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Musing Mondays (Aug. 18)

August 19, 2008 by Darlene

MizB over at Should Be Reading asks us this week about how we go about choosing our books. The question is:

**How do you choose the books you read? Do you like the cover at art on a book? Do you rely on reviews? Do you let friends and/or family recommend books to you? How about books you find on other people’s blogs? Do you read the blurb/description?

I choose my books in so many ways. The cover is a big one for me. When I’m in the bookstore I walk the aisles looking at the covers. When I see one I like I grab it and automatically read the back and inside covers. This most of the time can decide a book purchase for me. I love beautiful covers although this does not always mean a good book-it’s still the initial attraction.

I don’t rely on reviews but I do pay close attention to them. I like blogger reviews in that a person tells you whether or not they liked it and their reasons for that decision. A lot of the time reading the blurb or reading about a book on an online store only tells you the good things about the book-they can almost make any book sound good. A review though gives you that little bit more. However, I don’t let it stop me from reading something I wanted to in the first place. An example is Breaking Dawn. I’ve heard a few bad reviews of it but that doesn’t dampen my spirit in wanting to read it.

I take my friend’s recommendations quite seriously because normally our reading interests are quite the same. So if they really loved a book, odds are I might too and I’ll give it a go.

So, how about you? How do you all go about choosing a good book to read…Join in the fun and let me know.

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Comments

  1. Trish says

    August 19, 2008 at 2:12 am

    Those silly challenges I keep joining. I have random random books on my shelf that I pick from if they seem to fit a challenge. Other than that the books I hear about are all from blogging (I’ve said that here before). I’ve found some great books through blogging!

  2. Dar says

    August 19, 2008 at 2:21 am

    lol Trish-you do have a lot of challenges going on. I don’t know how you keep up.

  3. Mary says

    August 19, 2008 at 10:55 am

    I’m getting most of my titles from blog reviews these days. I find it to be a much more reliable way to end up with a book I’ll enjoy. If I’m in a store I’ll do what you do, Dar. These days, though, I try to do the research before I go and limit myself to what’s on the list. Otherwise I’m like a kid in a candy store, lol.

  4. Joy says

    August 19, 2008 at 2:47 pm

    I enjoyed reading this.

    I get a lot of recommendations and/or introductions to books from Amazon, B&N, and blogging. Most of my friends use me as their filter, but on occasion I am passed a winner from them.

    The topic of the book draws me in versus a cover. If the covers were my draw, I'd be broke. I'd want them all! 🙂 I have a lot of books, but usually they are given as gifts. I am a strong library patron. I like to purchase my favorites, though.

  5. wendy says

    August 19, 2008 at 3:40 pm

    I always read reviews. I don’t always pick a book based on that, but I always read them. I do look at the cover. I mainly choose based on the theme – Historical fiction, Chick lit, etc. and I do like certain authors, I always read new books by my favorite authors.

  6. Dar says

    August 19, 2008 at 5:09 pm

    Mary, I totally agree. A bookstore is like a candystore for us book lovers. I try not to go as often now because it is so much more expensive to buy instore compared to online.

    Joy, you read so many books that I know I get a lot of recommendations from you. lol. I use the library quite a bit too but I have been purchasing a lot lately-something I need to put the brakes on.

    Wendy, I’m the same. I don’t miss books by my favorite authors and there are a few of them that I buy their books no matter what.

  7. Toni says

    August 19, 2008 at 10:50 pm

    Eye Candy is one way that gets me..meaning I am a sucker for a good cover. But with the economy and sooo many choices, I then need to have a good synopsis on the back cover on inside flap.

    I rely on recommendations from my friends also. I believe over 50% of the books that I have read in the past year have been recommended to me or through my groups.

    I am a sucker for Classic Literature even if it is challenging, but I find it is more fun to read with another person than to read it alone.

  8. Dar says

    August 20, 2008 at 1:10 am

    Hey Toni, I know you like your Classics. I wish I had a love of it like you do. Sure would make it easier to read. lol.

  9. J. Kaye Oldner says

    August 20, 2008 at 1:29 am

    I feel the same about BREAKING DAWN. I don’t care. I wanna read it. Amen.

  10. Bonnie says

    August 20, 2008 at 2:50 am

    Dar,

    Great question and answers here!
    I’ve enjoyed reading everyones thoughts. I tend to go by reviews, online at book sites like librarything and blogger reviews.
    Sometimes I may find a cover of a book grab my attention but then I’ll research it a bit to see if it’s something that I want to read.

  11. Dar says

    August 20, 2008 at 11:11 pm

    Hey Bonnie, yes it’s fun to see what others do in choosing a book. Seems us book lovers all have the same general ideas. lol.

  12. Shana says

    August 21, 2008 at 2:12 am

    An appealing cover can go a long way toward making me want to read a book, too. But if I’ve heard it’s good, I’ll read it regardless of what I think of the cover.

  13. Dar says

    August 21, 2008 at 10:41 pm

    Shana, I agree. I’ve read plenty of books with not so great covers that were absolutely amazing novels.

  14. Lenore says

    August 22, 2008 at 7:11 pm

    I guess I pick my books pretty much the same way as you. Except lately I’ve been reading a lot of ARCs without really knowing much about them beforehand. I do like variety though, so it introduces me to a lot of books I might not have read otherwise.

  15. Dar says

    August 22, 2008 at 11:18 pm

    Lenore, I agree on the ARC’s. I’ve been lucky enough to pick the one’s I’ve read so far. You’re right though, it’s a great way to start reading things you never would have before.

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