How do you find the books worth reading?

[marcsec]

Just to add, I always take a minute to check out the most helpful negative review for a book on Amazon. If a book has no negative reviews or unrelentingly gushy 5* reviews then it's probably not worth the time.

[janrey]

This is how I do it

1. I have favorite authors (but even these authors can sometimes put out books i'm not happy with when they stray from their genre)

2. Amazon freebees and cheep books plus I have prime so once a month I choose between one of 4 books for free and one a month to rent.

3. Covers, yes covers. If a cover has a photo type picture of a guy in barely nothing and a woman's breasts I know for sure it's not the book for me. Nice professionally done covers, even on self published, impress me.

4. Recommendations of favorite authors

5. Goodreads recommendations based on what I've read

6. Genre. I get into fiction of WWII and have read a number of very good books.




I have hated only one book and that was the Book Thief which was on the NYTimes best seller list so basically the NYTimes best seller list isn't my first choice for finding books I like. Surprisingly some of the best books were free or nearly so.

For an example on my favorite authors two are Lisa See and T. Greenwood. Both put out books I absolutely love. I friend them on Goodreads and/or facebook and look at their recommendations.

[Gronk]

Originally Posted by janrey

I have hated only one book and that was the Book Thief which was on the NYTimes best seller list so basically the NYTimes best seller list isn't my first choice for finding books I like. Surprisingly some of the best books were free or nearly so.

I agree with you on The Book Thief and the NYTimes best seller list.

[benham]

I listen to recommendations from reader forums and then go to Fantastic Fiction for more information to see if I might like to read the author.

[NickyWithNook]

Recommendations from friends and family, and Goodreads, and the "You might enjoy" ads from Amazon and B&N. Ads in general I guess. I'm not a fan of ads being all over, but I do read the ones for books, and if they sound good I'm often drawn to buy them.

[Hampshire Nanny]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

I would say looking at the best-seller lists is probably the worst method of finding books. You might find some good books, but you'll find a lot of just marketing schlock.

I'm not influenced by best sellers. And, I'm usually not attracted to "literary" novels. That means I don't pay a lot of attention to reviews.

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

I have two loves. Reading books and finding books to read. Finding books to read is almost more fun sometimes.

I agree!

Originally Posted by benham

I listen to recommendations from reader forums and then go to Fantastic Fiction for more information to see if I might like to read the author.

Yep, that too.

I like LONG books. (Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, anyone?) Series satisfy that desire to spend more time with characters that I have come to enjoy. Therefore I also tend to read mostly genre fiction. When I discover an author that I like, I tend to read as many of their books as I can get. In 2014, I have goals of reading all the way through several series that I had previously started. I've completed 13 series this year -- or at least I've read all the books available in the series. I suspect some of the authors will publish more books in these series in the next 18 months. Right now I'm working on the Aunt Dimity mystery series by Nancy Atherton, completing 17 of 19 books and the Phryne Fisher mysteries by Kerry Greenwood, completing 16 of 20.

[jayajha]

For me there are multiple routes to a book that it is my destiny to read

• If it is of quick-read category, like romance, then I will read the backcover text (or description, if I am online) to see if the setting is something I would enjoy.

• If it is literary fiction, then usually recommendations or award nominations take me to the book. I'd still read about the book before picking it up so ensure that I would like it.

• Non-fiction reading typically starts with a need to read. So, at one point of time I felt interested in reading about philosophy. Internet search and Amazon reviews led me to Story of Philosophy by Will Durant, which turned out to be a very good choice. If I need to delve deeper into a subject about which I have read, I tend to look up Amazon's recommendations. I also read reviews of a book I have just finished, because reviewers often give great suggestions for alternate, or further readings. That's how from Story of Philosophy, I reached to A History of Western Philosophy by Bertrand Russell.

• I am probably not a visual person. I rarely pick up a book based on cover in a bookstore. Titles do play a role for me though.

• Stumbling across reviews, or book names while on Internet also plays a role in picking up a book for me.

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by jayajha

• I am probably not a visual person. I rarely pick up a book based on cover in a bookstore. Titles do play a role for me though.

I find that as I am looking through the daily lists of free books for the Kindle I won't choose a book based on its cover, but I will reject a book based on the cover. I don't care about covers at all if it is a book I am seeking out based on other input like recommendations here or an author I have read and liked before, but for the free ones if the cover turns me off at all, I won't even read the description. I needed a way to slow down my acquisition of books and this is what ended up working for me.

[khazaddum]

browse some threads sugaring the author. I find discussions (arguments) between readers more enlightening than mere reviews on Goodyear or Amazon.

Bestselling rank? Please, no. So many factors can contribute to that and some of those factors can almost exclude quality sometimes.

Usually I like the use of language to be fluid and rich, therefore I head over to YouTube and look for an interview with the author. If the fellow uses lots of "umm" "err" "like" When describing his own work, then that may (not always though) hint that his use of language will not be of my liking. Personal Opinion

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by khazaddum

browse some threads sugaring the author. I find discussions (arguments) between readers more enlightening than mere reviews on Goodyear or Amazon.

Do you read many books about auto tires?