Poll: What is your #1 method of ebook discovery - Page 2

pidgeon92 · 08-05-2016, 10:59 PM

Most of the books I've added to my list recently have been profiled in People magazine, which I read weekly on my iPad.

I'm so far behind in my to-be-read list I'll never catch up before I die. I don't go actively looking for new ebooks/audiobooks anymore.

GeoffR · 08-05-2016, 11:10 PM

Favourite authors is usually my starting point when looking for ebooks now, mainly I am looking to buy ebooks by authors that I first read a book by long ago but whose other works were unavailable from the sources that I used then (mainly the local public library and second-hand bookshops) or that for some other reason I had never followed up on at the time.

Alpha o · 08-06-2016, 07:44 AM

There usually are no reviews for books I want.

"Roving Mars", "Red Rover", "Curiosity".

Sometimes there is an interesting interview on PBS newshour. I simply don't care what's popular and everyone is reading.

Wearever · 08-06-2016, 07:55 AM

I voted " other " because I look at what my favorite authors have coming , and search for new authors in genres I like. Those would come from sites like MR. Bookbub, Amazon.

Phogg · 08-06-2016, 08:11 AM

I have a multi pronged search method.
1. Keyword searches combined with reading user reviews. This has become my primary method of finding new books, because I can combine multiple plot elements and also exclude multiple story elements. It also narrows the field quickly. I have several standard searches saved on my browser.

2. New releases from favorite authors

3. Recommendations from friends.

4. Freebies.

DiapDealer · 08-06-2016, 08:36 AM

Recommendations from fellow online readers plays a big role, too, but I typically browse randomly then look at reviews. I'm a free-range grazer.

Zelandi · 08-06-2016, 09:13 AM

Browsing covers and titles... if it's free and reasonably interesting I'll download it and if I like it I'll buy others from the author. Most likely. (unless it's really expencive..but then I'm not likely to get the freebie either, because I don't want to get hooked on stuff I can't afford. .. unless it's just a trology or something, I can afford 2 book a 10usd if I really like them I guess...oh I wish there were more books from the last series I read..I liked those..I'd pay for those..)

Uhm.. some from friends, reading reviews..well.. other peoples tastes are not always the same as mine. I've had reviews deter me from books I ended up liking, and reviews making me buy books I never bothered to finish. My friends don't have the same taste either..

So..I guess a lot is book covers and freebies, and price. But I'm still fairly new to the e-book world, and I stopped reading altogether about 10 years ago. My taste now is different from what it was then, and I'm still trying to figure it out.

Sydney's Mom · 08-06-2016, 11:00 AM

I picked bestseller lists, but that is only for fiction. For autobiography, memoirs, and other nonfiction, I watch political shows (Hardball, Real Time) and find the books there.

pwalker8 · 08-06-2016, 12:43 PM

I voted my favorite authors, but like most I have a multipronged approach that has changed over the years.

Originally, I would browse the books stores looking in the new books section and occasionally getting recommendations.

Over the years, that morphed into browse the book stores looking in the new books section, keeping an eye out for new books by favored authors.

Once baen started their websubscriptions it became
Buy Websubscriptions every month, browse the book stores looking in the new books section, keeping an eye out for new books by favored authors.

Once various ebook stores opened up it became
Buy Websubscriptions every month, browse the books stores looking in the new books section, keeping an eye out for new books by favored authors. Look to see if any of the books that I wanted to buy in the books store were in the kindle store, if so, buy the ebook, otherwise by the paper book.

About a year after Jim Baen died, I noticed that websubscriptions had stopped becoming a buy every month item.

After the kindle store opened up, I started going to the B&N less often and started browsing both the kindle store and the sony ebook store, sorted by release date.

Eventually, I stopped buying from the sony store and bought mostly from the kindle store. At that time, many of my new purchases were from Amazon recommendations.

As the kindle store became more and more popular and especially after Amazon started the indie self publishing, the new releases because way too painful to browse and I started using sites like author alerts to tell me when various favored authors were coming out with new books. I would also search amazon from a list of favored authors. About that time, I started to go with on line recommendations more and more. I also noticed that Amazon was recommending more and more books that I had zero interest in, but apparently were indie books that Amazon was pushing, thus I started ignoring Amazon recommendations.

What would be my preferred solution - A watch list of my favorite authors that will notify me every time a favored author puts a new book in the ebook store (right now that's 99% Amazon) combined with the ability to browse the ebook store sorted by release date, with a robust filter criteria (i.e. things like only books from a list of publishers, and/or authors on my watch list or books not published by a list). Add in a couple of good review sites that would do best of this months releases in genres that I like. (seems like a no brainer, I wonder why we don't have something like that).

Jean · 08-06-2016, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwalker8

What would be my preferred solution - A watch list of my favorite authors that will notify me every time a favored author puts a new book in the ebook store (right now that's 99% Amazon) combined with the ability to browse the ebook store sorted by release date, with a robust filter criteria (i.e. things like only books from a list of publishers, and/or authors on my watch list or books not published by a list). Add in a couple of good review sites that would do best of this months releases in genres that I like. (seems like a no brainer, I wonder why we don't have something like that).

http://www.jungle-search.com/kindle will do this. It has many search filters you can use. It's what I prefer to use since Amazon's search function is very poor.

This only address your wish for somewhere with a robust search function though - the site doesn't offer a watch list function.

https://www.fictfact.com/ will keep track of authors and series and send you a notification when something new is released.

I also use http://www.fictiondb.com/ They list new books by release date and also have a lot of information on previously released titles.

pwalker8 · 08-06-2016, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean

http://www.jungle-search.com/kindle will do this. It has many search filters you can use. It's what I prefer to use since Amazon's search function is very poor.

This only address your wish for somewhere with a robust search function though - the site doesn't offer a watch list function.

https://www.fictfact.com/ will keep track of authors and series and send you a notification when something new is released.

I also use http://www.fictiondb.com/ They list new books by release date and also have a lot of information on previously released titles.

Interesting. Thanks for the pointers.

Sweetpea · 08-08-2016, 02:03 AM

Favourite authors for me.
I never trust reviews, the reviewer can have completely different tastes from me. I've seen reviews of books that were given a 1-star rating (out of 5) that I loved. Or a 5-star rating (out of 5) that I actually couldn't even get past the first chapter. Or given a 1-star rating because the reader thought the book was too expensive...

I will sometimes look at books that personal friends/family members have recommended, or that a book seller has recommended based on my purchasing actions.

booklover6 · 08-08-2016, 07:40 AM

When browsing on any website, the cover is the single most important discovery tool for me. I know in an instant if I want to see what the book is about, or not.

library addict · 08-08-2016, 08:23 AM

Favorite authors for me, but I also like suggestions from fellow readers, sometimes book blogs, and while browsing a cover or blurb may catch my eye.

applesauce · 08-09-2016, 09:08 AM

I binge read all books when I find an author I like. I then ask for ideas from others based on my violent tastes. But then i go on weird rides. I detest hysterical romances and bodice rippers, but here is me submerged into the Outlander series, and loving it. That came about from a chance encounter with the tv series. So for me it can be any where . I have just discovered Bookbub, and yes I like it. Saves me trying to remember when a new book by a favorite author is released.

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

08-05-2016, 11:10 PM	#17
GeoffR Wizard Posts: 3,821 Karma: 19162882 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Te Riu-a-Māui Device: Kobo Glo	Favourite authors is usually my starting point when looking for ebooks now, mainly I am looking to buy ebooks by authors that I first read a book by long ago but whose other works were unavailable from the sources that I used then (mainly the local public library and second-hand bookshops) or that for some other reason I had never followed up on at the time. Last edited by GeoffR; 08-05-2016 at 11:14 PM. Reason: spelling

08-06-2016, 12:43 PM	#24
pwalker8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,196 Karma: 70314280 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Pro, iPad mini, Kobo Aura, Amazon paperwhite, Sony PRS-T2	I voted my favorite authors, but like most I have a multipronged approach that has changed over the years. Originally, I would browse the books stores looking in the new books section and occasionally getting recommendations. Over the years, that morphed into browse the book stores looking in the new books section, keeping an eye out for new books by favored authors. Once baen started their websubscriptions it became Buy Websubscriptions every month, browse the book stores looking in the new books section, keeping an eye out for new books by favored authors. Once various ebook stores opened up it became Buy Websubscriptions every month, browse the books stores looking in the new books section, keeping an eye out for new books by favored authors. Look to see if any of the books that I wanted to buy in the books store were in the kindle store, if so, buy the ebook, otherwise by the paper book. About a year after Jim Baen died, I noticed that websubscriptions had stopped becoming a buy every month item. After the kindle store opened up, I started going to the B&N less often and started browsing both the kindle store and the sony ebook store, sorted by release date. Eventually, I stopped buying from the sony store and bought mostly from the kindle store. At that time, many of my new purchases were from Amazon recommendations. As the kindle store became more and more popular and especially after Amazon started the indie self publishing, the new releases because way too painful to browse and I started using sites like author alerts to tell me when various favored authors were coming out with new books. I would also search amazon from a list of favored authors. About that time, I started to go with on line recommendations more and more. I also noticed that Amazon was recommending more and more books that I had zero interest in, but apparently were indie books that Amazon was pushing, thus I started ignoring Amazon recommendations. What would be my preferred solution - A watch list of my favorite authors that will notify me every time a favored author puts a new book in the ebook store (right now that's 99% Amazon) combined with the ability to browse the ebook store sorted by release date, with a robust filter criteria (i.e. things like only books from a list of publishers, and/or authors on my watch list or books not published by a list). Add in a couple of good review sites that would do best of this months releases in genres that I like. (seems like a no brainer, I wonder why we don't have something like that). Last edited by pwalker8; 08-06-2016 at 12:47 PM.

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08-05-2016, 10:59 PM	#16
pidgeon92 Wizard Posts: 3,144 Karma: 8426142 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Device: Kindle PW2, Kindle Voyage, Kindle DXG, Boox M90, Kobo Aura HD	Most of the books I've added to my list recently have been profiled in People magazine, which I read weekly on my iPad. I'm so far behind in my to-be-read list I'll never catch up before I die. I don't go actively looking for new ebooks/audiobooks anymore.

08-06-2016, 07:44 AM	#18
Alpha o Addict Posts: 282 Karma: 2603524 Join Date: Jan 2015 Device: Onyx Boox Darwin, inkBOOK Obsidian	There usually are no reviews for books I want. "Roving Mars", "Red Rover", "Curiosity". Sometimes there is an interesting interview on PBS newshour. I simply don't care what's popular and everyone is reading.

08-06-2016, 07:55 AM	#19
Wearever Wizard Posts: 1,063 Karma: 10944084 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New England Device: Oasis 2,Voyage, Kindlle hdx 8.9, Ipad mini 4. Air 2	I voted " other " because I look at what my favorite authors have coming , and search for new authors in genres I like. Those would come from sites like MR. Bookbub, Amazon.

08-06-2016, 08:11 AM	#20
Phogg PHD in Horribleness Posts: 2,320 Karma: 23599604 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.	I have a multi pronged search method. 1. Keyword searches combined with reading user reviews. This has become my primary method of finding new books, because I can combine multiple plot elements and also exclude multiple story elements. It also narrows the field quickly. I have several standard searches saved on my browser. 2. New releases from favorite authors 3. Recommendations from friends. 4. Freebies.

08-06-2016, 08:36 AM	#21
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,574 Karma: 204127028 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Recommendations from fellow online readers plays a big role, too, but I typically browse randomly then look at reviews. I'm a free-range grazer.

08-06-2016, 09:13 AM	#22
Zelandi Enthusiast Posts: 40 Karma: 2468206 Join Date: Jul 2016 Device: Letto Frontlight/cybook muse	Browsing covers and titles... if it's free and reasonably interesting I'll download it and if I like it I'll buy others from the author. Most likely. (unless it's really expencive..but then I'm not likely to get the freebie either, because I don't want to get hooked on stuff I can't afford. .. unless it's just a trology or something, I can afford 2 book a 10usd if I really like them I guess...oh I wish there were more books from the last series I read..I liked those..I'd pay for those..) Uhm.. some from friends, reading reviews..well.. other peoples tastes are not always the same as mine. I've had reviews deter me from books I ended up liking, and reviews making me buy books I never bothered to finish. My friends don't have the same taste either.. So..I guess a lot is book covers and freebies, and price. But I'm still fairly new to the e-book world, and I stopped reading altogether about 10 years ago. My taste now is different from what it was then, and I'm still trying to figure it out.

08-06-2016, 11:00 AM	#23
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,899 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	I picked bestseller lists, but that is only for fiction. For autobiography, memoirs, and other nonfiction, I watch political shows (Hardball, Real Time) and find the books there.

08-08-2016, 02:03 AM	#27
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	Favourite authors for me. I never trust reviews, the reviewer can have completely different tastes from me. I've seen reviews of books that were given a 1-star rating (out of 5) that I loved. Or a 5-star rating (out of 5) that I actually couldn't even get past the first chapter. Or given a 1-star rating because the reader thought the book was too expensive... I will sometimes look at books that personal friends/family members have recommended, or that a book seller has recommended based on my purchasing actions.

08-08-2016, 07:40 AM	#28
booklover6 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,545 Karma: 14008730 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA (USA) Device: Kobo Clara, 2E, Libre 1, PW4, PW5, 2022 Kindle, Kobo Libre Colour	When browsing on any website, the cover is the single most important discovery tool for me. I know in an instant if I want to see what the book is about, or not.

08-08-2016, 08:23 AM	#29
library addict Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,118 Karma: 37197878 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Nexus 7 2, Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8" (retired=Sony PRS650, Kobo Mini)	Favorite authors for me, but I also like suggestions from fellow readers, sometimes book blogs, and while browsing a cover or blurb may catch my eye.

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08-09-2016, 09:08 AM	#30
applesauce Addict Posts: 387 Karma: 3553492 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Perth Western Australia Device: kindle oasis	I binge read all books when I find an author I like. I then ask for ideas from others based on my violent tastes. But then i go on weird rides. I detest hysterical romances and bodice rippers, but here is me submerged into the Outlander series, and loving it. That came about from a chance encounter with the tv series. So for me it can be any where . I have just discovered Bookbub, and yes I like it. Saves me trying to remember when a new book by a favorite author is released.