How do you pick a book to read.
 

When you are at the library or at the book store. How do you know if you will read it or not. What has to stand out in the book for you to read it? Is the phrase don't judge a book by its cover true? or is it what makes you decide to read it?

I know some people pick books for wierd reasons so tell me what they are?

What about the authors name does that affect it. Or the title of the book.

Does it matter whether its paperback or hard cover?

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When i pick a Book i look at the title first and then if it has a good title i look at the cover. And then i look at the summary and by then i can usually tell whether i like it. I cant force myself to read something that doesn't spark my interest as soon as i look at it or i will never read it.

Shiny covers *blushes* Is the primary attraction, then I read the blurb, and then I go "OOOH I know that author!"

Recommendations! I will primarily seek out books that others have recommended or have said were good. The few times I've picked out my own books, I've been left disappointed. The summary sounds great, the cover looks nice, and the story... blows. Books that I know someone else has liked and someone whom I know has similar tastes as me, I'll definitely read theirs. I also will check out the Barnes & Nobles recommendation list, they've not lead me wrong yet.

Books by an author I've already read is another way. Margaret Weiss, for example. I'm working on reading all of her works because out of over a dozen books of hers I've read so far, there's only been 1 I didn't like.

I do tend to judge books by their covers, unfortunately... I love shiny covers or ones with pretty pictures. They catch my eye right away. I can't help it >.<

I normally have a lot of books that I already know that I want to read that I haven't gotten around to actually buying yet, so I very rarely actually have to look up books that I haven't heard of before.

The cover and title and such are normally what I notice first if I'm just randomly looking through books. I sometimes like to go through the aisles of bookstores, especially when they're having sales, and look at whatever catches my eye. I always read the descriptions and such, and base my decision on whether or not to read it on that.

I also look up books sometimes online and hear about books that I decide to read from others online, and occasionally from friends in real life.

I'll normally read basically anything, though, as long as it's interesting.

Usually I suppose, either the cover or the title appeal to me first. However I always read the back to see the basic plot of the book. Then if it appeals I'll purchase it, but lately I have found that even doing that, I sometimes end up with a book I never finish, or just skim through to be finished with it.

That being the case, I believe I shall start to read the first few pages before making my decision. It's awful if I've actually bought the book and found it lacking, although that's where the library system comes in, so that I can just 'borrow' the book instead, without having to pay out of pocket. If I enjoyed it enough then I'll try and get a copy of my own somehow from somewhere.

Covers catch my attention. I haven't started reading it yet, but aside from my friend recommending the Luxe series, I wanted it mainly because the dresses on the covers are just soooo pretty. I've also noticed that most of my books have relatively short titles. Nothing more than a few words. But when I'm actually buying a book, I pick it up, read whatever summary they give and read a few paragraphs.

I pick out books much the same way, though if I'm thinking of reading a book that I haven't heard of before and that isn't by a familiar author, I'll read the first paragraph or first page to see whether I like the writing style and the subject. If there's a summary of sorts on the book jacket, I read that first to see whether the story/subject would interest me.

I usually go by the cover first. If the publishers haven't put effort into the cover, then I don't bother with it. That goes with anything. Novels, autobiographies, mangas, everything. It has to make me stop and go "Oooooohhh, wassat?" -touchietouchie-

Then, I might buy the book if I like the summary or first few pages. ^^

I'm a sucker for amazing titles. If the title sounds interesting, original or exciting I will more than likely end up reading it. haha That and the summaries on the back of the book add interest.

For me, there are multiple ways that I get attracted. Firstly, word of mouth. If I hear alot about a certain author, then I'll take the time to look at some of their stuff. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't. Usually, if the first or second page doesn't hook me- chances are the rest of the book won't. Second, I find books by random. I'll go to different parts of the library and just peruse through it, looking for interesting titles or covers, then read the first page and see if it catches my attention long enough for me to want to read it. And thirdly, if it deals with a topic that I deeply care about- then I'll read it. Like, if it's historical fiction(I've read historical fiction simply because it's about favourite figures like Joan of Arc, Alexander the Great to name a couple) then I'll definately read it. Or mythology. Just about anything involving mythology. Except the Percy Jackson series. I avoid that like the plague.

I am attracted to certain books for many reasons... I typically look for a catchy title or artwork different from the typical cover to catch me eye and then read the summary to see if it interests me. If it does, read the first page before buying just to make sure. Will admit there have been about three books I have bought just to have the cover artwork to look at. I also go by recommendations fairly often. The recommendations rarely dissatisfy me.

There are a few things that I look at when looking for a book to read. As of right now the size of it is very important. While liking to read larger sized books, since they tend to last longer I can't do that anymore because the strains of college. However, if college didn't exist, and sometimes I wish it didn't, the cover would be a sure win for me. I also only read a few authors that I really know. I also listen to the recommendation of younger people. I listen to the brother's and sister's of my friends and those that are in highschool because they have the time to be reading the books that aren't of the college variety.

I would like to say that I'm completely unaffected by the covers, but it wouldn't be true. It's impossible not to judge a book by its cover at least a little bit.
I'm guilty of buying a book once because the cover looked amazing. It turned out ot be rubbish, actually >_<

Lols.. close your eyes.. put your hand out.. pull one off the shelf. (:
Jk..
I just look at the covers.. sorta..
The titles are what have to grab my attention.
If a certain title grabs my attention, I'll pull the book off the shelf.
Look at it. Examine it ahaha
Read the back
Read the summary..
If it sounds interesting, I'll get it and read it.

I'm kind of picky with my books - if they aren't a certain length, or have the words/pictures of blood, vampires, fangs, or anything remotely related to screaming fangirls, I don't bother with them. I usually only read classics anyway, so as far as modern novels go...I'm not very educated in 'good' fiction.

For me the cover of a book can have a lot to do with whether or not I read it. It doesn't always determine if I read it or not but it is definitely a contributing factor. I especially love to pause occasionally while in the middle of a book to look at the cover art and see what sorts of things I can identify on the cover that I have read about in the book. Sometimes I get to the end and I look back at the cover and only then realize "OH! that's what that is!" (I love that part of reading a book =3)

Also though I look to see if it is part of a series. I like to get really attached with the characters in books so the longer the series the better.

Of course though, the biggest factor in choosing a book for me is if the summary catches my interest right away or not. I don't think I've ever chosen or not chosen a book for the name of the author though.

The way I pick out a book is through recommendations, requirements, familiar authors, and themes to books. The cover really doesn't affect weather I read the book or not.

The cover is about 33% of it. The blurb on the back is another 33%. The last 33% is the title. Lame/uninteresting/cliche title=probably not going to read unless it's to laugh at it.
I once read a book titled 'mermaids'. The book had NOTHING to do with mermaids. And the funny thing is, my mom had read the same book and had the same reaction. (albeit many years before me)

Recommendations are important to me. If someone recommends it to somebody, not necessarily me, and it sounds good, then I'll try searching it out. (Actually, that was in there just because of this forum, which has added at least 2 series and a solo novel to my lists, all of which I liked lol. so thanks, Mene!) When I'm picking my own book, it's the cover and title, mostly. If it's in a series I like, I avoid the summary and get it, otherwise, the summary and sometimes the pages are what I look at. Then, of course, I check it out :D

The name and the cover are usually what I look at. If the name and cover are interesting and well presented then I'll pick it up. I also look for authors that friends have recommened. Oh and coloured pages like the skulldugger pleasent series. :) XD

If I'm not shopping for something specific, but just browsing, then it's either the title or the cover that's going to grab my attention first. Depending on whether I'm just seeing the spines of the books - when it's mainly going to be the title that hast to get my attention - or the cover - I look for things that are within my interest range.

If the title/cover has sufficiently captured my attention enough for me to pick it up, then I flip it over and read the blurb. Sometimes this is helpful, sometimes it is not. Half the time in either case I'll then flip it open to some random spot between the first third and the last third of the book and just start reading a random paragraph.

I usually don't have to sample more than a paragraph or two to see if the writer's story style suits me. If the content seems interesting or I need more confirmation - as in, do I reeeeally want to spend money on this... - then I'll pick a few more random pages to see what things are about.


So if the main question is do I judge a book by it's cover? Answer = NO. But it does help in my selection process. I'm sure there's plenty of books out there that are fantastic that I've never read because it just didn't advertise itself enough when I was standing in front of it. XD