Welcome! Welcome!
Today is Day #2 of the THIRSTY Giveaway! (If you're checking in for the first time, this week I’m giving away 5 copies of my debut novel THIRSTY! And 1 really cool, pretty amazing new bookthingy…appropriately entitled “Bookthingy”…that I discovered a few weeks ago while at the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association conference in Cleveland.)
Today's prizes?
2 copies of THIRSTY!
How to win?
Easy. Just answer the following question in the comments section:
Today's question is:
- How do you choose a book to read? (Do you read the synopsis? Oggle the author photo? Judge a book by its cover? Critique the acknowledgments? Read a page in the middle of the book? Get referrals from friends? Get referrals on Twitter? etc.)
Me? How do I choose a book?
I have a holistic approach to choosing a book. I like to hold a book in my hands, turn it over, look at the front and back covers, read the summary on the front inside flap, check out the author photo on the back inside flap. I also open randomly to a page in the middle, read a few sentences, get a feel for the story and the author's voice. Epigraphs? Acknowledgments? Any other extra info I can find? I read it all. (But of course this is in an ideal world. I live in Shanghai so I order many books online...whole different gig when I can't hold the book. Then I'm much more dependent on referrals from friends, Twitterers, readers, etc.)
Your turn! How do you choose a book to read?
If a friend recommends a book, I'll usually check it out. But I have to admit that most of the time, I base my decision on the title or cover. If it looks appealing, I usually pick it up, read the summary and the author's info, and if it still calls my name, then it's mine. :)Or if a friend or someone I already know of is the author, then I am definitely more inclined to read the book...thinking of you, Christina Katz, and Allison Winn Scotch as examples.
Posted by: Sarah | October 30, 2009 at 12:04 PM
The most fun way to discover a new book is to stumble upon one doing a shelf read at the library, a bookstore, or a used book sale. It’s definitely the title that first draws me in, then the cover art, the book blurb on the dust jacket (or back, if it’s a paperback) and reading a random page. But more and more, I’ve been getting book recommendations from Powell’s, Amazon, or any of the online newsletters I subscribe to or blogs I follow. Then I just have go to Amazon.com to learn more about the book and decide if I consider it worth my time to read.
Posted by: Cara Holman | October 30, 2009 at 12:34 PM
If the cover grabs me, I will pick it up and read the cover. If I have read a positive review on a particular book that will also entice me to buy it. I do some shopping online and local bookstores but I am so much more impulsive at the bookstores...all the pretties call to me! lol
Posted by: Stacy W | October 30, 2009 at 09:50 PM
Great question! I have a TON of books TBR at home as well as a HUGE list on GoodReads. I think it's sort of a random pick...something that grabs me right away. When I'm in the mood or it has a great cover. I also do reading challenges which help me pick what to read. I'm also a sucker for the library for new books.
By the way, love the cover of your book. Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted by: Amanda | October 30, 2009 at 10:25 PM
I tend to read many books by the same author, so I trust that I know I like his style and storytelling capabilities. Outside of that genre, I will venture to read something that has gotten alot of good press (by Oprah or another media outlet) or I will seek out a biogrpahy about someone by whom I am intrigued.
Posted by: Jill L | October 30, 2009 at 10:29 PM
I take recs from friends, twitter and blogs I follow. I look at the blurb, sometimes the cover pulls me in. I do tend to read everything I can by authors, especially if I find a book of theirs that I really like.
Posted by: Breia B | October 31, 2009 at 09:49 AM
The cover draws me in. Then I look at the back cover/sleeves. And then, if there is one, the TOC. From there, it's all feeling. My gut reaction. I've made mistakes not following it.
Posted by: Julie Duck | October 31, 2009 at 09:50 AM