How Do You Choose Books to Buy?

Question

When selecting a novel to buy, please rank the most important factors in your choice (I intentionally left out price, and feel free to leave a factor out if it has no bearing on your decision).

1. Like the author
2. Like the cover (front)
3. Like the cover (summary on the back)
4. Like the first five pages
5. Author or book recommended by a friend or trusted source
6. Like the genre (Sci-Fi, Romance, etc.)

And finally, please tell me what genre you read most.

Answer 1

1. If the Library has it or not
2. The price
3. How much I want to read it
4. Writing style
5. How many times I will read it
6. Whether I read it and liked it
7. Cover
8. Genre
9. Recommendations

Answer 2

3(summary)
1(author)
5(recommended)
6(genre)
2(front-honestly I know what they say, but if there is a newer version of the same book with a "prettier" cover, I might have ignored the book before but the aesthetics of the cover might catch my eye, and if I am going to buy a book that I know has several printings, I'll go out of my way to find the "prettier" cover...)
4(first 5 pages-this is just the last thing that usually happens, and I've heard to give a book 50 pages, I kind of like that rule of thumb)

I read fiction in general the most, but can be persuaded to read a good non-fiction book. (probably because I've been a student for so long, I just like to escape!) I mostly read fantasy, but also read some best sellers and stuff recommended by others. I'd try just about anything. I'm trying to read more literature, but it's kind of slow going...

Answer 3

When I'm buying a book:
1.) (4) Like the first five pages
2.) (1) Like the author
3.) (2) Like the cover - front
4.) (5) Author/book recommended
5.) (3) Like the cover - summary on back
6.) (6) Like the genre

But, generally what first attracts my attention to a particular book is (first) the author, and (second) the cover art. After noticing the book, I'll read the first few pages and usually make a decision from that. If a book has been recommended to me, I'll try to keep an eye out for it, but I won't stand there and peruse the shelves for it. The reason I have the summary so low on the list is because I don't trust back-cover summaries - they usually don't paint an adequate picture of the story.

The genre that I read most is.... hmm... fantasy? horror? mystery? contemporary fiction? history?
I don't think that I read just one genre "most". =)

Answer 4

1, 3, 4*, 5.
* I read both the first 5 pages & the last paragraph.

What genre? Gods you don't ask for anything easy. I tend to keep the Fantasy/ Sci-Fi/Horror/Romance novels I read. But I read a lot more serious medieval fiction.

Answer 5

In rank:

3
6
4
1
2
5

Romance. And Sci-Fi. About 50-50

Answer 6

No with the aid of fact i take advantage of the library. **i'm a e book nerd...i flow to aim and examine some books in many cases if i'm addicted to the 1st financial ruin I write down the identify and author and examine them out on the library. The library has a lot of volunteers that like to help after 2 or three times you get the carry of the equipment and can discover them your self.

Answer 7

i don't buy a book unless i have already read it and know that i will read it again. for instance... harry potter, of course i bought the latest books but only after knowing that i loved the series and would read them continually thru my life. i actually own very few books. the complete harry potter set and twilight, new moon and eclipse by stephenie meyer. the library is my best friend.

i don't limit myself to one genre of books. i don't read non fiction but i will read any type of fiction as long as the author writes in a style that i like. right now i'm on a sci-fi / fantasy kick.

Answer 8

2. even though your not supposed to judge a book by its cover
3. because its an outline of the book telling me if i will like it
1. if i like the author i will probably like her other books
6. because i can tell if its my type of thing
4. though my source still isn't me so not so sure
5. is last because once i pick up a book i cant put it down
I will read anything fiction but i love vampire romance

Answer 9

1
3
5
4
6
2

I generally read fiction (mystery any other type of fiction that grabs my attention) or non-fiction (current events, sociology books-not textbooks,of course-and political books). It's about a 50/50 split between these two; I try to alternate.

Answer 10

all 6 have in diff ways. usually read fantasy more then any other genre lately.