Does the internet, newspaper, etc. help to pick a book?

ecoman · Post by **ecoman** » 15 Nov 2013, 20:02

I noticed a topic on choosing a book based on its appearance. This thread has to do with which media, place or others help to pick what book you want to read.
With the age of the internet, would you still depend on a newspaper article or review to help you find a book to read? Or, do you use the internet exclusively, (e.g. forums like this one), to get the information you need in choosing a book? Maybe you just browse through the books in a bookstore. Or, it just might be a recommendation from someone you know. Anyway, what helps you choose a book to read?

kassie_2000 · Post by **kassie_2000** » 15 Nov 2013, 20:19

Several of my friends and family members have the same taste in books as me, and they usually give me the best suggestions. Recently, however, I've started paying attention to book reviews from reputable websites, and I've been pleasantly surprised! I have a growing list of books I want to read based off of these reviews and suggestions. I also try to keep an eye out for new books from my favorite authors. Just saw Louise Erdrich's new book, "The Round House" in Barnes n Noble today, and I can't wait to read it!

DATo · Post by **DATo** » 15 Nov 2013, 20:58

Over the last year or so I'd say most of my book reading choices were influenced exclusively by recommendations made by posters at this site.

Mom2Grey · Post by **Mom2Grey** » 15 Nov 2013, 22:15

I often go with reviews.

gali · Post by **gali** » 15 Nov 2013, 23:50

My choices are influenced from recommendations, reviews of people who share same taste in books as me, and of course the blurb of the book.

riyanj · Post by **riyanj** » 16 Nov 2013, 16:41

Yes. Recommendations mean everything. Though word of mouth recommendation trumps internet reviews.

prican11 · Post by **prican11** » 16 Nov 2013, 17:07

The internet helps me especially because it enables me to find books that are related to other books which I have read in the past. I have found some of my favorite authors by spider webbing out from a particular book.

Maud Fitch · Post by **Maud Fitch** » 17 Nov 2013, 20:17

"A little from column A, a little from column B".

Generally I find book reader websites and forums are a great source of unbiased information. However, publishers use them to advertise and promote their latest books and members post their reviews, often tainted by gain, so I've learned to be cynical of over-enthusiastic critiques. Also, I use local newspapers because they have their finger on the pulse of our average city dweller. Reading tastes vary so much that I often depend on word-of-mouth for a genuine comment on my favourite genre.

jhonmarvi · Post by **jhonmarvi** » 17 Nov 2013, 22:43

yes of course internet,news paper is so helpful for choose the good books .

ecoman · Post by **ecoman** » 18 Nov 2013, 13:01

As an author I’d have to say that most of my sales have been the result of “word of mouth”. Those who have enjoyed my novel tell friends. In the same way, reviews and comments on the internet have influenced readers into buying my book. I know this from replies I’ve read on the internet. But I must also say that a feature article in our local newspaper brought about an increase in sales for my novel.

Casis29 · Post by **Casis29** » 18 Nov 2013, 13:43

I never seem to want for a book, I find them everywhere. First I read books friends have read......this is where the tangled web starts. When I read those books, if there are footnotes or mentions of other books I follow that path and then read anything that is mentioned in the next book and so on. When that path comes to an end I start on another mention off the first book again. Then I try to find anything by those authors. When those are all exhausted (I'm usually out shopping before this) I take the motorcycle for a spin to a small town and grab a coffee while I peruse the local bookstore. There are staff picks as well as showcased books or new releases in my preferred genre. If that still hasn't panned out, I check all the ebooks people have emailed to me or I go to a classic to get ideas. Finally, when all hope is fading I grab a topic of interest (or genre) and do a google search for top ten or best in a decade or greatest of all time. And to answer the next question coming, I'm very OCD. LOL

jonblondyn · Post by **jonblondyn** » 20 Nov 2013, 21:50

Internet

prisailurophile · Post by **prisailurophile** » 20 Nov 2013, 23:02

Yup. The Sunday newspaper helps. But only the beginning of the month do the writers write a lot of reviews. As for the internet, I would pick goodreads, book blogs (like A Little Blog of Books and Other Stuffs) and kirkus.

riyanj · Post by **riyanj** » 21 Nov 2013, 00:23

I visit review sites for lesser known books and have had some pretty good luck that way. I'm getting ready to start a new book by an author I met on Linked-in. I like it when other authors ask me to read their books and give them honest reviews because it gives me a chance to get to know my competition.