The plot and context, really. If I like the plot or contence on the back of the book that tells you what the book is about, I read it. And if I take a real liking, I usually look for other books from the same author.

I read books because of the summarys and most of the time I just look at the cover picture. If I think it's interesting then I read it. I don't have a library at home but I do go to the public library a lot. I don't buy books cuz my parents think that's a waste of money since I don't read a book more than once. But I do get free books from the library. They have a program thingy that you can get books.

I usually look at the titles and the spines. A good cover also helps. Then, I read the summary
If I think it's interesting, I'll read the first couple of pages. If I think it's good, I'll usually read the whole thing.

I just go to the public libary and browse around, I pick up books that have an interesting title or a book I might have heard or read about, or I just browse through different author's sections since I like alot of authors. But mostly I just find books randomly or I research them online and so on. I also tend to go for older books, but I do like some new ones. :)

like one time at the public libary I just passed by a book called Vampirates, and I was like "err... sounds creative?" So I just picked it up and started reading it, I dunno I usaully get curious about books based on their title. XD

I'm a very picky ready because I had massive issues reading as a child. If a good doesn't grasp me right from the beginning I tend not to read it because I have a low attention span when it comes to reading.

When looking in the book stores I rely on title first. If the title sounds interesting I'll pull the book out and look at it. Often from there I either look at the cover art or the summery. Generally if I dislike the cover art I put the book back. I know it's a bad way to judge a book, but I'm a visual person, if the art is boring I really don't want to go any farther. There are exceptions of course. If I dislike the summery I put it back too. I often read the first two or three lines and decide. I've found a lot of books that sound sucky within the first sentence (very mary-sue or a story line way too over used), but if in the first few sentences I'm still interested I'll finish the the summery. From there I choose if it's worth buying or not.

Usually I read book on the recommendations my friends and sister give me. If they liked it I'm more likely to pick it up myself then if I were to read a review somewhere. Most of the time I pick books up if their cover catch my attention, but then I always read the back and maybe even a page or two from the inside. My Grandmother too would always tell me not to judge a book by it's cover but it's hard not to.

I usually go to the library, so for me, it's the.. -I don't know how you call it, but it's the side-thing with the title XD Attention-grabbing colors, interesting title~ after that, I just read the blurb ^__^ I don't buy books very often, because it'd be such a waste if the book were to be bad. But I buy things from my favorite writers, or books that friends recommended, and that are not in the library :)
My family's library is boring D:

I look for a pretty cover which, I know is wrong because your not supposed to judge a book by its cover but if the cover is cool then I read the back. Then if the back is cool i get it. Same goes for the title, if the title is chool then i'll read it. I also prefer to read books wirtten in first person.

First I look at the genre...I won't touch anything that has to do with horror or mystery (horror is plain stupid and I read too many Nancy Drews as a child). Then I take a look at the cover and name. If the name sucks the book probably sucks and the cover doesn't matter as much. Some of the best books come under the plainest covers. Finally, (brace for a horrible shock) I normally take a look at the ending of the book. I hate being disappointed and I feel ripped off when I get a crappy ending after reading 1,000 pages. That's all there is to it.

If the first chapter catches my attention really well I will finish it through sometimes it can be an ok first chapter and if the summary sound really good i'll read it. I never go by the cover because a book could have a plain cover but still be a great read, also if its an author I like I usually read all their books

I have a lot of different reasons for reading books. Sometime it's just the cover, i.e. Hawksong by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. Sometimes it's the title, i.e. Cry to Heaven by Anne Rice. But mostly it's my friends recommendations that make me read books. i.e. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

All three books were great reads, I suggest them to anyone. :D

i usually read whatever my language arts teacher has on her shelf. shes a pretty cool lady, and keeps all the cool books.

I'm a sucker for a witty title. That's the first thing that catches my interest. I also like cool cover art, but will overlook it if the title is interesting to me. Then I read the back, or inside sleeve. If it sounds like a maybe, I usually give it a try.

If the book is by an author I'm familiar with then I just accept or reject based on my opinion of the author. That system doesn't always work out, but sometimes I'm in a hurry and need to make quick choices.

Also, I usually browse in the genres I'm interested in like YA fiction, fantasy and mysteries. I like recommendations, too. I'm on Goodreads and I like to read what other people say about the books.

Wow! Lots of things to cover to answer the first post fully. My dad used to buy a lot of Readers Digest when I was little and growing up. Also he bought condensed versions of all the classics. It was a deal where you would get one a month until you had the whole collection. When we were little they meant nothing to us except perhaps the Arabian Nights one which we enjoyed. So I didn't really start to read them until I got into high school. Mostly because we were given required reading assignments every summer and my brother and I discovered to our delight that all we had to do was grab the condensed version - read it- then answer the questions. Therefore we weren't forced to read every single book each summer. There are some I did read that I still remember to this day as some of the best books I've ever read (such as "The Good Earth"). While we were growing up my mother used to take us once a week to the library and my brother and I each picked up a book and returned the one we took out the week before. So I guess it instilled a natural love of reading that I still have today. As an adult I tried to always find the closest branch of library to my office so I could find good books to read on the subway back and forth to work and during my lunch break. Also I subscribed to the Science Fiction book of the month club. I did this mainly because each book has a synopsis on it and if I found one I liked I'd go to the library and take it out. (LOL!) What makes me want to read a book? I read the synopsis or the back cover or insert on the front sleeve. If it is able to grab me and pull me into the story or "feels" like it will then I take it out and read it. Usually I'm never disappointed that way. I like books that make me feel like I can escape to somewhere else and have an adventure - a book that grabs me and pulls me into its world.

I read for pop-culture reasons. It's nice to hear somebody drop a "big brother" or a "So it Goes" in public, and for me to understand what they are talking about.

I say don't judge a book by it's cover, because some of the best books I've read have little to their cover at all, and even worse summaries. I would go online somewhere, and find a list of top 50 books for your age group. If you say you read alot as a child, and your parents read alot as well, perhaps bump up that age level bar a little bit and choose one to your liking :]

You're biggest help is choosing a genre that interests you. ALOT of people love Stephen King, but I personally cannot stand the man. I cannot stand his writing style, or what his books are full with (I don't like him, does not mean I don't respect him though) and then there are authors like Chuck Palhaniuk and Kurt Vonnegut where no matter what they write, I will sit down, and enjoy it because of the weird semi sci-fi black satire feel they give off.

I didn't catch your age, I don't think you put it, but if you are still in high school, and want a real tear jerker, I recommend "The Perks of Being a Wallflower". It's such an emotional book, all around an awkward high school kid trying to fit in with society. And although I hated Holden Caulfield as a character personally, alot of younger readers enjoy "The Catcher in the Rye".

Hope I helped :D

i tend to wander around book stores a lot... and i usually go without knowing what i want... other then the next manga volume ;)... anyhoo... when i am wandering, i tend to let the book pick me... as weird as that sounds... i usually find the books i buy because they happen to be on an end display, or someone left it out on the counter, or it is sticking out of the shelf... sometimes it's as easy as the cover catching my eye... i have found lots of good books that way