When thinking of reading a book, what most affects your decision?

[Senior2315]

I think this is a relevant question. I have found, for instance, that on average the best fantasy writers seem to come from Australia, and the worst (not being mean or racist) come from America. But there are quite a few other things people do that influences their decision-
Media interest, Previously written books, references by other authors, what wikipedia has to say about them, their education or outspoken beliefs can all affect whether I look at a book or not.

What about you?

[Propter W.]

Well, if I've read something by the same author that I liked, I'm likely to read another one of his or her works. I'll take recommendations into consideration from friends with the same interests as me. I read the blurb and see if it can arouse my interest (I read about the content, I'm not really interested in reviews or quotes and citations). I'll basically read any book on any subject I'm interested in. I read classics to see what all the fuss is about. I tend to read books that inspired my favourite authors or musicians.

[Dark Passenger]

Voice.

[LuggageFan]

I have tons of books in my library that I haven't read yet, so sometimes, I'll literally flip a coin, like this: divide my stacks in half, assign 'heads' to one and 'tails' to the other, and keep dividing into two until I get to a book. :D

But sometimes, I select a book to read based upon my mood, the season, things going on in my life. For example, I just finished Terminal Freeze about events in the North Slope of Alaska, consistent with the season and it's cold and snow. When I'm wound up, I might read a new Discworld book to make me laugh and unwind.

[KilgoreT]

To be honest, I usually choose books based on the author's reputation. If I repeatedly hear an author being praised, I will at least consider looking into it. I look for praise from people on here or others like us, not necessarily the NY Times flavor of the month. If I like one book by an author I will read others by them. I also know that, for instance, I like Vonnegut's witty, satirical style so I look for authors who are said to be similar. Lastly, I like to read authors from a variety of times and places, a diverse selection. This led me to Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, which was a very good book in my opinion.

[LuggageFan]

Also, I've purchased numerous books from Amazon through their "Amazon Recommends for You" feature.

[Dark Muse]

First and foremost is an obvious one. The book will have to sound like something I might actually be interested in reading. If I hear of a book which catches my attention and makes me think I want to read it, the first thing I will do is read the back cover, or look up a synopsis online for it.

If that is not enough to completely sell me on the book, or altogether deter me from reading it, than I will look up reviews and comments left by other people who have read the book to get a better idea about the book. And while I will not base my own decision just on whether or not someone else liked it or disliked it, reading thoughts from a variety of different people on a book can help give me a better idea of the book. As well if the majority of the people who read it all gave it like a one star rating or if they all raved about how great it was, that will give me a better sense if it is worth my own time.

I will also sometimes refer to my sister on books, if I happen to notice her reading something, or know she had read something that I have heard about and was curious about, I will ask her what she thought/thinks of it because we have very similar taste in books.

[Tallon]

This forum is quite an influence. The internet in general, there is no one in my day to day life i discuss books with so i tend to find out about things from researching on the internet. Then there is the endless links of authors themselves, when my favourite writers recommend something i tend to believe them.

[weltanschauung]

pretty pictures, obviously.

[AlfredtheGreat]

The book I would look the coolest reading.

[hazelk]

Usually the cover attracts me and the thickness, I am not interested in reading looong books. And I always read the back cover for comments.

[JuniperWoolf]

Whims, mostly. "Winter of our discontent, cool title. Steinbeck? Haven't read him in a while. Neat."

[OrphanPip]

I divine my next book selection by casting chicken bones and reading the omens.

Or, on random whims.

[Dark Muse]

I divine my next book selection by casting chicken bones and reading the omens.

Or, on random whims.

I should start consulting my Oujia Board next time I am not sure what to read next :lol:

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

One thing, and one thing only: the cover.

[AlfredtheGreat]

Whims, mostly. "Winter of our discontent, cool title. Steinbeck? Haven't read him in a while. Neat."

Good choice.

[gruntingslime]

Usually ideas that are affecting me at the time will cause me to search for a book that develops or explores similar ideas, I guess as a way of helping me to figure certain things out.

[Mr.lucifer]

A mixture of premise ,content, and reception.

[Paulclem]

I take recommendations from friends; I am influenced by this forum; I read reviews and blurbs; I look at Amazon's "people who bought this book also bought..." recommendations - which has thrown up some good stuff. I tend to cogitate for a good while before committing myself to a new author - but then if I like an author's work, I would most likely choose them again. I chose The Algebraist by Iain M Banks on the strength of a review - though I do enjoy sci fi - and I've read most of his sci fi. I also look for context - I like historical novels where I can learn something.

[Patrick_Bateman]

Usually before buying a new book to read I research the author if he is new to me, then I will peruse a synopsis and then any literary critique or reviews I can find. Although I don't put much stock in the latter.

I'll read anything by anyone once, the above is almost purely perfunctory.

[GypsyDream]

My mom, my fiance' and my best friend usually feed my addiction, and I end up with more books than I know what to do with at times. I usually go with my gut when I have to pick among those. I will read the back and whatever pulls me the most is what I go with.

I have a very tight budget, so when I purchase books I hit the used book store or the clearance section at the larger and new books stores. I've come across some really neat finds. I read the back, and if it still interests me, I read the first couple of lines. If I am pulled in, I will purchase it. That was how I found "The Time of Light" by Gunnar Kopperud. An excellent read.

[JuniperWoolf]

Good choice.

The system works!

[Big Dante]

I usually just grab something off the bookshelf and read it. Whatever my mood wants me to read I will.
I'm having a bit of a Shakespeare phase at the moment.

[Lote-Tree]

The cover of a book.

If it has a picture of beautiful woman. I know it will be a great read ;-)

[inbetween]

well
-the cover
-the title
-things I know about book or author (is the author said to have a good style? is the book considdered a classical work?, is it a pennyblood?, is there anything I know refering to the book?... such things)

[Paulclem]

The cover of a book.

If it has a picture of beautiful woman. I know it will be a great read ;-)

That reminds me of a nice aunty of mine who once said of her very placid husband - "He'll read anything with a bare a*** on the cover" (Three stars for the British version)

I still laugh now at that.

[stlukesguild]

That reminds me of a nice aunty of mine who once said of her very placid husband - "He'll read anything with a bare a*** on the cover" (Three stars for the British version)

I still laugh now at that.

Sounds like as good of a reason as any I've heard.:ihih:

[OrphanPip]

That reminds me of a nice aunty of mine who once said of her very placid husband - "He'll read anything with a bare a*** on the cover" (Three stars for the British version)

I still laugh now at that.

I imagine I own a few books with bare asses on the cover that would have shocked her husband out of his placidity ;).