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Rank: Forum Guru
Joined: 7/12/2010
Posts: 1,047
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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?
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Rank: Forum Guru
Joined: 10/14/2011
Posts: 133
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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.
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Rank: Active Ink Slinger
Joined: 1/26/2012
Posts: 13
Location: Hell-House, Mauritius
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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
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Rank: Administration
Moderator
Joined: 2/2/2011
Posts: 2,256
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
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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.”
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Rank: Advanced Wordsmith
Joined: 5/8/2012
Posts: 66
Location: South Africa
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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.
You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you - Ray Bradbury. Find me on Smashwords: www.smashwords.com/profile/view/VanessaFinaughtyHire me as your editor: www.write-way-freelancers.com
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Rank: Rookie Scribe
Joined: 5/15/2012
Posts: 1
Location: Malaysia
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When it comes to finding a good book to read, I usually stick by picking books from the previous authors that I've read. But usually, when I browse around in the bookstore trying to look for something, the books somehow calls to me. Like when I first picked 'The Shadow of the Wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, I've never heard of him. But when i saw the cover and held the book in my hand, i knew i had to get it and just start reading it. I know this sounds corny and crazy, but that's basically how i choose my books 
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Rank: Active Ink Slinger
Joined: 6/12/2012
Posts: 13
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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.
Writing is not our JOB, it's OUR PASSION!
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Rank: Forum Guru
Joined: 8/22/2010
Posts: 297
Location: United Kingdom
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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.
New Poem out The Observer
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Rank: Active Ink Slinger
Joined: 6/10/2014
Posts: 19
Location: United States
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I think it is near impossible not to judge a book by its cover because that cover image gives you a very brief and instance sense of what the book is supposed to be about (usually). The cover art is the bait and the back or inside flap short description is the switch or the juicy hook that catches you and reels you in.
It helps if the book is cheap so you can afford to take more chances on something entirely new. I think once you find that diamond in the rough though you want more from that author and can look for more of their work and even find other books similar to that one.
Overall though id say the best way to find a new book is go to a forum about some of your favorites and ask reader/forum writers if they can suggest more books alike the ones you loved so much :D
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Rank: Active Ink Slinger
Joined: 12/5/2018
Posts: 28
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Usually, I like to pick a first time writer. It's easy when one has access to thousands of books.
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Rank: Forum Facilitator
Joined: 10/13/2010
Posts: 1,569
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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.
The subject who is truly loyal to the Chief Magistrate will neither advise nor submit to arbitrary measures. Junius
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Rank: Forum Facilitator
Joined: 4/23/2014
Posts: 411
Location: Somewhere amongst the trees
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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).
Featured Story:Night of the Wind - (Fantasy) A mysterious traveller, a strange storm, a chaotic night for a small town.Other works:Spooky People - (Poetry) A playful verse for Hallowe'en. On Seeing the Light (Re)born - (Poetry) A reflection on seeing the sun rise while on vacation Voice of Ice - (Horror) A powerful winter storm leads a professor to a disturbing discovery
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