Choosing the right book?

[Nyx]

So you walk in the library (or bookstore) and you want a good book to read. How do you choose one that you know you'll enjoy? Everyone does this differently, so let's discuss some ways of choosing the right book(s):)

[Andy]

When I walk into a library, I usually know what I want to get in advance, either from other people telling me, or because something on the internet caught my curiosity.

[Nyx]

Well, I sometimes have no idea what book I want, I just browse through the rows until something catches my eye. This sometimes results in me reading something really amazing or something truely worthless...

[Andy]

Whenever I try that way, I usually end up laughing at the absurd book covers I see, or searching the shelves near books I'm familiar with, like Tolkien or Star Wars.

[Nyx]

Well it helps me go out of the usual style of books I read a bit. Sometimes I read books that none of my friends have heard of but the book turns out to be amazing.

[Rafael Domination]

A nice, flashy cover helps...that's actually proven, y'know?

The feel of the book's texture, the font of the book, the cover, what's written at the back all contributeA LOT to making it popluar, did you know that? I read it somewhere...can't remember...

Personally, spoilers make things interesting for me...

[Tncowgirl]

I read the back of books and look at the covers. If I go into our book store I normally go sit in front of the teen section and look at all the books. At the library it is different. I usually know what I want.

[Shaun]

I'll be honest: I haven't borrowed a book from a library in almost 8 years. I support libraries because I know a lot of people like them, but to be honest I rarely get a chance to read older books anymore--pre-2006. I'm mostly reading books being printed now or around now since I do review for publishers. I don't even remember how I picked books back when I did go to the library. I've only actually been reading regularly in the last couple of years when I realize how much I liked writing.

As for how I pick books in the store:
I usually have an idea what I'm interested in when I go, but if I don't I start with the cover. If the cover catches my eye, I'll pick up the book and read the back. If the back looks good, I read some random page in the book to see if I like the author's style, and then if I'm still interested I'll buy it. It's sad, but covers can really sell me on a book. If a book has a crappy cover, I won't even look at it. I've missed out on all the Gaiman (Gaimen?) books because I hate the covers. Mainstream covers bore me, and dorky, cartoony looking genre covers look idiotic.

But that's me :P

[Nyx]

Aww.. But I love "dorky, cartoony looking genre covers". :P

[Shaun]

I think they're good when it fits the story, but if the story is really serious, a dorky cartoon genre cover just ruins things. You have an expectation for what's inside by looking at what's outside...

[Nyx]

Oh that's understandable. I like the dorky, cartoon-ish covers when the books is much the same:a light read with funny cartoon-ish images..:)