Poll: What is your #1 method of ebook discovery

Smashwords · 08-05-2016, 02:33 PM

Hi all. Five years ago I posted a poll here on Mobileread asking everyone for their #1 favorite method of book discovery.

I think it would be fun to redo the same poll today to see how things have changed. I retained all the original questions then added a few new ones.

Most of us use multiple methods of discovery, but if you could only choose one that you rely upon most, what would be the #1 most important to you?

Please read all the options before you pick your #1.

Once you answer, feel free to elaborate in the comments. If you choose "other", then name it in the comments.

After you complete the poll, if you're curious how fellow Mobilereaders answered these questions five years ago, check out the original poll here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=150381

GlenBarrington · 08-05-2016, 02:52 PM

Usually, I read about it on one of the Mobileread.com forums, but I also like to look for new authors on Kindle Unlimited.

Cosimo · 08-05-2016, 03:09 PM

I look at all new releases from publishers / genres I like.

4691mls · 08-05-2016, 03:24 PM

There are a few authors I like and keep an eye out for new books from them. As far as totally new-to-me authors or books, I usually find those by browsing the Overdrive library (didn't see library as a poll option). I will look through available books in my preferred genre, or browse new listings to see if something catches my eye.

If I'm not sure if I'm interested in a particular book, I will look at online reviews at Goodreads to help me decide.

theducks · 08-05-2016, 03:28 PM

The poll did not include where I find those Covers.

Mainly Amazon (recommends scroll bars) , but also Baen, Tor

Apache · 08-05-2016, 04:15 PM

I get a lot of my recommendations right here at mobilereads.
Apache

Ravensknight · 08-05-2016, 04:16 PM

My acquaintances at Booklikes.

John K · 08-05-2016, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4691mls

There are a few authors I like and keep an eye out for new books from them. As far as totally new-to-me authors or books, I usually find those by browsing the Overdrive library (didn't see library as a poll option). I will look through available books in my preferred genre, or browse new listings to see if something catches my eye.

If I'm not sure if I'm interested in a particular book, I will look at online reviews at Goodreads to help me decide.

This ^^^ on all counts. I also pay attention to Mobileread recommendations.

BookCat · 08-05-2016, 04:43 PM

Although I chose: "I read free ebooks, and if I like the author I buy their other titles", I rarely do buy their other titles. I go onto Amazon, search for free kindle books and download any which tickle my fancy; after reading something I particularly like I'll check to see if the author has written anything else but will only buy it if it's under £1.
My staple reading material tends to be in the public domain: I read lots of classics. Often I'll go onto manybooks or girliebooks; with the former, I'll take a look at them under genre then download any I fancy from the MR library; girliebooks has such nice blurb about the free books they offer that they make everything tempting, yet again, I'll then download the actual ebook from the MR library.
Sometimes I browse the 'recommended reading' part of the MR forum and even place calls for suggestions of a particular style of book I'm interested in.
No one method dominates, but for discovery of new authors, I'll search the Amazon freebies.

Krazykiwi · 08-05-2016, 05:32 PM

None of the poll options really get me to buy books. What does is multiple positive reviews (NOT ratings) from my carefully curated list of similar readers on a couple of book sites.

They're not all friends (I don't know nor have I ever interacted with most of them), so it's not really that option. We rarely trade recommendations directly, outside the reviews, so it's not really that. And I generally don't much care what the general community reviews have to say (although I do read them sometimes, often on the lookout for people who I can add to my followed list.)

These days, sales pitches and bestseller lists have become so ubiquitous that if I even notice them they tend to put me off.

Xenophon · 08-05-2016, 07:49 PM

By number of books, the answer for me is simple: Baen's Webscriptions. I own the complete set. And that will continue unless and until my tastes and their publications diverge sufficiently to render them a bad purchase for me. This is, of course, skewed by the fact that each month's Webscription bundle is a heck of a deal in terms of cost per book.

By $ value of books, I'm not actually certain. Probably a combination of recommendations from my sister (for fiction), and references on a wide variety of blogs (for non-fiction). But this is skewed by the fact that the typical non-fiction book I buy is 5x-8x more expensive per book than the Webscriptions price I mention above.

SteveEisenberg · 08-05-2016, 08:10 PM

I voted:

Quote:

Reviews/recommendations from traditional media (newpapers, television, magazines)

However, I enough of an old curmudgeon not to see television as traditional!

I usually want to read the whole review first, but two titles on this list are going right to my TBR:

9 Thrillers (One True) That Times Editors Think You Should Read This Summer

Atunah · 08-05-2016, 08:53 PM

Hmm, I have been finding a lot of books recently especially via goodreads. I don't see a option for goodreads/booklikes. The reader social sites so to speak.

Its because those recommendations are based on what I like and what others like, not what others bought. I don't care what others bought, like they list on amazon, I want to know what else they liked.

Pretty equally though its other readers. I suppose in a way goodreads is kind of like recs from other readers, but I am also getting a lot from their recommendation engine. Ever since they made a new fancy home page on my kindles for it, they have been pretty spot on.

I'll have to think about it.

cromag · 08-05-2016, 10:15 PM

I chose "Other." For the past few years my primary method of discovering new ebooks has been here at Mobilereads. Once I see a book mentioned in the Bargain or Recommendation threads I check it out.

At this point, another survey option comes into play -- if the book is free I'm much more likely to download it. If I like it I'm very likely to buy more by that author if the other books are reasonably priced. If the first book in a series is free and the others are up to $2.99 I'm likely to buy. If the others are 3.99 to 4.99, I have to really like the first one. If they're more than 4.99 each I'm very unlikely to buy them.

ekbell · 08-05-2016, 11:52 PM

How I found the last 20 books I've acquired:

Web search- 2 (canterbury tales with modern spelling and a replacement for a cookbook my kids lost)

Publisher search on Amazon - 1 (checked out the $0.99 Albion press books)

Publisher emails- 4 (three were free books of the month)

Mobileread Deals & Freebies forum - 7

Author mailing list - 1

Followed series - 1

Browsing PD site - 1

Bookbub and similar - 3

View Poll Results: What is your #1 method of ebook discovery?
I browse book covers, and if it grabs me I investigate further	6	5.56%
I browse paper books at brick and mortar bookstores, then search for the ebook online	3	2.78%
Recommendations from fellow readers on online forums, blogs, message boards	24	22.22%
I look first for my favorite authors	26	24.07%
Facebook	0	0%
Twitter	0	0%
Recommendations from Podcasts	0	0%
Personal friend/family member recommends it to me	3	2.78%
Bestseller lists for my favorite genres/topics	4	3.70%
Retailer recommendations (incl "people who bought this bought that")	3	2.78%
Reviews/recommendations from traditional media (newpapers, television, magazines)	3	2.78%
I read free ebooks, and if I like the author I buy their other titles	6	5.56%
I'll sample anything, and if it grabs me I'll download/buy it	1	0.93%
I browse randomly then look at reviews	5	4.63%
Bookbub or similar curated email alert services	5	4.63%
Other (please elaborate in comments!)	19	17.59%
Voters: 108. You may not vote on this poll

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08-05-2016, 02:33 PM	#1
Smashwords Connoisseur Posts: 64 Karma: 4999999 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Gatos, CA Device: iPhone	Poll: What is your #1 method of ebook discovery Hi all. Five years ago I posted a poll here on Mobileread asking everyone for their #1 favorite method of book discovery. I think it would be fun to redo the same poll today to see how things have changed. I retained all the original questions then added a few new ones. Most of us use multiple methods of discovery, but if you could only choose one that you rely upon most, what would be the #1 most important to you? Please read all the options before you pick your #1. Once you answer, feel free to elaborate in the comments. If you choose "other", then name it in the comments. After you complete the poll, if you're curious how fellow Mobilereaders answered these questions five years ago, check out the original poll here: https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=150381 Last edited by Smashwords; 08-05-2016 at 02:53 PM. Reason: updated with additional guidance and link to original poll

08-05-2016, 02:52 PM	#2
GlenBarrington Cheese Whiz Posts: 1,986 Karma: 11677147 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Springfield, Illinois Device: Kindle PW, Samsung Tab A 10.1(2019), Pixel 6a.	Usually, I read about it on one of the Mobileread.com forums, but I also like to look for new authors on Kindle Unlimited.

08-05-2016, 03:09 PM	#3
Cosimo Groupie Posts: 160 Karma: 3337854 Join Date: Jun 2014 Device: Kobo Glo HD	I look at all new releases from publishers / genres I like.

08-05-2016, 03:24 PM	#4
4691mls Wizard Posts: 2,776 Karma: 30081762 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: US Device: ALL DEVICES ARE STOCK: Kobo Clara, Tolino Shine 2, Sony PRS-T3, T1	There are a few authors I like and keep an eye out for new books from them. As far as totally new-to-me authors or books, I usually find those by browsing the Overdrive library (didn't see library as a poll option). I will look through available books in my preferred genre, or browse new listings to see if something catches my eye. If I'm not sure if I'm interested in a particular book, I will look at online reviews at Goodreads to help me decide.

08-05-2016, 03:28 PM	#5
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,267 Karma: 61916422 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	The poll did not include where I find those Covers. Mainly Amazon (recommends scroll bars) , but also Baen, Tor

08-05-2016, 04:15 PM	#6
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,306 Karma: 90981752 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	I get a lot of my recommendations right here at mobilereads. Apache

08-05-2016, 04:16 PM	#7
Ravensknight Serpent Rider Posts: 1,123 Karma: 10219804 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Sony 350; Nook STR; Oasis	My acquaintances at Booklikes.

08-05-2016, 04:43 PM	#9
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Although I chose: "I read free ebooks, and if I like the author I buy their other titles", I rarely do buy their other titles. I go onto Amazon, search for free kindle books and download any which tickle my fancy; after reading something I particularly like I'll check to see if the author has written anything else but will only buy it if it's under £1. My staple reading material tends to be in the public domain: I read lots of classics. Often I'll go onto manybooks or girliebooks; with the former, I'll take a look at them under genre then download any I fancy from the MR library; girliebooks has such nice blurb about the free books they offer that they make everything tempting, yet again, I'll then download the actual ebook from the MR library. Sometimes I browse the 'recommended reading' part of the MR forum and even place calls for suggestions of a particular style of book I'm interested in. No one method dominates, but for discovery of new authors, I'll search the Amazon freebies.

08-05-2016, 05:32 PM	#10
Krazykiwi Zealot Posts: 137 Karma: 2156958 Join Date: Jan 2013 Device: Too many random androids to list	None of the poll options really get me to buy books. What does is multiple positive reviews (NOT ratings) from my carefully curated list of similar readers on a couple of book sites. They're not all friends (I don't know nor have I ever interacted with most of them), so it's not really that option. We rarely trade recommendations directly, outside the reviews, so it's not really that. And I generally don't much care what the general community reviews have to say (although I do read them sometimes, often on the lookout for people who I can add to my followed list.) These days, sales pitches and bestseller lists have become so ubiquitous that if I even notice them they tend to put me off.

08-05-2016, 07:49 PM	#11
Xenophon curmudgeon Posts: 1,487 Karma: 5748190 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Redwood City, CA USA Device: Kobo Aura HD, (ex)nook, (ex)PRS-700, (ex)PRS-500	By number of books, the answer for me is simple: Baen's Webscriptions. I own the complete set. And that will continue unless and until my tastes and their publications diverge sufficiently to render them a bad purchase for me. This is, of course, skewed by the fact that each month's Webscription bundle is a heck of a deal in terms of cost per book. By $ value of books, I'm not actually certain. Probably a combination of recommendations from my sister (for fiction), and references on a wide variety of blogs (for non-fiction). But this is skewed by the fact that the typical non-fiction book I buy is 5x-8x more expensive per book than the Webscriptions price I mention above.

08-05-2016, 08:53 PM	#13
Atunah Wizard Posts: 1,817 Karma: 23400001 Join Date: May 2012 Location: USA Device: K1/K3/BasicK Voyage/Oasis1/Oasis3	Hmm, I have been finding a lot of books recently especially via goodreads. I don't see a option for goodreads/booklikes. The reader social sites so to speak. Its because those recommendations are based on what I like and what others like, not what others bought. I don't care what others bought, like they list on amazon, I want to know what else they liked. Pretty equally though its other readers. I suppose in a way goodreads is kind of like recs from other readers, but I am also getting a lot from their recommendation engine. Ever since they made a new fancy home page on my kindles for it, they have been pretty spot on. I'll have to think about it.

08-05-2016, 10:15 PM	#14
cromag Surfin the alpha waves ~~ Posts: 26,765 Karma: 459765791 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Device: Jetbook Lite & Mini, Nook STR, Kobo, Hanvon N516, Kindle 2, Androids	I chose "Other." For the past few years my primary method of discovering new ebooks has been here at Mobilereads. Once I see a book mentioned in the Bargain or Recommendation threads I check it out. At this point, another survey option comes into play -- if the book is free I'm much more likely to download it. If I like it I'm very likely to buy more by that author if the other books are reasonably priced. If the first book in a series is free and the others are up to $2.99 I'm likely to buy. If the others are 3.99 to 4.99, I have to really like the first one. If they're more than 4.99 each I'm very unlikely to buy them.

08-05-2016, 11:52 PM	#15
ekbell Guru Posts: 628 Karma: 12345678 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Canada Device: none	How I found the last 20 books I've acquired: Web search- 2 (canterbury tales with modern spelling and a replacement for a cookbook my kids lost) Publisher search on Amazon - 1 (checked out the $0.99 Albion press books) Publisher emails- 4 (three were free books of the month) Mobileread Deals & Freebies forum - 7 Author mailing list - 1 Followed series - 1 Browsing PD site - 1 Bookbub and similar - 3