How do you decide what to read next?

[Sarah]

I always have a hard time picking what book to read next. Books that I'm committed to read for book group or blogging take precedent over anything else. Other than that I have a shit ton of unread books and I want to read them all so it's really hard and sometimes time consuming to pick one. I don't have a strategy for deciding, I just tend to end up picking one. I'm actually in between books right now and can't decide on a book.

[Jen]

Lori, I've also been having that same problem! Right now I have four books on my nightstand and I've read a chapter or two in each but for whatever reason haven't picked them back up yet. I really wish I wouldn't do it!

[Stacey]

I have a list of books to read, and I'll pick one from the list, but I do go by mood. If I just finished a sad book, I pick something happy and light. Or I just pick whichever book I feel like reading. Sometimes I get caught up with "well I've been meaning to read this for AGES, I really should get to it..." and then I can only get a few chapters in and I'm bored and want to switch books. And then I remember that I'm reading because I want to, because it's my chosen form of entertainment in the evening, so I read whatever I want. Even if it's a book I have already read a million times. Also, I've learned to give myself permission to put a book down if I'm bored for the same reason - I'm reading because I want to, not because I have to. I had 4.5 years of "you have to read this", so now it's time to do what I want!

[Lindsey]

I have trouble choosing also! But since I'm at school, I only have about ten books with me at a time, so I'm pretty limited in my selection. It forces me to read these before I can go home and get new ones.

[Kirsten]

I read books in order of priority. If I need to read for school, obviously that comes first, then library books, particularly if they're popular, then books I'm dying to read that I've bought, then lastly other books I have around. I tend to take those kinds of books camping or with me during summers, so if they get damaged, I'm not too sad.

[Tami]

Sort of a random thing, and it sort of fits this thread......

Do any of you read the first chapter or sections or whatever before you decide to buy a book? I see them all over, mostly online like on Amazon. Even here on Goodreads Giveaways, there is sometimes threads that say to read the first chapter click here. I have never done this, but was wondering if it makes or breaks the book for you?

[Lori]

Tami, I'll read the sample of a book (usually on my nook) if I'm on the fence about it. For me, it's helpful. I get a feel for the book for free before I blow my money on it.

[Adam]

I have sort of a weird system that I use. I like to read both fiction and non-fiction books. And I've noticed I don't really like reading a specific type for a long time one after another. So what I try to do is switch off between the two. This way I'm always reading both types as I go along.

For my fiction books I tend to read a lot of series. So a lot of times the "next" book is chosen for me. Even if things are set in a specific world with no order, I read them in the order of publication. I don't know why, I just feel like that's what I should do : P. So after I finish reading one book and there's a 2nd already printed I just order the 2nd book and so on. So I always own at least the next book to read in a series if I am in the mood to read something from that setting.

As for non-fiction, that's entirely based on mood.

[Max]

Tami wrote: "Sort of a random thing, and it sort of fits this thread......

Do any of you read the first chapter or sections or whatever before you decide to buy a book? I see them all over, mostly online lik..."

I don't read chapters or samples - I have a much shorter, simpler method. Before buying a book, I turn to page 70 and read it. If I like it, I buy it. If I hate it, I don't. If I'm still not sure, I keep reading for a little while.

The way I see it, page 70 is a good place to see if I'll like a book, since it's far enough into the action that all of the boring introductions are done with, but not so far that anything is ruined for me by skipping ahead in the book. Unless, of course, the book is only 100 pages or so. Then I just read a bit of the beginning.

[Kirsten]

If it's a non-fiction book, I like to read the outline and see what it's about, I don't always trust cover descriptions. Also, I like to see a book in person before I buy or check it out from the library, I like to page through them first :)

[Tami]

I just finished a book where the main character talked about turning into the middle of a book and reading a bit to see if she is interested. She mentioned her mother reads the end to see if it is worth while, and her best friend the beginning. It was funny it was in the book because we were discussing this here. :)

[BurgendyA]

I usally pick out the books that I plan on reading next randomly & according by my shift of moods. I sometimes wish that I could read my reading list in order but there's always something braking my from that track. But I eventually get to them all. =)~

[Akshat]

i simply browse through a list of titles... a title that catches my attention becomes my next read. I never keep a list of books to read..