Two questions about selecting your books.
Pooch asks:
Overall, what factor most influences your choice of your next read?
Sefcug asks:
What is it that makes you want to read a book by an author you have never read before?
I’ve been reading a lot more Catholic books since last July for my ACNM column. I don’t review Catholic or other Christian books exclusively, but I know those will appeal to our readers. When I choose another book, I have to make sure it has an easily approachable Catholic angle. It can feel a little restrictive sometimes, but I try to pace my reading so that I can also fit in books I want to read just because I want to read them. And it gives me a reason to read some books I should have already read.
With my pleasure reading, I will give almost any YA a chance. I’ve gotten a lot of recommendations from Goodreads or my college friend Sarah. I recently purchased Unwind from the former recommendations and Delirium from the latter. I don’t read Forever Young Adult anymore (I got too depressed reading reviews of books I knew I’d never have time for), but they liked Delirium, too. I’m optimistic, but I am a little bewildered at the size of the paperback. It might as well be an inexpensive hardcover!
August 4th, 2012 7:22 am
I have a longstanding list of books I’ve always wanted to read- usually grouped by author, if I’ve read another book I liked by a certain author. Goodreads is a Godsend for organizing books! If I hear about a title, I’ll spend a few minutes reading reviews before adding it to my to-read list. That way I don’t forget the title or author of “that book so-and-so-recommended”.
I’m a little picky when it comes to what I’ll read. I do read a lot of Catholic or Christian books, though not by default. I tend towards Chesterton, Greene, Tolkien, and Waugh when all else fails.
For me, reading reviews/synopses is a crucial part of the decision process. I simply don’t want to be stuck with an overly sexualized or dumbed-down piece of literature! And unfortunately there’s a lot of that out there. Contemporary fiction is totally hit or miss. (Funny story- my mother-in-law, not having heard of 50 Shades of Grey before, asked me if I wanted it for my Kindle. I hadn’t heard of it at the time either, so I quickly jumped online to do some research. My response was pretty much “um… I don’t think that sounds like a book I’d read.” And I left it at that!)
Great topic. I love your blog!
August 4th, 2012 8:17 pm
I can’t believe you and your mother-in-law hadn’t heard about 50 Shades! Half of the complaining I do about it is just getting the information out there! :)