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When deciding on fiction, I look for two things (and if I can get both of them in one book, yowser, that book is for me!):
1. Topics I am interested in (especially if I spend time reading lots of non-fiction on the subject), and
2. An unusual angle, premise, structure or point of view. If I read a synopsis and am intrigued, I will usually give it a try, even if it doesn't get wonderful reviews.
If a book does not meet at least one of the above criteria, I will pass on it unless it gets 4+ stars on Goodreads, with at least 250 ratings. Using this method, I have found some gems--books I never would have picked up on my own but which have turned out to be fascinating and truly enjoyable. (I have also ended up with some pretty horrible dreck with this method, too, but mostly it's been good.)
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