How do you find a new author?

[sunstruck]

Usually, when I find an author I like I tear through everything they've ever written. If it is genre specific I park my ass in front of that genre shelf and read jackets until I either find an interesting summary or a review that compares the book to that of an author I like.

If I'm looking for something completely new I generally wander around the fiction wall untill I see something that catches my eye. A title or a cover usually. Silly way to pick a book but I don't really know another way.

I have a whole list of books recommended by friends, but they aren't always things I'm interested in.

So how do you do it?

 

[SilvaTungDevil]

Mostly friends turn me on to someone new. That, and the occasional draw from NPR. But like you, if I find somebody I like, I devour their body of work.

 

[Lasher]

I get a lot of books as gifts. It's rare that I get anything that's any damn good but if I do find an author I like I'll buy more.

Used book stores are a like a humane society for books. I'll go in and by piles and piles in the hopes of finding something worthwhile. All books should have good homes - unless they're "written" by celebrities.

Word of mouth sometimes helps, but I just have a feeling that most people say a book is good because they heard someone on TV say it was good.

Mostly it's just hit and miss and then riding an author until they bore me.

 

[April]

I very rarely delve into a new author. Heck, I've got books on my shelves I haven't read yet. And I bought them over a year ago. But the last time I did try someone new, I was in a used book store, trading in a bunch of books and looking for something to use the store credit on. I ended up with almost all the Tom Clancy books, and found a new author I really like.

 

[Norton77]

Book shop

I work in a bookshop, and have to deal with reps and publishers every day.
It gets harder and harder to take an author on artistic merit rather than the rep banging on about how well they have sold or the way that the novel in question really spoke to the rep I may be talking to.

So, generally, i take a book that seems intresting from the blurb on the back and read the first page.
Then read a page at random.
If you STILL want to read more, buy the book.
if the book is good, check out the author's other work.

I can suggest lots of good ones in my opinion, but taste varies!!

 

[Lasher]

I very rarely delve into a new author. Heck, I've got books on my shelves I haven't read yet. And I bought them over a year ago. But the last time I did try someone new, I was in a used book store, trading in a bunch of books and looking for something to use the store credit on. I ended up with almost all the Tom Clancy books, and found a new author I really like.

Any extra books can be sent to my house. I'll read'em, lol.

If you're reading the Jack Ryan books Clancy gets REALLY repetitive after Without Remorse, they're just the same story over and over and over after that.

 

[sunstruck]

Hmmm, maybe I should start a book recommendation thread? Is there already one? You know, name the book, what it's about and why you like it?

Oh, and used book stores rock. My house would be overflowing with paperbacks if not for a plethera (if that's not spelled right bite me) of used book stores on the Cape.

 

[Guest]

By reading the Literary supplement in the Sunday papers.

 

[Norton77]

Two books

1) The Princess Bride by William Goldman.
Very funny, highly inventive and MUCh better than the movie - and that was GREAT!

2) When the Wind Blows, by james Patterson
Nothing like his usual crime novels, this takes the concept of genetic engineering into the realms of fantasy and left me gasping for breath. The ending made me cry!

 

[April]

Okay, so you'd like The Celtic World, Europe: A History, Hitler's Willing Executioners, The Greatest Generation, and a bunch of others sent to your door? Done. Can't leave out Constantine's Sword. LOL

I really wish there were a used book store around here. The library sucks. I have more books than they do!

 

[Lasher]

I got Greatest Generation for Xmas from someone, lol.

Send the rest.

 

[Norton77]

Anne Rice?

Lasher - that an Anne Rice reference, or am I being obtuse?

 

[sunstruck]

Re: Two books

1) The Princess Bride by William Goldman.
Very funny, highly inventive and MUCh better than the movie - and that was GREAT!

I loved this book! It was just plain fun. I loved the author's self comemtary in the begining.

 

[Norton77]

Bride

Yeah, I liked the whole "This is an old story from when I was young...." and his film-making story.

And the ending left me screaming for a sequel...... Poor Fezzick!

 

[sunstruck]

Re: Anne Rice?

Lasher - that an Anne Rice reference, or am I being obtuse?

Nope, you're right. The Witching Hour was her best book.

 

[Lasher]

Re: Anne Rice?

Lasher - that an Anne Rice reference, or am I being obtuse?

Who's Anne Rice? She an author or something?

 

[Lasher]

Re: Re: Anne Rice?

Nope, you're right. The Witching Hour was her best book.

Dammit, let me play with him first.

 

[sunstruck]

Re: Re: Anne Rice?

Who's Anne Rice? She an author or something?

Dork.

 

[Lasher]

Re: Re: Re: Anne Rice?

Dork.

Hey, if they're gonna ask a stupid question...

 

[Norton77]

Interview With A Dork?

Hmm.

 

[Coca~Cola]

I like to wander around the BookCrossing site to find new authors.

http://www.bookcrossing.com/

It's a lot of fun. You can read reviews of books, maybe sign up and start releasing them. There was a contest book to read about every month or so, I haven't seen it in a while. I do hope they bring it back. If your interested in looking at my bookshelf, PM me and I'll send you my user name or a link.

CC

 

[SilvaTungDevil]

Re: Bride

Yeah, I liked the whole "This is an old story from when I was young...." and his film-making story.

And the ending left me screaming for a sequel...... Poor Fezzick!

Now I'm sucked in. I had to whip out my song, book, movie list and add it.

 

[Norton77]

Whip

You can whip out anything you like.





http://www.loschimpos.co.uk

 

[sunstruck]

I like to wander around the BookCrossing site to find new authors.

http://www.bookcrossing.com/

You win my favorite newbie of the month award. I've never even heard of that.

 

[Coca~Cola]

You win my favorite newbie of the month award. I've never even heard of that.

edited to add THANKS

If you are a book-aholic like I am you'll love it.