If you're looking for a new book to read, how do you choose which one you're going to read next? Does the cover have much of an influence over your decision? Do you stick with authors you know and love or do you often try writers you've never read before? Which genres appeal to you the most?
I have favourite authors who I religiously buy and read anything by, but I also like to read books I've had recommended to me or heard people talking about. Cover and title are a big influence when I'm browsing; I like to go to second hand and discount book stores and pick up things that look interesting, generally in the sci-fi, fantasy, paranormal genres.
What to read next tends to be more a matter of looking through the vast pile of unread books on my bookshelves.
Although i'd like to say i don't 'judge a book by its cover' the unfortunate truth is that i do! If it doesn't look interesting, i'm not likely to pick it up. But i too stick with my old favourite authors and if a friend recommends something, chances are, i'll check it out. I also read online reviews to find a good read.
If the cover attracts my attention, I would read the résumé at the back and if it intrigues me, I will definitely get it. I have my favorite authors as well and my first choice would be their latest books but again, only I'm drawn to the résumé. If a friend recommends me a book and it fits with the themes I like, I'd definitely read it if they do convince me that it is worth to go for it
Footnotes in a book I'm reading. Prescribed from someone I know, no matter the content. Title that grabs even a cynical mind. On three at the moment. None on a best seller's list.
I do appreciate a good book cover, but it's not what draws me to reading a book. The title is usually what draws me in. I am one of those creatures of habit though, I enter the library and head directly for the authors I know and love, but I do often just browse and I always pick books with an interesting name (bearing in mind that book covers can't really be seen while browsing a crowded bookshelf).
“Many people hear voices when no one is there. Some of them are called mad and are shut up in rooms where they stare at the walls all day. Others are called writers and they do pretty much the same thing.”
I usually go for my favourite authors, but when I read random new authors, I tend to go for the ones where the cover catches my eye. They say 'never judge a book by its cover', but that's exactly what readers do. If the cover is eye-catching, I'll read the back blurb, and if that sounds interesting, I'll read the book.
When choosing a book to read, I’m not into having the ones that does have a good cover or the one that attracts me. I always look into its genre and its author. I always read its synopsis, seeking if that story would interest me and thus I would decide to have my own copy of which.
A lot of times I read my established offers and certain genres... However I will also read a new author or subject if my friends that read tell me they love something/someone at the moment. Since I read so much, I tend towards what I feel at the moment.
I go by the cover like most folks do, and I'll also go by the back and inside summary of the book, if everything captures me attention, it's worth a read to me, if not...Cio babe.
When I was young it was all serendipity. I would browse the stacks, picking and choosing, reading a paragraph here or there. However, at my age I now go to the established favorites. If they do not fulfill their promise I stop reading, and move on. Life is too short to waste on poor writing.
I get a lot because they are free on my kindle. I've found a few treasures and have bought a lot because I liked the author. I have my favourites authors who I'll buy all their books and read them again and again.
Usually, I like to pick a first time writer. It's easy when one has access to thousands of books.
Reviews, recommendations from friends, books podcasts, looking at the books on my book shelf and deciding to reread one of them...
Browsing a bookstore and seeing new titles, reading the blurbs on the back, reading the first few pages, flipping forward to read random pages...
Looking at the featured section at the library, browsing the stacks at the librarry, checking out what is new...
There are so many ways to chose a book, sometimes the choice falls into place, sometimes, not.
Depends. Back in my prime reading and book buying days, I often perused the shelves of libraries and bookshops looking for interesting covers with interesting plot summaries. So a bit of serendipity. However, there was also recommendations from friends, associations between authors (e.g. reading H. P. Lovecraft led me to his friends and successors), and even sometimes reviews (this was pre-Web so they came from magazines I read and that sort of thing). And, of course, certain authors were a must.
These days, I am kind of sea where reading is concerned. I'm trying to use the same methods but I'm having a hard time latching on to anything that "grabs" me and when I do, it's as likely to be an old favorite as a new discovery (e.g. on my cruise in December, I brought like three new novels but ended up on my umpteenth re-read of Dracula instead).
A book has to grab me and not let go. There are too many books to be read than to be bored in the first couple of chapters.
I usually get interested in something in history, or in personal improvement, etc. Then I find out what book(s) are considered the "best" in that area by those who live and work in that area. Finally, I find the one best book, and bury myself in it until I just about "wear it."
