How do you choose your next book?

[Ellie]

I read thematically. Once I get hooked on a theme then I seek out everything to do with it from books to DVDs. At the moment I am between the wars (1920s-1930s) but other themes have been The Tudors, Eleanor of Acquitaine, China, Japan, India, Scandi-crime, America 1950s, English classics etc...Sometimes I will just read without a specific direction but once one books hooks me on a theme then I'm gone!

[Melissa]

Sarah (Loudog) Louise wrote: "I like that idea, I try to do that myself. Historical Fiction over to Fantasy. MOST of the time I bounch between those two Genres"

Thanks, I'm glad you like my idea. :)

[Melissa]

Alana wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Often times, I decide what I'm going to read next because it's the opposite of what I read last. If I read a crime thriller last, I'll pick up something funny that has nothing to do..."

Thanks, I'm glad my idea is so popular.

[Christina]

I just stumble upon books. If they seem interesting for any reason, I read them.

[Stephanie]

I didn't know folks had such a methodology to picking their next books! I usually read based on what my mood is at the time and/or if it's a book that I have to read out of either for work or obligation of friendship.

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

I read by mood and mostly switch between genres. I generally don't read series book in a row because any issues with writing style become glaring after several books. Sometimes this is bad because my memory is going with age.

Now that I'm on GR and another site, I do try to plan a bit more for challenges. I LOVE hunting for a book that will meet multiple challenges --- it's like being a detective. This group as great challenges because they generally allow for a variety of books, although there is the HF leaning (natural given the name).

[Anita]

Amber wrote: "like most people have stated before me, I just pick whatever looks most interesting at the time. I have had book sit for years before I finally read them. In all things there is a season and someti..."

I'm like that, too. I buy books I know I'll want to read at some point, but I sometimes let them sit for months or, yes, years before reading. Have to be in the right mood for the particular book.

I'm also not tied to genre, but mostly look for books that aren't too pigeonholed in their respective genres. I enjoy mysteries, police procedurals, sci-fi, and books with a paranormal twist, as well as historical novels. As long as the writing is good, the characters believable, and the plot involving, I can read just about anything.
Anita

[Sarah Louise]

alright people, it's reached an all time low...I've started throwing plastic darts at my bookselves. Yes, that is how I've recently been picking books....Plastic darts. There are just TOO many that I haven't read and I'm try to not bring a single new book into the house until i've done some damage to the "not read" shelf in my living room. Hence the darts.

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

@Sarah --- that is too funny. Unfortunately, my books are stashed in bookcases in at least 5 different spots in the house so that method won't work for me.

However, you can use random.org to generate a random number if you have most of your "to-reads" in a GoodReads list with priority setting :-D

[Geoff]

I cheat and have two or three different genre on the go, at the same time, so it all depends on how I feel at the time as to the particular book that I carry on reading.
Currently have thriller (paperback) Stephen Leather, HF (20th century) Blue Suitcase (on Kindle), (paperback) factual history of Hong Kong, (paperback) Streets of George Town Penang for research for the sequel of my own book.
On Friday, in the next suburb, we have a giant second-hand book sale (thousands of books on sale - an annual event) guaranteed to cost me quite a few dollars, but at least all sales go to a particular charity. Last year about $130 for around 45 to 50 books between my wife and I. The problem I have is that I hardly ever get rid of books - I often read a book more than once - so now have about 18 boxes in the garage . . .all book shelves in the house are full.

[Alissa]

@JoLene and @Geoff - same here, I have a few different books on hand as well in case I get tired of one and want to switch up.
I find that with a lot of HF books, the descriptions can get quite carried away and the language quite heavy, but a 'refresher' novel in between helps.

I usually pick a book through the NYT bestseller list so I can be assured of good prose, at least, although the titles tend to be commercial.

I also browse the Amazon bestseller lists, but lately, I've begun to find more books through goodreads, having just joined a couple of months ago.

[Sarah Louise]

So i'm totally digging Listopia right now. Recently though I went into my favorite bookstore in the world! It's this little bookstore, family owned, just wonderful. I actually walk in and the smell of it is so familiar, i've been going there since I was really small. Everytime I go in there, I just brows the self with nothing in mind. I ALWAYS find a brilliant book. That was how I found so many of my favorite authors. That goodness for Tanners Books, my readers-block is DONE

[Monica]

I prefer books that are set in the 19th century and earlier. I don't know why, but I like by history further back in time. :) I try to look for people and cultures that I haven't read about before, but there are are few people/characters I could read about again and again.

[Steven]

I like seeing that I am not alone in my 'vice' of book hunting and owning.

I get an over-the-shoulder, raised eyebrow glance from my wife everytime I launch myself out the door headed to the bookstores. This is because of the walls and walls and piles and piles of read and reread books she must share our house with. To say nothing of the attempts at getting my attention while I stare at amazon or b&n on the computer screen.

My favorite writers just don't write them fast enough. So, I go on a treasure hunt that searches spine by spine for something new, or new/used,or just used that fall into my areas of interest. Next I go for the cover art and blurbs, and then I fan through looking for writing style in the paragraphs that catch my eye. Those being judged I head for the cashier.

[Steven]

Lee wrote: "Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Lee wrote: "Robin wrote: "Is that a special tax other than your usual tax? "

Yes and no - VAT is our usual point of sale tax, but some goods are exempt. Children's..."

Being a technological caveman, Im new to the Kindle. I don't envy you for the VAT. Only this year our 'no new taxes' governor and legislature voted to tax internet sales. At least you don't pay that for hardcopies.

[Bill]

How do I choose? It's not always easy. And, I have to start a new book the instant I finish the current book (it's in my genes). Sometimes I'm in a specific mood, say for space opera I've never read or an HF of a specific period. I'll go looking through my stacks of of unreads (800+ books) to find just what I need. If that doesn't work, I may have to go online to find the perfect choice (meanwhile reading short stories or ebooks). And if it's a series I have to make sure I have all the books ready to read. I like to read series back to back.

And sometime I just pick the top book of the nearest stack in a I-wonder-what-this-is-about mood.

[M.]

I think perhaps it reflects my mood. Sometimes I want a known quantity, a writer whose work I like with some as yet unread by me. Other times I want to try a new author or a book I've heard reviewed on NPR or elsewhere. Although I'm partial to mystery/suspense, I sometimes want to "cleanse my palate" with something different.

I also like to switch between traditionally published books and good quality indies.
Ruth

[Diana]

I usually read from a long list of favourite authors but recently I've tried to pick some indie authors to read on kindle for every other book to broaden my reading habits. I like to put at least one blog post per month about the books I have read, mainly Historical Fiction but some are part of my research. You've prompted me Nancy to go and support my local library too.

[R.M.F.]

There was an interesting stat about the average person who lives to 75 years and reads a least one book a week, will get through 3900 books in his/her lifetime.

Even more pressure to pick the right book :)

[Diana]

Indeed RMF. I once helped an elderly couple to rationalize their book collection which they realised they'd have to live to 150 ys to read them all. It was a sobering task though...even knowing they would not get to read them it was hard to choose when having the actual book in their hands. Now, with the vast numbers to make our choice, it's a bit like a lottery. That's why recommendations are vital:-)

[Nancy from NJ]

When we visited Israel this past Fall one of the places we toured was David Ben Gurion's Home. He had an immense library which took up almost all of the second floor of his home and we were told he read 45,000 books in his lifetime.

[R.M.F.]

Diana wrote: "Indeed RMF. I once helped an elderly couple to rationalize their book collection which they realised they'd have to live to 150 ys to read them all. It was a sobering task though...even knowing the..."

I suppose with medical advances people will make it to the age of 150, but that still only leaves you with 7800 good choices to make.

[R.M.F.]

Nancy wrote: "When we visited Israel this past Fall one of the places we toured was David Ben Gurion's Home. He had an immense library which took up almost all of the second floor of his home and we were told h..."

He must have had a book in each hand, and one between his feet!

[Jenny*=^.^=CrazyKatLady=^.^=*InMO]

While I "Haunt" my library I usually chose by the blurb on the inside jacket then I will bring them home, look at their reviews here on GR, and start one or two at a time, most of the time a HF and a NF at once.

[Jennifer]

An appealing cover really get's my attention.

[Nancy from NJ]

I found oneof my all time favorite books by seeing the cover for the first time. The books was The Shell Seekers and the original cover was beautiful. As far as a synopsis on the flyleaf, I remember lkooking at The Kite Runner for months before I took it out. I guess I didn't think I would enjoy reading this book. Didn't enjoy it, I loved it.

[Faith]

Like many, I've been trying to winnow the Mount To Be Read. The new and shiny always win over the older purchases. Last year I tried something new that forced me to read some of the older things. I ordered my TBR shelf by alpha title within type (HB, trade paper, mass paper) and read in order. Hardbacks for home and trade/mass paper for commuting. That forced me to read 22 books that had languished on my shelves for over a year. What I didn't account for is that over a third of the sixty books I read last year were ebooks (the new and shiny wins again!)

[Victoria]

Usually get my books via the library, so when I first walk in I visit the "new additions" shelves, or if I'm feeling ambitious, the "rapid reads" (due in one week). Recently started using the app "wondurlist" to make a "to read" list of books I want to try from bookstore browsing. I've only started this recently, and it has become a hefty list!

[Bryn]

Goodreads has just taken over, in what to read next. Whether groups, or now even ads. I've begun to pay attention to the ads and bought one daily last couple of days from them, nice discoveries. And one such hijacked my schedule with demands to be read right now.

I tell you, Goodreads. As if I didn't already walk waist-high in book piles about my little flat. I have shelves wherever a cranny exists for shelves, and have begun to do what I never thought I'd do: stack them on the floor.

[C.P.]

Bryn wrote: "I tell you, Goodreads. As if I didn't already walk waist-high in book piles about my little flat. I have shelves wherever a cranny exists for shelves, and have begun to do what I never thought I'd do: stack them on the floor.

LOL. I switched to the iPad for reading novels, just so I wouldn't have to buy new bookshelves, only to wind up with a huge number of unread books ON the iPad. And now that I am hosting New Books in Historical Fiction, I am collecting print books again, mostly hard cover. So I have to buy a new bookshelf anyway!

Sigh. Once a bookworm, always a bookworm.

[Rosalie]

I used to pick books by browsing at the library, but now I go by recommendations from bk clubs I'm in or through groups such as this one.
@C.P. - what is the "New Books in Historical Fiction" you mentioned? Sounds interesting.

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

My TBR list is four pages long. These are just books I own. I group them by series because I read more books that are parts of series.

[C.P.]

Rosalie wrote: "C.P. - what is the "New Books in Historical Fiction" you mentioned? Sounds interesting."

Free podcast on the Web, part of the New Books Network. My channel is rather new: I am currently interviewing one author a month, but I hope to get up to two a month by the end of 2013. You can find the interviews at http://newbooksinhistoricalfiction.com. The links to subscribe to the podcast are there, or you can download individual interviews that interest you.

You can also like us on Facebook to get updates. And there is a New Books in History channel (http://newbooksinhistory.com) that has been around longer and updates once a week. I have nothing to do with that, but people may find it interesting. It is the nonfiction counterpart to NBHF.

[Rebecca]

Before Goodreads I had a pretty long TBR. After joining...Oh Boy, my list is ridiculously long. Getting a Nook didn't help because now I can buy books instantly and have access to so many easily from my library.

When looking for my next book to read, a BIG factor is the cover art. If a book has a great cover then I am drawn to it and at the very least it gets added to me "read soon" list. As it happens this is also a big part of the books I purchase (in print and eBooks).

I also try to alternate between paperbook and ebook. I feel like this is the best way for me to wittle away at both "stacks" of unread books I have. It also narrows down my available choices.

[Donna]

I like to find out what my favorite authors like or liked to read, and then search out those titles and authors. This used to be harder before authors had websites and blogs, but now it is fairly easy.

[Donna]

Yangsze wrote: "I often pick books from the library or a good independent bookstore. There was one bookstore where I used to live in MA, which almost always had something I wanted to read -- great recommendations,..."

I think cover designs are about to change quite a bit, as more readers buy books online and only see cover art in thumbnail form. A lot of cover designs that work in the bookstore won't work that size.

[Rebecca]

Yangsze wrote: "What sort of book covers do you find yourself drawn to? For me, the worst thing is if the book cover is misleading about the type of book it is! "

It's so hard to explain what draws me to certain cover art. Just something that stands out, not a plain cover or like a simple/overused theme (garden, landscape, house etc.) I wouldn't say that's ALWAYS true, but I like something that pops and is unique. I also really like an interesting script for the title.

These books I read without even reading the summary because I loved the cover!

[Rebecca]

Donna wrote: "I think cover designs are about to change quite a bit, as more readers buy books online and only see cover art in thumbnail form. A lot of cover designs that work in the bookstore won't work that size."

I agree that makes sense but I hope they don't do that!! One of the reasons it took me so long to get an eReader was because I like seeing booksovers on my shelf and while I read them. Luckily on my tablet I can still see the covers in COLOR (very important) while they are on my virtual shelf

My favorite thing to do when I go on trips is pick a book from the airport (or train station) bookstore. I go to the NYT Bestseller wall and look at the covers. Usually I pick a book(s) based only on their cover art! It's so fun!

[Jackie]

Rebecca wrote: "Usually I pick a book(s) based only on their cover art! It's so fun! "

That's a pretty brave thing to do. lol. I'm a big cover whore, but I read the blurb to make sure it at least sounds interesting. I've read books based solely on the cover before and it never went well for me.

[Rebecca]

Jackie wrote: "That's a pretty brave thing to do. lol. I'm a big cover whore, but I read the blurb to make sure it at least sounds interesting. I've read books based solely on the cover before and it never went well for me. "

Oh I have also! I picked and HATED it.

Sometimes I do read the back-cover if there is a strange cover that doesn't give any clues. But, when I pick from the NYT bestseller wall I have had pretty good luck getting a good book. I now have a shelf full of airport picks.

[Yangsze]

Rebecca wrote: "Jackie wrote: "That's a pretty brave thing to do. lol. I'm a big cover whore, but I read the blurb to make sure it at least sounds interesting. I've read books based solely on the cover before and ..."

Yes, blurb + cover is a pretty potent combination! I also pick books from mentions on NPR, but those are far fewer. I think I'm addicted to reading -- have you ever experienced a panicky feeling of not having enough books to read? I have, particularly on a long flight or trip! Pre-Kindle days, I used to carry a few library books in hand luggage whenever I flew home to Malaysia.

[Jackie]

Yangsze wrote: " I think I'm addicted to reading -- have you ever experienced a panicky feeling of not having enough books to read? I have, particularly on a long flight or trip! Pre-Kindle days, I used to carry a few library books in hand luggage whenever I flew home to Malaysia. "

Yes! Before my nook I would agonize more about what reading material I was going to bring on a trip than my wardrobe. I always ended up having to take books out because my bag would be too heavy.

That is the reason why I prefer reading on my nook. No matter where I go my library comes with me. I take great comfort in that, especially when traveling.

[C.P.]

Rebecca wrote: "It's so hard to explain what draws me to certain cover art. Just something that stands out, not a plain cover or like a simple/overused theme (garden, landscape, house etc.)."

Yangsze's cover is beautiful, by the way. Yangsze, I very much look forward to reading your book. Do you live in Malaysia, or in the US?

[Rebecca]

C.P. wrote: "Yangsze's cover is beautiful, by the way. Yangsze, I very much look forward to reading your book. Do you live in Malaysia, or in the US? "

I just looked it up! Yes yes I agree! That is a cover that definitely draws me to the book.

[Rebecca]

jackie wrote: "That is the reason why I prefer reading on my nook. No matter where I go my library comes with me. I take great comfort in that, especially when traveling. "

I completely agree! That's one of the main reasons why I decided to get an eReader. Also I do a lot of reading on my commute to work and it is the worst when I finish a book and don't have anything else to read. (Which is why I also have the Nook app on my phone!)

[Miss Melly]

Sarah (Loudog) Louise wrote: "alright people, it's reached an all time low...I've started throwing plastic darts at my bookselves. Yes, that is how I've recently been picking books....Plastic darts. There are just TOO many that..."

Oh that's too funny :)

[Miss Melly]

I choose my next book in lots of ways. I look at Listopia a lot. I look at discussions here and in Book Addicts. Then I have a quick look at the reviews, download a sample, and it it grabs me, I buy it from amazon. If it doesn't grab me, back to square one.
Sometimes it takes me four weeks to find a book to read!

[Yangsze]

Jackie wrote: "Yes! Before my nook I would agonize more about what reading material I was going to bring on a trip than my wardrobe. I always ended up having to take books out because my bag would be too heavy...."

I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one who's bereft without reading material :) There have been times when I've been driven to read cereal boxes, advertising flyers, and real estate supplements that other people have left behind in cafes, airports, train stations...

And e-readers are indeed a blessing -- the best thing is knowing that in addition to the new books waiting to be read, there are also previously read ones if you get desperate!

[JoLene, Mistress of the Challenge]

Jackie wrote: "Yangsze wrote: " I think I'm addicted to reading -- have you ever experienced a panicky feeling of not having enough books to read? I have, particularly on a long flight or trip! Pre-Kindle days, I..."

OMG,YES!!!! About 15 years ago, I got a chance to move to France for work....this was before eReaders and in the very early days of Amazon. I stockpiled a lot of books, including a lot of the classics. Every trip back to US and half my luggage would be books. I would also do huge Amazon orders and have them shipped over on a boat so it would be like Christmas when the package arrived. Unfortunately, I have kept the hoarding ways and we have books in every room in our house!!!

[Yangsze]

Rebecca wrote: "C.P. wrote: "Yangsze's cover is beautiful, by the way. Yangsze, I very much look forward to reading your book. Do you live in Malaysia, or in the US? "

I just looked it up! Yes yes I agree! That..."

Thanks so much C.P. and Rebecca! That is so kind of you and I'm very happy that you like it :) I'm very grateful to the art director at William Morrow/HarperCollins, who did a wonderful job.

btw, I live in the US but go back to Malaysia every year to visit my family. And it is a looong flight.