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As many of you can see, I've been a pretty terrible blogger lately! What can I say...Life.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Discussion Topic: What Compels you to Read a Book for the First Time?

I know this topic has been discussed before, but perhaps not all by itself or to this length.

What I am wondering is what compels you to read a book for the first time?

Or, another way of saying this might be...

What are the steps you go through to determine what to read?

I think many people start with a recommendation from someone, especially a friend or a family member, but what happens if you are out of recommendations, you've just finished that spare books on your shelf, and the last thing you read was one of the best books you have picked up all year! Where do you possibly go from there!?

Now, I'm one of those kinds of people that stockpiles! Very rarely are there no other books on my shelves that I have yet to read. Currently, I believe there are over 100 books on my shelf left to read, just waiting for me to choose one of them next! Nevertheless, when I am looking for the next best thing in stores, the first thing I do is...

1. Look at the book cover. Now, I know they say never to judge a book by it's cover, but it certainly is the best way for a book to make a first impression.
2. If the cover in enticing enough, I read the title. Titles that tend to grab me are usually peculiar, something I have never heard before. For example "The Near Witch," "The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane," and "The Knife of Never Letting Go," all very insteresting titles.
3. Then, if I am still hooked (which I almost always make it to step 3) is I read the backcover of the book. This is really the do or die point! Does the story appeal to me, does it sound original, like a fun quick read, or the same old, same old, ripoff of something else, or just completely opposite of what I feel like reading. I tend to lean towards characters similar to my age with a touch of romance. I enjoy fantasy and sci-fi more, with some historical fiction and tend to shy away from realistic fiction.
4. Next, I check the price! With so many books waiting to be read already, it's hard to spend more than $7 on a book that you're not positive about. However, you wouldn't believe how many books I can find for $5 or less. I've got all my little places.
5. Finally, I turn to a random page, kind of towards the beginning and read a page or two, just to get a good feel for the writing.
6. I make the final decisions. To read or not to read. To buy or not to buy!


What is your process when you are faced with a book store like the one above!!!??? That's a lot of books to choose from!!!

11 comments:

  1. What's interesting about "don't judge a book by its cover" is that I've kind of noticed that the cover usually has to do with the book (but not always. Based on what I know about the books, the Twilight series are a good example of this).

    I choose a book based on the following (in order): do I recognize the author/have I heard the author's name before? Does the cover look interesting and appealing? Does the summary of the book sound like something I would read? In the case of some authors, though, like Nicholas Sparks or Meg Cabot, it doesn't matter what the book is about. My main question is: do I already own this book?

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    1. Haha! I have authors that I do the same thing with. I don't care what it is about, how much it costs, etc. I only know that I have to have it and I will love it!!!

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  2. For me, it is less about entertainment, although I enjoy reading immensely, and more about the acquisition of knowledge. I read what I don't know anything about, and it just keeps me moving forward.

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    1. Sometimes I wish I had that drive. I mean, I always want to learn more, but if I want to know something, I usually do a quick google search. I've never been one to pick up nonfiction for fun. I am amazed by people who do though and I love to hear them talk about what they've just read.

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  3. First the cover draws me to the book, then I read the blurb and then the first page. If the first page doesn't hook me, that's usually it for me. If I really love book, the price doesn't matter too much. Unless it's ridiculous of course. Liz

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    1. Excellent! There are certain authors where the price won't matter to me. Like Maria V. Snyder's books. I really can not mention her name enough. I am just eating up all of her books so fast! You gotta love fantasy though!

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  4. Your way Aubrie, is most definitely mine too. One thing I miss about books using a kindle, though is keeping the cover. I mean when I chose a book it's online so I see the cover in full colour. I read the blurb, I read reviews and I might check out a free chapter to be sure (if it cost more than a few quid :P). But once I've bought it, the book cover is in a flat grey state and when I used to read books, I loved that when I picked it up each time I had the cover to instantly transport me back into the book - that is at least if the cover is a good one which depicts the contents well. FOr this reason I will be purchasing a Kindle Fire as soon as they're available on Amazon.co.uk. :P

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    1. I know how you feel. My aunt bought me a kindle for my graduation from college. It was sweet of her! I kept going back and forth with weather or not I would get it or not, but now that I have it I am enjoying it. It has not stopped me from buying "real" books though. I use it to get all the FREE books. lol. I miss the covers too though. :)The Kindle Fire sounds fabulous!

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