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Tuesday, January 31, 2006
How do you decide which books to buy?
What makes you choose one book and pass on another?
I was in the bookstore yesterday to drop of bookmarks and magnets for a signing and, of course, I simply had to check out all the new books. After picking up the automatic buys from my favorite authors, I browsed through the other new titles. As I checked out the covers, read the back-cover copy and excerpts, I started wondering how everyone else chooses which books to buy. Let's face it, we all have a budget and can only spend so much on books. So what makes you choose which books you buy? Is it the cover that grabs you first? Does the back-cover copy have to grab you? How important is the excerpt? Do recommendations from the bookstore impact your decision? Is it the line that you buy? (i.e., Silhouette Desires are always on my list because I know the stories are about today's men and women, facing many of today's problems. They're fast-paced, well-written, powerful and passionate.) What about continuities? Do you buy all books in continuity series or just the ones by your must-have authors? So how do you choose?
For me, I guess it's a bit of all these things. Usually, the cover catches my eye first and then I check out the storyline. If it intrigues me, I read the excerpt to help me decide. Of course, I usually grab the books the store clerk recommends. I also am always on the lookout for new authors and try to support them by buying a book. Even if it's not a story that appeals to me, if I know someone that I think would like it, I pick it up. So how about you? What's your criteria when purchasing a book?
posted by Metsy Hingle at 9:07 AM
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3 Comments:
Kiki said...
I'm a cover snob myself. I go for titles a lot of the time (often ones I only catch out of the corner of my eye). I'll often find myself re-reading the same back cover blurb because I like the title/cover, but don't care for the blurb.
I never read first chapters in the shop, but I might open a page at random and read it to see voice. And there, anything that snags will make me put the book down again.
It means I end up with a lot of pretty random books, but it usually works for me. I have certain title hot words that I instantly avoid.
oh, and sales will make me take a second look, too. I just can't resist a sign saying "I'm cheeeeaaaap, you need to rescue me!"
3:02 AM
Metsy Hingle said...
Kiki--
I forgot all about the title! Titles grab me, too. In fact, I've always thought the title of a book is important. So I hate it when I have to change one for editorial reasons. In fact, I've had so many changed over the years, half the time I submit an idea and give them several titles to choose from since my original title usually gets cut.
6:11 PM
Goddess said...
Occupations drag me in. If it's something exotic like wildlife/jungle photographer, I'll pass because usually those types of books end up being more of a travelogue than a romance. BUT if it's a COP or a small town sheriff, I'll buy it PRONTO;)
4:52 PM
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