lovinmyboys Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I used to read quite a bit, but I have gotten out of the habit. I know lots of places to look for good kids books and I always have stacks of picture books and chapter books for my kids and our audible wish list is full of kids books. However, I don't really know how to look for books for myself. Do you have a good blog, website, or booklist that you use to get ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilma Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I love a blog called Modern Mrs. Darcy. It's not just a books blog, though this gal is a seriously avid reader. I have been introduced to several fantastic books that I'd otherwise never have known. Sent from my XT1094 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I choose a lot of books from the long and short lists of literary awards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I pick a row at the library. This week it was M and I came home with 4 books. I also like to put in a book I liked on Amazon and then look at the suggestions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Sometimes I discover them through following rabbit trails on Amazon. I might start by reading reviews of a book I like and wind up following a reviewer's list or if they recommend another book in the review. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Goodreads, the Book A Week thread here, book reviews, recommendations from friends, books I see on lists when I'm looking for literature for my high schoolers, browsing the library.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I read 95% of my stuff iny Kindle. I use Amazon's top 100 free and 2 daily e-mails of low cost and free books. I have found some real gems this way. I don't mind reading mostly fluff type stuff so this is great for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Amazon or I ask people here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hyacinth Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 The last four books I've read were mentioned here on the Chat Board's weekly reading thread. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I read pretty much exclusively on my Kindle. I have several ways to find books I want to read. -The Book a Week threads here -Sites like Book Riot and Flavorwire -I like the blog A Literary Odyssey for helping decide what classics I want to read -Goodreads - I belong to several groups there. While I'm only active in one, I browse the others to get ideas. There are so many possible groups and I joined a few that fit the genres I like. I rarely find something from the recommendations based on the books on my Goodreads lists. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 the Book A Week thread here ... The last four books I've read were mentioned here on the Chat Board's weekly reading thread. -The Book a Week threads here ... Here's a link to this week's thread. Come join the fun. Book a Week 2016 - BW10: bicycles, beaches and books Regards, Kareni 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalsummer Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 My mom is a librarian :) She just buys things on the Kindle or (when we lived near each other) brought them home from the library. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 They seem to appear in my house. I'm not even sure where they all came from. :huh: 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 They seem to appear in my house. I'm not even sure where they all came from. :huh: ... and then they mate! Regards, Kareni 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsuga Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Powell's lists, if I want to buy, or the library. I like to pick up a few of the librarian's picks at random, you know, whatever they put out. I've found some gems that way, or rather, I was cleverly guided to check out quality writing that way, by those sneaky librarians. Powell's March Madness for Book Lovers, woohoo: http://www.powells.com/tournament-of-books-2016 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Another GoodReads user. When you friend people you can have their reviews or updated reading lists come to your inbox. I like seeing what other people are reading and always find at least one book to put into my "want to read' pile. Also there's often some great book suggestions given right here. Just ask and people here are happy to share their favorite reads some many different genres. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 (edited) I wander around the library randomly picking books, usually based on the cover. If I like the opening paragraph, I'll take it home and try it out. If I don't like it past the first chapter, I return it. I don't bother with the description of the book on the inside cover. I need to see the writing style in the first paragraph. Sometimes on my library hunts I find practically nothing. Other times I go and come home with every book on the shelf, so I suppose it depends on my mood the day I go hunting. If I find an author I like, then I'll read all their books, though not all in a row. I start to get bored with their style if I read the same author for more than two books in a row (Harry Potter being the exception.). I'll read a book or two in between a favorite author so they keep their freshness to me. Edited March 12, 2016 by Garga 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
***** Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Good question. I can get all kinds of books for the kids, but have no idea how to find one for myself to read for enjoyment anymore! I read so many nonfiction parenting books! I rarely read for myself, but just read 'The Color of Water' by James McBride. I have no idea how I came to ordering this online at my library, but it was a very good book! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd293 Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I pick a row at the library. This week it was M and I came home with 4 books. I also like to put in a book I liked on Amazon and then look at the suggestions. Same here on both counts! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Library browsing mostly. I also belong to two book clubs. I've read many books through them that I never would have picked up otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Browsing at a larger bookstore generally - probably 95% come from this. I tend to buy them for my mom's birthday/Christmas, then she regifts them to me when she's done with them. :coolgleamA: Sometime recommendations from a friend (including those on here). The last one I just finished reading I bought because I loved an excerpt in Reader's Digest. Every now and then I'll search via Amazon, but it's more difficult for me to find things there than my basic "hands on" method with a larger bookstore - esp if that bookstore also has slightly older books. I tend to prefer travel and culture related non-fiction. Those don't always make anyone's "best" list ('cept mine). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristie in Florida Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 All writers of the blogs I follow post what they are reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I used to read more, too. I really wanted to start up again, so, like many others on this thread, I joined the Book A Week thread! It's so fun--even if you are just beginning to get into or back into the habit of reading, they are very accepting and encouraging! Lots of wonderful recommendations, and great commentary on what they see in the books they've read. Some people read the same things and then discuss, each coming in with a pithy note or two. Some have totally different tastes than I do--how interesting to hear their perspectives, which often leads to interest in things I'd never pick up on my own. People also just basically list, and then say what they liked or didn't (I'm much more in that catagory and I've only posted a couple of times). Join in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheres Toto Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I am a frequent reader of old favorites. This year I'm doing a book challenge. I found 50 categories on Pinterest, then searched Good Reads for books that fit. I am signed up for two daily emails of free/cheap kindle books. A few have been good and I've gone on to read the series (Cinder is one), but others are really lame. I can't stand when they give a few chapters free, and then end it on a cliffhanger. I wouldn't mind if it was noted that way but 85 pages is not even a complete book. :glare: I guess I shouldn't complain because it's free but it feels like a con. A lot of the free stuff is fluffy romance (which I'm fine with) or 50 shades of grey knock-offs (not my thing), or supernatural (which I like). I'm reading the descriptions much more carefully now, checking for cliffhangers, # of pages (I don't mind a decent length book that ends in a cliffhanger), and the reviews which often note if you barely get any story before it ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 (edited) I know which book award winners work for me: Man Booker Prize, almost every single time. National Book Award and National Critics circle (?) never. Basically if the book has a sticker with "national" *on it I avoid. *anything by George Saunders excepted. Edited March 12, 2016 by madteaparty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjeepa Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Another vote for the blog Modern Mrs. Darcy along with her very fun podcast What Should I Read Next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 There's a tiny thrift store on the PA-NY border. The adult book section is basically 3 shelves and a table. They're all twenty-five cents. I've loved every book. I feel like it's my own little secret spot. In my mind I've conjured up a crazy story about a person who has the exact reading tastes as me, who donates them just before I get there, and who I'd love to meet.Which PA/NY border? Do tell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Book discussions here, notes from bloggers about books they've read, notes from Goodreads about what my friends there are reading. Wafting around Amazon. I love to read book reviews. (I giggled at the above suggestion to input all of your books on Goodreads in order to get suggestions -- I have several hundred books on my Goodreads shelves, and have only made it through the kitchen, my bedroom, most of the Kindle, and the upper part of the family room shelves -- it will be YEARS to finish the task, and thousands of books.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Good reads, Amazon, NPR list (my library keeps this), NYT best sellers list, wandering the library or bookstore. If I like a book, I see what else the author has written. Occasionally I'll post a thread on here looking for suggestions, and I steal ideas from other people's similar threads. What type of books do you enjoy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 (edited) Oh and anytime I hear of a book I think sounds remotely interesting, I add it to my Amazon wish list. Edited March 12, 2016 by Rach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFG Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I wander around the library randomly picking books, usually based on the cover. If I like the opening paragraph, I'll take it home and try it out. If I don't like it past the first chapter, I return it. I don't bother with the description of the book on the inside cover. I need to see the writing style in the first paragraph. Sometimes on my library hunts I find practically nothing. Other times I go and come home with every book on the shelf, so I suppose it depends on my mood the day I go hunting. If I find an author I like, then I'll read all their books, though not all in a row. I start to get bored with their style if I read the same author for more than two books in a row (Harry Potter being the exception.). I'll read a book or two in between a favorite author so they keep their freshness to me. Can I admit I am a sucker for cover art? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Sometime I hear about them on NPR, or read about them in the NYT. Sometimes I plug in the name of a book I like or period of history I'm into at the moment into sites online that recommend books. Sometimes I randomly find them at garage sales or antique stores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleEJ Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I get a ton of good books from a podcast called books on the nightstand. It's is great and they have a good website as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I use Goodreads too. I have a ridiculous number of books on my to-read shelf. More than I'll ever be able to actually read. And I add more every day. I also get recommendations from my book club friends, who read even more than I do, which is saying something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Oh, I do get recommendations from IRL friends, but while I have a number of friends who read we mostly all like different genres. There are two friends I have crossover genres with and we usually know if a book we're reading is something the others would like. I also stalk their Goodreads pages, as well as the Goodreads pages of other friends. I'm in an IRL book club, which gives me a new book to read every month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbecueMom Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Book a Week thread and references/crossovers in fan fiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Hibernating at Barnes & Noble :). They have new books on shelves before the libraries get their copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 In the book threads here quite a bit! Then the titles lead to bunny trails of related books on Amazon or Goodreads. Also, I find a lot through following my library on Facebook! They have a "Night Owl" chat about books throughout the week at 9 p.m. Lots of reading friends and family give me recommendations, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbi in Texas Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Another WTM thread for my favorites!! I have a big list and a lot of the titles came from threads on here. Some I get from browsing bookstores. One year I had a "Book a day" calendar, so a lot of titles came from there. One can never have too big of a book list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopmom Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 Whatever I can grab off the "new books" shelf in the library while I'm waiting to pick up my reserves & wrangling the kids;) Or, I read what my oldest suggests after he reads good stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pink and Green Mom Posted March 12, 2016 Share Posted March 12, 2016 I use this blog to get ideas: http://www.literaryhoarders.com/book-reviews/ I have no idea how I came across these ladies but they have very similar book tastes to mine, so I go there for the majority of my picks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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