How do you choose what book to get next?

simu

Apart from presents of books or books you have to read for uni or whatever, how do ye chose what book to buy/loan next?

Me:

If I've seen mention of a book or an author a few times in other books I like, I make a point of looking out for these.

If a book is known to have been very influential on other books I've read, I want to read it.

For sci-fi, I look out especially for anthologies as they're good for finding out about new writers without splashing out on a book by each.

I'm not very influenced by ads for books at all - I'd rather go for something not so well-known than read whatever is being pushed on readers by Waterstone's etc as the "must-read" or the "top 100 books of the century".

When I go to people's houses, I always look at their books to see if there's anything that interests me and if so, I put it on my mental list of books to buy.

strawberry

Poor student = bargain basement.

I have an intimate knowledge of the classics; granted Harding may depress me to tears, but if he only costs 2.99 I'll buy him.

parker larkin

I don't chose to, usually just take the notion to pop into a book shop and the book (accodring to finances) chooses me!

Yesterday I bought Ted Hughes' Birthday Letters and a collection of Gerard manley Hopkins stuff that caught my eye

Book shopping, especially bargins, makes me very happy!

alleepally

It varies for me. Sometimes it might be as a result of a review. other times it's simply reading the dust jacket. If I'm particularly lazy in choosing, I go for an author I've read before.

voxpop

How I usually choose a book in order

Recommended by someone else
Author I've read before and liked
Come accross review on the web/in magazine

plastic membrane

My only rule is that i never read the same author twice in a row. Don't know why, but its important to me.

Trojan

Originally posted by parker larkin
I don't chose to, usually just take the notion to pop into a book shop and the book (accodring to finances) chooses me!

Yesterday I bought Ted Hughes' Birthday Letters and a collection of Gerard manley Hopkins stuff that caught my eye

Book shopping, especially bargins, makes me very happy!

Yeah, I'm the same. Was bike shopping in town and happened to walk past Chapters (love the basement) and Easons... serious damage, bought about 8 books... so much for the bicycle

No rules, but I'll always be looking out for new books by my favourite authors and they get top priority.

skittishkitten

Usually by the recommendation of someone else. Otherwise I browse through my bookclub junkmail.....if something should happen to catch my eye ( the artwork ) then I might look into it a bit more . I usually stay within certain catagories that interest me , only venturing out if a book seems extremely appealing . If I'm at a store and the book has attracted my attention I might look at it more closely then too. Usually it's just a impulse shopping thing

Trojan

Originally posted by skittishkitten
Usually by the recommendation of someone else. Otherwise I browse through my bookclub junkmail.....if something should happen to catch my eye ( the artwork ) then I might look into it a bit more . I usually stay within certain catagories that interest me , only venturing out if a book seems extremely appealing . If I'm at a store and the book has attracted my attention I might look at it more closely then too. Usually it's just a impulse shopping thing

Meandering off topic, I'm interested in how you find the book club thing - is it working out well? I've seen some of the spam, and occasionally it looks brilliant, but I'd be concerned about the forced buys and lack of choice on occasion. Comments? Which one is it btw?

Cheers,
Al.

skittishkitten

The book club and I have a long history. When I first signed up I got 10 books for $1 ( plus shipping and handling ) and only had to purchase 4 more books over the next two years at club prices at which you can pick up hardbound books for aprox $12 . Usually you can order your first book for 1/2 price if you order it when you order your first ten. Every once in a while they'll screw up my account and we'll have words , I'll get mad , cancel them and they beg me to come back. When I rejoin I get 10 books for $1 ( plus shipping and handling ) and then have to buy 4 more at club prices ( which are actually cheaper than store prices ). It works out pretty well when they mess up my account . But you must also remember I'm in the U.S. so I'm not sure if you can purchase from these clubs .....that's why friends can be such wonderful things to have *cough, cough *

www.sfbc.com

I usually get my Luis Royo books from ebay though , I've snagged several for amazing cheap prices ( basically artwork but I simply adore it )

another club I have used but don't like as well ( their more expensive ) is :

www.budplant.com

Trojan

Originally posted by skittishkitten
But you must also remember I'm in the U.S. so I'm not sure if you can purchase from these clubs .....that's why friends can be such wonderful things to have *cough, cough *

Originally posted by skittishkitten

www.sfbc.com

Oh no... it's a skiffy book club... that's just cruel damnit! I've picked my first 45 books, where do I sign?