Modern Good Reads discussion

Lets hear what you evaluate when you choose a book:

Word of mouth recommendations? Reviews? Buzz words in the description? Advertising? Genres? Book Blogs? Popularity lists? Listopia?

Or just a great book cover? (I have been guilty of this)

What compels you to choose a book?

Recommendations/Reviews, I think first and foremost. Followed by description and cover.

I don't put a whole lot of stock in blogs really or advertising for that matter. I go by my friends lists on GR and have been known to check out Listopia.

Known author is probably my first reason followed by book description on back cover. I never read reviews

If the back cover sounds good, is the main sale for me. I hear about them from a variety of different ways, and book covers might get me to look at the back cover blurb, but back cover is what seals the deal!

The genre has to be right, first of all. Mine are usually Sci-Fi or Fantasy but I'll branch out if my mood is right.

Then I look at the rating (if any).

After that, the first sentence of the book description. Then the whole description.

If any of that doesn't grab me, the book is out. It sounds pickier than it actually is though!

Thomas, I know that feeling! I like to think I am a picky reader, but man my book shelves strongly suggest otherwise ;)

I'm bad, a cover gets my attention and I go from there. I read the back or synopsis, if I think I'd like it, it comes home or gets downloaded. However, author friends ALWAYS get read, even if it takes me a while, same goes with books in a series I'm reading.

I have to say that the title/cover have to catch my attention first and then the blurb of the story has to maintain that interest. If I'm browsing on Amazon or online, then I'll check out a few reviews, both positive and negative.

If I like what I see, then it goes on my Wish List. My problem is that I have so little time to read anymore that I've got a large backlog of books that I want to read. So, now, it's usually got to be a series/author I'm already reading or reading for a friend or it has to look amazing.

I usually choose a book when the synopsis/description of the book is good and when the review is also good. I can easily be influenced so book recommendation can also play in the role with the choosing of the book.

I don't pay much attention to the book cover or reviews.
If the description interests me then usually the book will. Recommendations from people I follow and admire will also help in my choice of books.

Here's a great reason: Because its FREE. LOL.

I usually go by if it's an author that I know first. If it's one of my favorites, I go no further.
If I haven't heard of the author, but had heard about it somewhere (NPR, B&N, Sidebar on GR), I look at the description. If that is great, I pick it up. I have actually bought an entire series because of how the first book was described (and ultimately how it read).
If I am still intrigued but not sold, I start looking at what other people have said about it. If they seemed to have liked it, then chances are I will to, otherwise, I pass on it and am on to the next book.

I chose 2 books recent, a Sherrilyn Kenyon novel and a Jim Butcher novel, both hardbacks, because they were at the DOLLAR TREE for a buck each.

So, when I can find authors I like On Sale, I will buy.

:)

I've been moved by covers, read the book and been disappointed, I've heard great reviews, bought the book and been disappointed, my greatest finds are when I see a book read the blurb and find myself suddenly excited, a book no one has recommended to me, they are true rare beautiful finds!

I get rec's from my GR trusted friends but I still read the blurb. If something catches my attention..and hooks me ..I buy. I used to be more cover oriented but with my ereader not as much although a bad cover will put me off reading a blurb unfortunately.

Word of mouth. When someone recommends a book to me I am more likely to read it. Book covers are often like movie descriptions, which make them all sound Oscar winners.

I can tell you what puts me off a book these days are the stickers the publishers are using "If you liked Fifty Shades of Grey you will love this Book" I hate that!

Recommendations from friends on GR; a new short story that intrigues me in an anthology I picked up to read a story in a series I'm already reading; if it's a new author to me, I read the book summary. If it's intriguing AND well-written, I'll read a random bit somewhere in the middle. If it's still well-written and intriguing, then I pick it up. Then there are the ARCs and requests for reviews...

I am definitely guilty of going for the cover but that only get me to read the description then I go from there. Other times recommendations but I have few friends that read so that doesn't happen often. These past couple days I've been looking here on GoodReads to see what people are reading.

A cover forms a relationship with the pictures in your head, it is as good as any motivation to chose a book. I myself go with my tried and true format, first the 'Genre' then the 'Author' and finally I peruse the flap. Sometimes I am wrong, disappointed, annoyed at myself...but that is life. Because next time I will follow the same routine!