Why Do You Read A Book?

[R Nitelight]

Subject matter?
Review?
Blurb?
Word of mouth?
Pretty cover?
Oprah?

 

[Sparky Kronkite]

I'm addicted to the touch of......

paper.

 

[nitengale]

Subject matter?
Review?
Blurb?
Word of mouth?
Pretty cover?
Oprah?

All of the above except the pretty cover thing.

I love reading...I wish I could read more than I do!! Now if I could only get the kids to read more.

 

[April]

Why? Subject matter and author. I have a bunch of favorite authors, and whenever they come out with something new, I have to read it. And I like the smell and feel of books.

 

[willywanker]

My choice of books is usually based on the author. I'm a big Tom Clancy and John Grisham fan and will try to make time to read one of their books as soon as it hits the shelves.

I get in trouble at home when I read, though. I tend to bury myself in a book, not hearing when someone speaks, loosing track of time, reading in the the early hours of the next day. Reading is escapism for me. Kind of like posting on these boards. Hmmmmm, self analysis. Time to exit, stage left.

 

[Beebeeblue]

Right now Im reading The Brethren by John Grisham. Usually, I buy anything Stephen King, Im a true fan of his. Once and awhile its Robin Cook, or Dean Koontz.

No, its not the pretty covers, word of mouth or any of that. I just like a book that keeps me spellbound. If I can't read it and picture what they are telling of at the same time, I put the book down, and don't pick it back up.

 

[Isolde]

It depends upon what kind of mood I am in as to what subject matter I pick. Though I am partial to fantasy.

Once I know what I want to read, I go through and read the blurbs on the covers to see what catches my attention. Except for a few exceptions, authors have very little to do with my decision.

 

[Ask For More]

I'll read almost anything if it sounds good. Expect for period stuff and slushy woman's book because i find them incredibly boring...
I have a few favourite authors but I'm always looking for new ones.

Probably my favourite books would be sci-fi and crime novels because of the intricately constructed plots. Granted, most sci-fi is absolute rubbish and consists of ship A shooting down ship B with the multi proton-electron-anti-reality laser and so forth. But the really great sci-fi can match any prize winning book!

 

[TygerEyez]

To hold up, hide my comic books in, and pretend that I'm actually a sane-minded, scolastically blessed, geek type person.

Doesn't everybody?!

 

[Amaretto]

Usually because of the author (Harry Turtledove, Spider Robinson, Robert Heinlein, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Larry Niven, John Varley, Harlan Ellison, John Douglas) Occasionally because of subject matter (autism, true crime, space exploration, biography, porn)
And, yes, dammit, several times because of Oprah. She has pretty good taste, but I'm still thoroughly unimpressed with Maya Angelou.

 

[indyweasel]

Becuase my wife wont let me put a computer in the bedroom??

 

[Simply Me]

To have an excuse to take a bubble bath. Actually, I've been an avid reader since I was a young girl. I'm a romantic at heart and love Danielle Steel, also love mystery and suspense. One of my favorite books was " In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote. Sent chills down my spine.
I love the ability to lose myself in a novel. The writer has done his/her job if the characters become real to me and I care about the outcome. I admire all writers and their imagination.

 

[DevilMayCare]

I love to read, though when I get absorbed on the board I often ignore the books next to my bed.

I just read a book by an author, Chester HImes, whose biography was discussed on the radio. Based on the interview with the author of the biography I knew I had to read Himes' books. So I went to the library and searched the catalogue.

I visit the library regularly and check two sections. The first is called "Staff Recommendations." I've been introduced to some wonderful books and authors who were new to me. When I find an author I enjoy I invariably read everything he or she has written.

The second place I look at the library is the section with new books. I'll check reviews on back covers and perhaps begin reading it to see if I like the writer's style.

Occasionally, I'll browse in a book store but virtually never buy a book there. I have access to three local libraries and its easy to get everything I want if I'm willing to wait.

I note winners of prizes, like the National Book Award, Pulitzer, Booker, Whitfield, Robert Penn Warren and will look for books by those authors. Usually the book that won the prize will be in such demand that I must wait for it. But earlier books by the same author are generally available and I have an opportunity to become familiar with their work before I read the prized book.

Finally, I welcome recommendations from friends. http://cwm.ragesofsanity.com/otn/happy/book.gif (Great smiley cimbidia, I simply had to "plagiarize" it! )

 

[Weird Harold]

I'll check reviews on back covers and perhaps begin reading it to see if I like the writer's style.

One thing I've noticed over the years, is the more reviews and accolades there are on the cover, the less likely I am to enjoy the book. I'm more likely to choose a book that simply has a good synopsis on the cover over one that has a one paragraph "blurb" followed by a dozen or more rave reviews.

I rationalize this observation as the "more reviews, the less chance the book can stand on it's own."

 

[Juliangel]

Subject matter?
Review?
Blurb?
Word of mouth?
Pretty cover?
Oprah?

I have several authors that I love to read and will pick up their books without even reading what they are about.

Reviews and word of mouth mean little to me because everyone has different tastes.

I do not think I have ever read an Oprah book club book.

When I am browsing through the book store I do think the cover art helps decide if I pick up a book and read the blurb by an author I do not usually read.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

To disappear.

I browse barnes and noble, I could spend hours in that store.

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[CoolCucumber]

I read a book because the back cover gets me interested. If it can't, the book probably won't.
-CoolCucumber

 

[Weevil]

It'll depend on how nice the pictures are and if they look difficult to color.

 

[Ticklish Girl]

I'm partial to certain genres, such as true crime, horror, and suspense. Once I start to browse those sections in the bookstore (or on Amazon), I look for new stuff by the authors I enjoy, and I check out the back covers of books that look intriguing. I also rely on reviews or friends' recommendations to turn me on to new authors. My brother has similar literary tastes, and he always tips me off to new writers. He has not steered me wrong yet! He's the one who got me into Dennis Lehane and Ridley Pearson. Good to know he's good for something, LOL.

 

[Temptress_1960]

Subject matter?
Review?
Blurb?
Word of mouth?
Pretty cover?
Oprah?

Subject matter.. yes, that is a good reason.

Review? no way.

Blurb? Definitely. It has to capture my interest.

Word of mouth? Depends on whose mouth the word is coming from.

Pretty cover??? not a chance.

Oprah.... well, actually, I find her choices a bit depressing.

I read for escapism. Give me a hot steamy romance, or a suspenseful mystery, or a good fantasy/sci fi story. There are certain authors whose books I will always read, and others whose books I will always avoid. I want entertainment... and if the author can't entertain me and pull me into their story, I don't want to waste my time on their book.

I also read to learn. And in those cases, it depends on the subject. I love biographies, true crime, cookbooks, and a whole lot of other somewhat eclectic subjects.

There are books I reread year after year, and some of those I have been reading since childhood... like Louisa May Alcott's books, the entire Tarzan series, and many others.

But my main focus... is entertainment and escapism. I don't want to read an Oprah book that I have to think about character motivations, and things like that. I want something enjoyable.