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?

Garp · 12-09-2008, 11:40

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.

Wryel · 12-09-2008, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleanbluesky

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.

Jello · 12-09-2008, 12:37

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.

cheets · 12-09-2008, 13:10

Price, just been in HMV and a Biography on De Niro for £3

Tak · 12-09-2008, 17:42

I have so many unread books I should be banned from buying new ones for about a year

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.

Nutcase · 12-09-2008, 18:36

Whatever the various charity shops have that look interesting.

Fayshun · 16-09-2008, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nutcase

Whatever the various charity shops have that look interesting.

I buy books in charity shops based on their covers!

Jhadur · 12-09-2008, 20:40

I walk into our library and pick a book from one of the shelves.

12-09-2008, 11:31	#1
cleanbluesky Abandoned Ship Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 492	How do you choose your next book? There is a sheer wealth of decent books out there - how do you choose your next one?

12-09-2008, 11:40	#2
Garp Preparing more tumbleweed Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hawaii Posts: 6,038	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. __________________ Mal: Define "interesting"? Wash: "Oh, God, oh, God, we're all gonna die"?

12-09-2008, 12:42	#5
semi-pro waster Provider of sensible advice about homosexuals Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London Posts: 2,615	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. __________________ "Your friend is the man that knows all about you, and still likes you." - Elbert Hubbard

12-09-2008, 17:42	#7
Tak L'Oréal Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 9,977	I have so many unread books I should be banned from buying new ones for about a year 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. __________________ The look on your face when a toddler rips out your heart and shows it to you? Priceless.... For everything else, there's FWOOSH!

12-09-2008, 20:40	#10
Jhadur Peter Pan Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lost Inside My Head Posts: 1,068	I walk into our library and pick a book from one of the shelves. __________________ "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it."

12-09-2008, 12:37	#4
Jello Nice weak cup of Earl Grey Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 33	Family and friend recommendations entirely. Although I've worked my way through some Shakespeare out of my own curiosity.

12-09-2008, 13:10	#6
cheets Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 442	Price, just been in HMV and a Biography on De Niro for £3

12-09-2008, 18:36	#8
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	Whatever the various charity shops have that look interesting.