduce me to some authors I wouldn't normally have read.


message 10: by Brittany (new)

Brittany (celticrockchic) | 13 comments I work with a girl named Sarah and she's always giving me book suggestions, it's great. She's my go-to girl when I need a book idea.


message 11: by Robyn (new)

Robyn (roxy_nj) | 354 comments Ah yes, trolling the bookstore. Is that on one of those "you know you're getting older/are married if..." lists?
".....you stop trolling for hardbodies at the bar and start trolliing for hardbacks in the bookstore."

I'm a Border's gal myself. I've also found that paperbacks often have advertisements for books so a similar theme in the back.


message 12: by Amanda (new)

Amanda (randymandy) | 467 comments Oh, yes, those ads in the back. When I was a pre-teen and read the Babysitters Club series, I LOVED to look in the and see what was coming soon. I would look at those pages and obsess over new books. That was when they had the mail in order forms in there, too--never did order anything though. Don't know that I had the guts to ask my parents for permission!


message 13: by MJ (new)

MJ I get then from:
best sellers list
a lot form goodread friends
co-workers (we are always trading books)
family
those books that tell you what books to read (love those a lot)
randomly buying books off the discount table (i will buy a book just because its $4.97).


message 14: by Robyn (new)

Robyn (roxy_nj) | 354 comments Cupcake,
Hee hee....I feel i should know you better before callling you by such a sweet name. ;-)
What are "those books that tell you what to reak?" I'm intrigued.

I forgot. I also get those Readers Digest Select addition books. AND I have a librian friend who has slowly been turning me on to YA. She also passes along all sorts of stuff plus always has such interested books laying around waiting to be read.


message 15: by Tera, First Chick (new)

Tera | 2564 comments Mod
".....you stop trolling for hardbodies at the bar and start trolliing for hardbacks in the bookstore."

Cracked me UP!!!


Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie (bloominchick) hey now! i troll for books at any number of places & flowers at garden centers and while i'm no longer trolling for mens (married a fine one!), that doesn't mean i'm getting old!

s#*t, when i was trolling for mens, all i found were trolls!


message 17: by Robyn (new)

Robyn (roxy_nj) | 354 comments LOL, Jo. i suppose that is where the term trolling came from.


message 19: by MJ (last edited Jun 04, 2008 09:09PM) (new)

MJ Roxy you know books like The Complete Idiots Guide to the Ultimate Reading List or Book Lust or 1001 books to read before you die. Those kind of books.

I was only going to keep cupcake for a few weeks I am getting such an awesome response I may legally change my name to it.;)

I troll for men at the bookstore now instead of the bar.


message 20: by Amanda (new)

Amanda (randymandy) | 467 comments How's that working out for ya? Seriously, let me know. I'm waaaaay sick of the single life!


message 21: by Amanda (last edited Jun 05, 2008 04:44AM) (new)

Amanda (randymandy) | 467 comments Actually, that's not such a bad idea, Teri. Maybe I could get a job as a dog-walker. I don't have a dog of my own, so I'd have to get my hands on one somehow... :)

The town I live in has been ranked as one of the WORST places for single people to live, because EVERYONE here is married. If I didn't have a small business and a business partner, I'd be outta here so fast you wouldn't be able to recognize the Amanda-shaped blur speeding by!

But, dog-walking! I could be just like the character from In Her Shoes!!!


message 22: by MJ (new)

MJ I tried talking my dog for walks in the park and that didnt work.

As for the bookstore the quality of men are better than the bar but its still a hit or miss.


message 23: by Robyn (new)

Robyn (roxy_nj) | 354 comments hmmm.....I would think the bookstore would make browsing for a men a little easier, being able to see what section the are browsing in or what they're buying.

If you are interested in construction workers, rent a little boy, a toy dump truck and loader and play near a construction site. I'd totally ahve a date by now if I wasn't already married (lots of construction on our street and they all come to talk to my kid!)


message 24: by MJ (last edited Jun 05, 2008 10:54AM) (new)

MJ i have a nephew and i bet if i gave him $5 he would put his video games down and go play outside....I may try this next


message 25: by Meg (new)

Meg (megvt) | 3069 comments I forgot to add that I also get book ideas from the book section in USA Today and The New York Times.


message 26: by Robyn (new)

Robyn (roxy_nj) | 354 comments I went to Borders yesterday to get a book for a tween relative. OMG! I had to force myself to grab the book I intended to get and get the hell out of there! I was finding all this kids/YA books that I wanted to read! Even the book I got for the relative I had to wrap as soon as I got home so as not to start reading it.

Books are like an addiction and the bookstore is like the hottest bar in town!!


message 27: by Tera, First Chick (new)

Tera | 2564 comments Mod
I worked at a B&N in college. Trust me it wasnt for the pay! They pay horribly but I was in heaven. You got to take home any book you wanted to read like a library. Also when they do the rip with paperbacks. They rip off the cover to get some of their money back but they cant sell the rest of the book. We always got to go through that pile and take what we wanted. It was the only job I loved dusting and straightening the shelves because it meant looking through book after book while i was cleaning.
Great job. Horrible pay.


message 28: by Amanda (new)

Amanda (randymandy) | 467 comments hee hee! Roxy, I'm envisioning on the whirlwind tour now! In my head, you're on fast forward set to music.

I thought about heading over to the used bookstore this afternoon. At least if I buy something there, it won't cost me an arm and a leg! In my town, the used bookstore is like a grunge bar for college age kids. And me. :)


Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie (bloominchick) i worked for b&n too! bout 5 years ago! and yes, the pay SUCKS! i quit for 2 reasons~ 1 because they stuck me in the cd/dvd dept and that's NOT what i wanted (i managed a cd store before that so they wanted me in there cause of my "experience" - i wanted to assist customers w/books!) and 2 because there was a CREEPY guy there EVERY day, ALL DAY and one look at him told me he was a stalker/predetor & i had my girlfriend come & check him out and she said the same - shortly after i quit, he raped one of the cashiers in the mall parking lot because she got stuck parking way at the back of the lot, too far from the store to see.


message 30: by Emily (new)

Emily (ejfalke) | 576 comments SCARY story, Jo! Yikes - it's a true story to all those worries my mom constantly had about me walking out to my car after work, shopping, etc. at night. I'm glad you quit.

Anyway, I get my to-read list from whatever people recommend. I am an English teacher, so I get lots of YA recommendations (and I love to read those books) from my students and the library.
I have certain friends that whenever we get together we ask, "So, what have you read lately?" If it's good, I'll add it to my list.
I'm also in a literary criticism class this summer, and that added about 3000 pages of reading for May-July.
Also, I will try to read books by select authors just because they wrote it (like Shannon Hale, one of my favorites).
Yeah, and my husband is used to me wanting to go wander B&N for a date on Friday nights...


message 31: by Robyn (new)

Robyn (roxy_nj) | 354 comments LOL, Amanda. Thats about right....just add in the crazy conversation under my breath....
"ooo that title looks intresting. (smack). DON'T TOUCH THAT! WALK AWAY! (turning away) Oh look at that cover, its pretty....STOP! PRETTY MEANS ADMIRE FROM AFAR NOT COMPULSIVELY BUY!"....

you get the picture.


message 32: by Leslie (new)

Leslie Hickman (bkread2) | 233 comments A have gotten several from other peoples bookshelves, recommendations on Amazon from books that I enjoyed. Some by looking at the "raves" of my books and seeing the authors who wrote those remarks and then check out their books to simply by walking down the aisles at the library. That's how I found Patrick Dennis, Sarah Webb...etc. I have got very few from people I actually work with or take classes with (I take non-credit college classes like tai chi, yoga, and languages for fun).

Hey Cupcake I can also say this...its how I got my last two guys...strolling the bookstore and taking classes for fun. The last was a lawyer and the current a doctor. Must be working a bit! Smart men like smart women and they want to find them where they know that they tend to go. Not many dumb people go to bookstores!!


message 33: by Tera, First Chick (new)

Tera | 2564 comments Mod
I really think there is legitimacy in the idea of meeting a great guy at a bookstore. Atleast you know he's literate. But here's a question for you. IF you meet this seemingly great guy at the bookstore then look down to see what books he has gathered if they are SO far off your radar would you date him? If the book was "How to move out of your parent's basement at 40 and still get invited over for dinner" or "The history of silk panties". Okay maybe those are over the top but say he's got a stack of politcal books that are the exact opposite of your view would you pursue?


message 34: by Amanda (new)

Amanda (randymandy) | 467 comments Wow, Tera, that's a toughie... Hmmmm... I'm going to say Yes. "Why, Amanda???" you might be saying. But here's why: If we've gotten to the point that we strike up conversation and we're laughing and having a good time, then AT LEAST WE'VE GOT THAT! I'm not saying that I'd date this guy if he has the exact opposite political or religious viewpoints as I do, but there's no harm in being friendly. It could turn out that he has a friend who is perfect for me, or that I have a friend that is perfect for him.

I'm glad this is a hypothetical question... In my head, I honestly believe I would behave this way, but I wonder if I was actually faced with the situation, would I see it differently... How many hours until I'm done my workday and can hit the bookstore???


message 35: by Amanda (last edited Jun 10, 2008 04:30AM) (new)

Amanda (randymandy) | 467 comments PS. Leslie! Taking classes--way to go, gal! I've considered doing classes several times but I just haven't actually done it yet. What a fantastic way to meet people and exercise the ol' brain at the same time!


message 36: by Dianne (new)

Dianne friends on goodreads and blogs before I'll admit it and don't laugh Oprah. No time for researching books back then.


message 37: by Christine (new)

Christine | 1311 comments I got my ideas from Top Books for 2009, 2010 etc. on Google. That was before I came here. Now I scout out bookshelves and also read reviews. After reading a review then I look up the book and decide whether or not it's something I want to read and add it to my TBR shelf.

As for meeting men, I'm WAY outta the loop ( married for 20 years) but I totally agree w Leslie. Smart Men like smart women. I tell my girls that all the time! :) I have considered a second job to finally once and for all get out of credit card debt. Barnes and Noble is one of my choices. I haven't done it yet cause I'm working crazy hours at my first job.. LOL.. good to know it's a good company though.


message 38: by laut (new)

laut A lot of books I read are from the 1001 books to read before you die list, which has admittedly turned up a lot of rubbish, but there's also been a fair few gems as well.

I also add books from my friends feeds on here, and from the bookshelves of the groups I'm part of on here.

Aside from those, it's mainly reading more of authors I've discovered and enjoyed.


message 39: by Dianne (new)

Dianne Brenda (Lansdowne) wrote: "Believe it or not, my husband. That man knows what I like to read and since he spends more time in a library than he does anywhere else, he always brought back stuff I enjoyed.

Now with goodreads..."


Your lucky My husband would give me fishing or golfing books to read.


message 40: by Mandy (new)

Mandy Petrocelli my ever-growing TBR list comes from this group, friends' recommendations, and amazon.com. i seem to add 10 books to my TBR list for every book i read. that's not exactly progress, is it? : )


Elizabeth (Alaska) Before GR, I wandered book stores mostly. I have never picked up a book because I read a review article, but I did hear about some on the radio. Since joining GR? Groups and friends. I never browse book store shelves anymore, I have a running list in my head.


message 42: by M.j. (new)

M.j. Hennessy | 2 comments I love walking around book stores but, sadly, there are so few left in Boston these days. I am in a book club, and we take turns making a list of 5 to choose from. When it's my turn to make the list I Google "book club selections". It's usually hard to whittle it down to just 5, there are so many good choices. Sometimes I end up reading books on the list that we didn't choose.


message 43: by Tera, First Chick (new)

Tera | 2564 comments Mod
I like the listopia feature. I use that when I'm in the mood for a certain type of book. I also like to look at the most popular sections for the months popular reads


message 44: by Becky (new)

Becky (divadog) | 1015 comments I get my ideas from NYT, NPR and GR groups and friends. I look and see what else people have recommended.


message 45: by Jennifer W (new)

Jennifer W | 2175 comments I get most of my TBR books from seeing what other people here on goodreads are reading. Other than that, I wander the local public library. Another source that I like a lot is Book Page magazine. Sometimes my library has it, or I can look it up online.


message 46: by Jennifer (new)

Jennifer | 229 comments The NY Times, Kindle suggestions, O's reading list, Goodreads suggestions, wandering bookstores, and swapping books between family members.


message 47: by Laura K (new)

Laura K | 266 comments Much of the books on my tbr list comes from CoL's "What are you reading?", "What did you finish?", and HF's "What are you reading?". I also get many leads from various newsletters like Random House and Bookreporter.com. Blogs that I follow are also another excellent source. Researching and following leads on potential good books is great fun for me, sort of like a treasure hunt.


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