My to-be-read stack is pretty massive at the moment, but I’m always looking to add new books to it. But just perusing the shelves at a big bookstore or local library can be daunting, so here’s a list of what I think are the 5 best ways to find books you will be excited about reading.
1. Friends who read. Let me preface this by saying that you shouldn’t blindly accept book recommendations from just about anyone. You really need to know a person in order to know whether or not you have compatible book tastes. That said, there’s no better way to find new books to read than a personal recommendation. I’m very fortunate to be in a family of readers, and my cousin Terri and I are always mailing books back and forth to each other. We all really like fantasy/sci-fi, though within that genre we each have a particular favorite type. But I will read anything any of them recommend to me, because we have an understanding.
2. Book blogs. One of the best things about running Reading is my Superpower is that I feel obligated to check out other readers’ blogs, and I’ve discovered so many great books to read. The great thing about book bloggers is that they’re not just reading the newest releases or the hottest books. I’ve been inspired to check out classic literature and overlooked modern fiction by reading what other bloggers are reading.
3. Book reviews. I do like to know what’s going on in the literary world, and I keep up to date by reading the New York Times book reviews every day, and glutting myself on what’s left of the Sunday book section. I also happen to like Entertainment Weekly’s book review pages, because they do a little sidebar of “What’s New” in various types of genre fiction. That’s how I discovered the Temeraire books, and I will admit to occasionally checking out chicklit, if it gets an A.
4. Amazon.com recommendations. They can be annoying, but if you put the time into tweaking them you can actually get some good results. I like the tag clouds they’ve added and the dynamic links so I can see what a book is all about without going to the page. I am also a fan of the “Readers who liked this also bought” feature. The other day I was putting together a list of books that I’d want for the baby I’m having in November, and it was really helpful for calling my attention to all those classics whose names I’ve forgotten. (Also, Bookmooch has an extension for Firefox that pulls ISBNs and makes it easy to mooch right from the page in Amazon.) I’ve joined Good Reads and Librarything and have done a little browsing, but neither is quite as easy to use as Amazon.
5. Used bookstores. I’m as intoxicated as anyone is by the sheer quantities of books in Barnes and Noble and Borders, and I can definitely enjoy myself browsing there. But I’m more likely to walk out of a used bookstore with an impulse buy, because with a smaller, eclectic selection it’s easier to get seduced by a book, particularly an older one or one that wasn’t/isn’t a bestseller. You see books you never would have thought of seeking out in a bigger store, but sitting there on the shelf they seem so appealing and all of a sudden you have to read it.
These are all intuitive strategies–no secret information here–but I think it’s important for readers to remember that there are more books out there than just the latest hot thing. And I wanted to celebrate the things/people who make my reading life so rich.
I wrote this post for Problogger’s Group Writing project–deadline is Thursday.
Nice post!
I am a reader myself. But thanks to my very hectic lifestyle, I dont have much time to read at all. Sigh. All my books are just piled on my bookshelf waiting for me to open them once again.
Still, even though I cant apply your tips right now. I really think that it is a helpful post especially for people who like to read a lot.
Hmm… i need to send this site to one of my book lover friends.
Thanks for your post.
If you have time, why don’t you drop by my post:
http://mobileko.blogspot.com/2.....to-be.html
It’s also an entry for the problogger top 5- group writing project. ^^ Goodluck to us all!
boy am I glad I picked your blog out of the numerous for the first day of the project to read! I love reading, and usually read anything I can get my hands on. I too usually get my recommendations from friends and family but even they have become short on opinions 🙂 I love fantasy/sci-fi books so I will def. check out your recommendations! ohhh…I’m sooo excited..another source for finding amazing books!!! Good luck on the project and thanks for the blog!!!
Welcome! Glad you liked the post & happy reading–
Love your top 5! I am always trying to figure out what to read next, and to stretch myself outside of the authors I normally read. Thanks for the great tips – I’m looking through your blog now to find my next read :0)
Love this. I’m a speed-reader myself and own a small bookstore’s worth of books. And still I’m always buying more!
Thanks for your post in the ProBlogger.net Group Writing Project. As a fellow avid reader, writer, and all-around Book Fanatic, I enjoyed your thoughts on finding great books! Live, Love & Laugh, Sherri
Hey Annie, Good luck with the contest! I was too lazy to enter…
It’s not too late, Ian–you have until Thursday 🙂
Always nice to find a fellow book-lover. And even better to find a fellow fantasy-fan.
I agree with all your points. But unfortunately, it is only recently (after I started my blog and found more “bookies”) that point 1 held some meaning for me, as otherwise I was usually the source than the recipient of suggestions.
Any suggestions for good review-sites (like NYT you mentioned)?
BTW, my entry for “Top 5” is a list of fantasy book series I like. Do check it out and comment 😀
I liked your post and love the blog. I’m a new feed subscriber. Thanks!
http://brentevans.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for signing up for my feed, Brent! Happy blogging yourself-
Nice post! I’m gonna subscribe to your feed, too. 🙂 I never considered myself much of a reader, but I do enjoy it. More reading would definitely help me (especially since I’m starting college soon), so I look forward to reading more of your posts for inspiration!
A great post, as always. I’ve been lurking and not commenting but always enjoying. So you’re having a baby? Thank you for bringing another bookworm into the world!
Hi
Nice top 5
I like Amazon and reviewed books, but my favourite would have to be the second hand book shop. I am like a kid in a toy shop.
Thanks
Tom
Oh gosh! How could I ever have missed this?
*bookmarks blog*
My limit reading list is usually tech stuff… but, I’ve always wanted to have the time to read the top 100 classics as listed by the ALA, and as I’ve found other definitions of that list by other groups! Need to get rid of some old, to bring in the new… 🙂
Great Top 5… stop by and check out mine.