How Do You Pick Your Next Book To Read?
If you're like me, your To-Be-Read pile is a mountainous one. So many books to read, and so little time to get to them. So, if given the bewildering number of possibilities, just how do you decide which book will be your next one to read? There must be some method to your madness. I'll try to explain mine a little here.
Every week I review our public library's new order list, and I put a hold on any titles coming in that appeal to me. It's smart to patronize the public library in these lean economic times, so the zealous lawmakers don't get the bright idea to slash the library budget (they do it anyway).
Sometimes I do background reading, especially in nonfiction if I'm writing something in a novel. An example might be a police procedural book. I also like to read nonfiction for the variety it offers me. I don't like memoirs, but I'll read a biography of a sports or historical figure.
I like to follow the big buzz different books generate. The Stieg Larsson trilogy, for example. I generally ignore the bestseller lists. If I borrow a recommended book from a friend, I'll go ahead and read it. If my wife borrows something that she likes, I'll read it. Our tastes often converge. Reviews on Goodreads are more relevant to me than other places for getting my suggestions.
But to be honest, it's mostly a gut or mood thing with me. I don't like to lock in on any next specific title to read next. I like to float and let my whimsy or mood choose for me. A title I see while browsing a shelf might strike my fancy. Or if I remember a book I've always meant to read and haven't (such as James Dickey's Deliverance). There's so much going on here. Maybe I'll carry this talk into my future blog posts.
Happy reading to you and yours!
By Ed Lynskey
Twitter: @edlynskey
Author of Lake Charles
"Definitely recommend you take a fictional journey to Lake Charles."
Elizabeth A. White's Musings of an All Purpose Monkey
Every week I review our public library's new order list, and I put a hold on any titles coming in that appeal to me. It's smart to patronize the public library in these lean economic times, so the zealous lawmakers don't get the bright idea to slash the library budget (they do it anyway).
Sometimes I do background reading, especially in nonfiction if I'm writing something in a novel. An example might be a police procedural book. I also like to read nonfiction for the variety it offers me. I don't like memoirs, but I'll read a biography of a sports or historical figure.
I like to follow the big buzz different books generate. The Stieg Larsson trilogy, for example. I generally ignore the bestseller lists. If I borrow a recommended book from a friend, I'll go ahead and read it. If my wife borrows something that she likes, I'll read it. Our tastes often converge. Reviews on Goodreads are more relevant to me than other places for getting my suggestions.
But to be honest, it's mostly a gut or mood thing with me. I don't like to lock in on any next specific title to read next. I like to float and let my whimsy or mood choose for me. A title I see while browsing a shelf might strike my fancy. Or if I remember a book I've always meant to read and haven't (such as James Dickey's Deliverance). There's so much going on here. Maybe I'll carry this talk into my future blog posts.
Happy reading to you and yours!
By Ed Lynskey
Twitter: @edlynskey
Author of Lake Charles
"Definitely recommend you take a fictional journey to Lake Charles."
Elizabeth A. White's Musings of an All Purpose Monkey
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Randy wrote: "I generally ignore the bestseller lists myself. The one time I ignored that, I picked up the biggest selling book in the last ten years. Enjoyed it and checked his other three(at the time) from the..."I wonder if the author is aware of reprocessing the same whodunit plot each time he writes a new book. Good point on mixing the old with the new. I enjoyed your Ed Lacy review, but I couldn't find out how to leave a comment by using my computer. Thanks.
Sometimes I just sit in a chair and stare at my bookcases waiting for one to call my name.... LOL I pick one off the shelf, look at it, read the back or dust cover, put it back, and repeat until I find the right one. I can take awhile sometimes. But when I just bought a new one from a series I really enjoy, it is usually the next to be read.
Karin wrote: "Sometimes I just sit in a chair and stare at my bookcases waiting for one to call my name.... LOL I pick one off the shelf, look at it, read the back or dust cover, put it back, and repeat until ..."Sure, if you're on a hot reading streak with a series, just keep it going. I'm more convinced it's a mood thing which you describe better than I can!
Randy wrote: "I posted a review on my blog, http://randall120.wordpress.com/2011/...I enjoyed your piece on Lacy"
Thanks, Randy. I'll now look for SHAKEDOWN. I haven't read that one yet and it sounds right up my alley.
I too check the new lists issued by my library and if the summary appeals to me, I "reserve" it...or buy it on my NOOK or Kindle...also, check my bookclubs due soon or coming attractions list...and goodreads newly published lists..and Nook/Kindle new lists.
Michele wrote: "and goodreads newly published lists"This sounds handy to use. Thanks for bringing it up.
Every 6 months or so I buy a ton of used books at my local library's semi-annual sale.. so lately what I do is set my 'to-read' list on goodreads to 'random' and let goodreads pick my next book-right now just the ones I own.. I am running out of room on my bookshelf!
Tracey wrote: "Every 6 months or so I buy a ton of used books at my local library's semi-annual sale.. so lately what I do is set my 'to-read' list on goodreads to 'random' and let goodreads pick my next book-rig..."I like random aspect. Let goodreads do the work. If the book selection is a disappointment, blame it on GR! Kidding. Thanks for the new idea.
Thanks Ed! Can't blame it on goodreads though, since I put the book on my 'to read' list. lol Once in a while I do pick one- for instance- I watched the movie "Mansfield Park" the other day, which made me want to re-read the book, and see how they compared. Book is definitely better, but the movie wasn't too bad.
For what it's worth, my poor cottage gets filled with incoming material from:1. CSPAN A good author segment will get me to reserve the book at the library or order it.
2. TRAVEL Especially on long trips, I'm willing to spring for an expensive book to have in the carry on, particularly something different from overseas.
3. LIBRARY SALE I go by the store and for $1-4 usually find something in history or fiction.
4. FOLLOW UP Books come with lists of other books, and especially the audio series lead me to fill in gaps in Ancient History, Middle Ages, Napoleonic era, WWI and II, Russian Lit, Indian History and Lit.
5. OLD RELIABLES Whether at the library or audible, I pick up Perry, Child, Parker, Larson, Connelly.
6. ALUMNI Although I rarely go the St J seminars, I often get and sometimes read selections from around the country.
7. WSJ I find Journal (and sometimes Guardian) to be more timely and interesting than NY Times. Interesting meaning I wouldn't have otherwise heard about the book.
Tracey wrote: "Thanks Ed! Can't blame it on goodreads though, since I put the book on my 'to read' list. lol Once in a while I do pick one- for instance- I watched the movie "Mansfield Park" the other day, which ..."You know it's surprising how often the book is better than the movie adapted from it.
Alan wrote: "For what it's worth, my poor cottage gets filled with incoming material from:1. CSPAN A good author segment will get me to reserve the book at the library or order it.
2. TRAVEL Especially..."
Yes, CPSAN often his interesting guest of nonfiction. I like Tom Nolan's reviews at the WSJ. The library sales are still reasonable in their prices. I recently bought a bunch of paperback originals that cost $3 USD each, about 3X what I expected to pay. I guess the used bookstore had to jack up the prices to stay in operation. Thanks for the meaty breakdown, Alan. Enjoyed it.
Till recently I only read second hand books, so whatever I could get at the local charity shop was on my reading list. Now we have a beautiful new library in our town, so I'm getting the chance to catch up on my favourite authors.
Sibhs wrote: "Till recently I only read second hand books, so whatever I could get at the local charity shop was on my reading list. Now we have a beautiful new library in our town, so I'm getting the chance to ..."Wow. A new library. Good for you. Thanks for the good news.
It will also give me the chance to read your books, which I'm looking forward too.
Sibhs wrote: "It will also give me the chance to read your books, which I'm looking forward too."Thank you!
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As for how I pick from my TBR pile, I generally alternate a recent addition with older ones. It still grows despite my best efforts.