How do you pick your books?

United States
April 6, 2010 5:43pm CST
Hey readers! How do you pick the books you want to read? Friend recommendations? The big bestseller? Or do you just pick up random books that peak your interests? For me, it's a bit of all three. I'll read books that my friends recommend and I'll read books that are really popular just to see what the deal is. Most of the time though, I just pick up whatever peaks my interest. How about you?
1 person likes this
12 responses
@Vikkyd (198)
• Finland
6 Apr 10
Sometimes I just pick something from an author I know. But when I want something new, I start with the genre. Then I go online and search for some good sounding books from that genre. If the book I pick is good, I might just read the rest of the author's material. That way I sometimes get tens of books to read at once :D
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• Hong Kong
7 Apr 10
Hi Vikkyd So you stick to series of same authors, it is the easiest way to pick books.
@Vikkyd (198)
• Finland
8 Apr 10
Yeah :) If I run out of books from that author I try to find a new author. I read a lot of fantasy books so there are lots of series' available, usually there's at least a trilogy, it's really rare to have a completely independent fantasy book :)
@careasl (257)
• United States
6 Apr 10
I pick mostly what peaks my intrest as well. I also pick out books according to my friends suggestions.
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• Philippines
9 Apr 10
Picking a book according to friends' suggestion? Well, it depends. If a friend share the same passion and interest with me, then I'll check it out. If not, sorry, I won't. I am more interested in business, and if a friend is fond of reading "the fantasy about Harry Potter and the Seven Witch", then it's out of my range. I am more interested in books containing readily applied principles on business, and are written by businessmen by profession. I don't read books that are written by scholars like ancient Greeks who used to sit around for days and debate how many teeth a horse has, thought they could figure it out by just sitting there, instead of checking the horse. I like authors "who do what they preach". :)
@marty3888 (2355)
• Acme, Michigan
6 Apr 10
Well, I don't buy books the way I used to, but many times I would go to the best sellers or the recently published, look at the title and look a the back to see what it's about. And by author, for example, stephen King. And friends too. A friend of mine, another King fan told me about another author, Dean Koonts. She told me he's just as good as Stephen King. So now I read his books. Probably would not have without her recomondation. Then my girlfriend introduced me to James Patterson, although I usually justy read the books once she's done with them.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
6 Apr 10
My local library has a website which is divided into many different categories, and it is pretty easy to find some books that I am interested in. I usually have a look at my favourite categories to see if there are any new books that sound interesting. There is a small describtion or summary so I am able to read a little bit about the books before I decide if I am interested in them or not. Last time I picked a category called short stories from the 90's and there are hundreds of pages, so I never go through them all. I also use a Danish site called "Litteratursiden" (it means a site about literature) On that site librarians from around the country write about the books that they like. Other users are also able to create lists of books that they want to recommend, and I have found many interesting books that way.
1 person likes this
@nijolechu (1842)
• Canada
6 Apr 10
Ya, its a bit of all three for me too. I am not really good at picking books for myself to read. So I just browse those by reading the titles and the backs of the books. That way if I find them interesting then I will read them.
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@olisaur (1922)
• United States
6 Apr 10
I think I use a combination of the three, too. I love going to my local library and just browsing sometimes, as well as seeing the best sellers at the books stores and looking up what my favorite authors recommend.
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@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
6 Apr 10
i tend to not read a whole lot of fiction but i do like to read classic fiction such as James Joyce, Thorton Wilder, that sort. But as for my interests, they include crafts like crocheting, jewelry making and any type of paper crafts. i also love history and read a lot of that too. what i do is check out the library's website and see what looks good and what i havent taken a look at recently.
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• Philippines
8 Apr 10
of course as time goes by, you learn which books you like and those that dont fit your tastes. i learned that i love historical fiction .. but i also have a knack for discovering why a certain book wins an award. so i buy those too.. i also red from the internet about reviews about a certain book, if i become intrigued then i choose to buy that boo as well. im really afraid to just pick a book i havent heard of bec its a waste of money most of the time. anyway, as time passes, ive learned which books and authors matter so there. have a nice day :)
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
7 Apr 10
Hi, It is the same for me.I sometimes buy books on recommendation and bestsellers from those authors that i have already read and liked.I also like to go to second hand book stalls and pick up books at random, many a times I have found some fabulous books that I had never heard about...I buy books regularly and I love to read.I read at least a few pages every day...all the best
@HelloMickey (1655)
• Hong Kong
7 Apr 10
Hello allyoftherain I pick the book mostly claimed it is the best seller, or is recommended by celebrities.
@McG1985 (75)
• United States
7 Apr 10
I tend to go for books that are popular at the time. Especially books in a series. Or on other occasions I'll pick books to suit my current reading mood.
@razim17 (194)
• Malaysia
7 Apr 10
For me id love to read about business and making money,but all the famous ones and i also listen to others feedback such as my friends and family.Basically i would choose the book once im in the bookstore.Its a bit random but i like it that way.