View Full Version : How do you choose your next book?
cleanbluesky
12-09-2008, 11:31
There is a sheer wealth of decent books out there - how do you choose your next one?
I'm reading techie books at the moment primarily, so it's kinda been based on need more. Otherwise I'm more often re-reading books I've already got.
Amazon's recommendation system is very good, as it should be because its good for their business too. As I'd read and enjoyed Black Magician trilogy it recommended the Pellinor series of books by Alison Croggon, which was an enjoyable series too. Not quite as good as the Black Magician, but pretty good still.
There is a sheer wealth of decent books out there - how do you choose your next one?
Usually a recommendation from someone else, even if I read all the time I wouldn't even scratch the surface.
Family and friend recommendations entirely. Although I've worked my way through some Shakespeare out of my own curiosity.
semi-pro waster
12-09-2008, 12:42
I've got a stack of books to read (I was given somewhere close to a hundred by one of my dads mates) so I'll usually just pick one almost at random from that and then have a read of the back cover/introduction to see if I'm interested.
Before that I'd usually go on personal recommendation or failing that having a look through newspaper reviews and seeing if the subject matter interested me. Occasionally though I still just head into a bookshop and wander about until I find something that looks like it might be worth reading, often if I've read the author before and enjoyed it then I'm more likely to pick it up.
Price, just been in HMV and a Biography on De Niro for £3 :D
I have so many unread books I should be banned from buying new ones for about a year :o It usually depends what sort of mood I'm in as to the genre I pick and if I'm completely at a loss I resort back to old faves or ask friends what they've been reading.
Whatever the various charity shops have that look interesting.
I walk into our library and pick a book from one of the shelves.
Depends what interests me at the time of looking, and almost everything interests me......which makes my book collection rather eclectic :D
Whatever takes my fancy on the bookshelf tbh- my gf is a librarian and is generally well-read and whilst there's a bit of commonality in our taste in books I tend to go more for sci-fi/ fantasy/ popular science books and she goes for standard fiction. She's also pretty good at recommending books that I wouldn't otherwise read :)
If it isn't a new book from an author i have been waiting for or a book to add to a current authors books, then recommendations, reviews or reading short sections tht sometimes appear help to choose a new book to go for.
SCM
Whatever the various charity shops have that look interesting.
I buy books in charity shops based on their covers!
I don't know how I choose, but I know I do it very badly. I haven't finished the last 4 novels I have started. Annoying, 'cos then I feel like it's a waste of time ever starting it!
I normally go on recommendations. But there are times when I'm in a supermarket and pick up random as they look like they could be alright. Found some good books that way and some really terrible books also.
Funny this has posted as I'm trying to find some new books as I've nearly finished book 11 of The Wheel Of Time.
Pumpkinstew
21-09-2008, 21:30
I often have unread ones that are on the shelf and if none of those take my fancy there are dozens on my partners shelf I haven't read (and dozens I have no intention of reading ;))
Pumpkinstew
21-09-2008, 21:34
Funny this has posted as I'm trying to find some new books as I've nearly finished book 11 of The Wheel Of Time.
Aren't there about 18 of those though:p
I always reccommend Ghostwritten by David Mitchell. The only book I've finished. Put down. Stared at. Thought about for a few minutes. Then picked up and started from the beginning again.
Snuggle Ferret
22-09-2008, 16:39
What Nutcase said.
What is cheapest (ie., 3 for £5 in Banana Bookshop)
Whatever I can borrow.
Anything historical.
Aren't there about 18 of those though:p
I always reccommend Ghostwritten by David Mitchell. The only book I've finished. Put down. Stared at. Thought about for a few minutes. Then picked up and started from the beginning again.
11 currently out, 12th is being written. Not by Robert Jordan since he passed away :( luckily he left a lot of notes before he died so the final book can be written.
Kell_ee001
22-09-2008, 22:20
After having to get rid of pretty much all my books I now get them from the library. I always have a quick read of the back and from either the crime or fantasy sections. I also only get paperbacks and check the weight because I always read lying in bed :o
NokkonWud
23-09-2008, 12:11
The Cover.
Seriously. I'm that shallow. Then when I finally find an author I like, I genuinely stick to them.
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