Interesting themes, relatable characters, twists and turns – a storyline that isnt completely predictable. A story that isnt like a hundred others out there. Sorry…. I couldn’t just pick one ?
lol. Being in a bookclub. That has certainly introduced me to some awesome ‘new’ authors that I’d not read before – like the book thief, the forgotten garden, the literary and potato peel pie society, lost threads etc – and well as some authors that I now know to steer clear of!
Strong and intelligent female lead who has overcome or is overcoming significant obstacles to lead a life of her choice. Her life should not revolve around getting a man to love her. Even better if she does something physical like skate/fight/dance. And I love tastefully written smut like Sarah J Maas, Grace Draven, Mariana Zapata. And zero things done to her against her consent by any other character that’s not the villain.
I read from unknown authors all the time! Factors:
– Title (intriguing or no? gimmicky or no?)
– Cover art never makes me read a book but it sometimes makes me *not* read one (specifically, CG of sexualized fantasy women–I enjoy fantasy novels but HATE hate hate ones that have cover art like that)
– then blurb, reviews, sample of the book on my Kindle, and it eventually passes the gauntlet ?
If I find a book on a list in goodreads or a blog, and it’s being recommended I’m more likely to read it. As long as the synopsis sounds interesting to me I’ll read it. I read books from unknown authors often. One of my personal reading goals this year is to read more by independently published and lesser known authors.
If it has good reviews, I check into it further. But, most of my choices come from Amazon reccomendations. They see what I put on wish lists and then tell me other books I might like if I liked a specific one. They are almost never wrong. My tbr list is insane.
If I see a synopsis which tells me if I like Agatha Christie I will love a new author, I will read one of their books. I found Ruth Ware’s books this way!!
I like to try new different books, but I make sure I read a few reviews (without spoilers) on Goodreads and then I look up the premises of the story and that’s it.
I don’t always go by reviews because sometimes if there is a bad review and a good one it’s all about genre tastes? If I also dont know them, I will try on audiobook and if it’s boring as heck, I can return it and get back my credit.
@Amber you will love it even more. Sadly only one more book in this series but there is a character in this book I want her to write about. Loved the person.
Usually highly recommended from a friend…sometimes an interesting cover will draw me in, but will only read if the synopsis is interesting too. I’ll check a synopsis if a favourite author recommends too.
I pick up new to me authors all the time. If I can get the first book for about .99 in ebook form to check it out or get it from my library I’ll check it out. I’ll also grab free books from bookbub
If its fantasy or sci-fi, got a good blurb and I like the premise from the first chapter, if I like the cover (i know you cant judge a book by its cover but its always a factor)
i actually look for debut novels by aspiring authors…I don’t believe publishers and publishing companies would go to the expense of printing the books of a new author if they didn’t feel they would appeal to the readers..I have discovered many new authors doing this whose writing I now follow religiously…
Boredom. If I’m sick of reading the same recycled story over and over, I’ll pick up something random that I wouldn’t usually read. Most of the time I find that I like the random book. Either that or I get sent a free ebook to review which could be literally anything.
Interesting story and free – like the 24 hr special offers on Amazon. I have found a couple of cool authors that way that I now stalk (for new stuff) and buy all their books
The book is written in a genre that I enjoy
Interesting themes, relatable characters, twists and turns – a storyline that isnt completely predictable.
A story that isnt like a hundred others out there.
Sorry…. I couldn’t just pick one ?
lol. Being in a bookclub. That has certainly introduced me to some awesome ‘new’ authors that I’d not read before – like the book thief, the forgotten garden, the literary and potato peel pie society, lost threads etc – and well as some authors that I now know to steer clear of!
Strong and intelligent female lead who has overcome or is overcoming significant obstacles to lead a life of her choice. Her life should not revolve around getting a man to love her.
Even better if she does something physical like skate/fight/dance.
And I love tastefully written smut like Sarah J Maas, Grace Draven, Mariana Zapata.
And zero things done to her against her consent by any other character that’s not the villain.
As long as the blurb sounded interesting—my kind of interesting.
@Jai what’s your kind of interesting?
I’m not sure exactly. But it always gets me intrigued when the protagonist(s) is/are described as clever or cunning and kind of morally gray I guess?
Reviews and recommendations❤️
Good reviews for a thriller ??
Cover and review
The synopsis and the cover. Most my books were once an author unknown to me.
When I see WW2 at the back of the book, I take it immediately.
I read from unknown authors all the time! Factors:
– Title (intriguing or no? gimmicky or no?)
– Cover art never makes me read a book but it sometimes makes me *not* read one (specifically, CG of sexualized fantasy women–I enjoy fantasy novels but HATE hate hate ones that have cover art like that)
– then blurb, reviews, sample of the book on my Kindle, and it eventually passes the gauntlet ?
Anything set in ancient Egypt.
Agreed. Have you read “The Egyptologist” by Arthur Phillips? A great read
If I find a book on a list in goodreads or a blog, and it’s being recommended I’m more likely to read it. As long as the synopsis sounds interesting to me I’ll read it. I read books from unknown authors often. One of my personal reading goals this year is to read more by independently published and lesser known authors.
The blurb and the first page.
Super natural..emotional.. anything that is not my life:)
The Daily/Sunday Mail reviewer/s. Works for me.
If it has good reviews, I check into it further. But, most of my choices come from Amazon reccomendations. They see what I put on wish lists and then tell me other books I might like if I liked a specific one. They are almost never wrong. My tbr list is insane.
If I see a synopsis which tells me if I like Agatha Christie I will love a new author, I will read one of their books. I found Ruth Ware’s books this way!!
I like to try new different books, but I make sure I read a few reviews (without spoilers) on Goodreads and then I look up the premises of the story and that’s it.
A short description of book.
IF one of you guys tells me it is great.
I love series
The covers and the reading of the back.
I don’t always go by reviews because sometimes if there is a bad review and a good one it’s all about genre tastes? If I also dont know them, I will try on audiobook and if it’s boring as heck, I can return it and get back my credit.
This is an example. If the cover looks beautiful like all three of these books and the back of the book sounds interesting I try it.
i love this series! They are soo good i have this one on my shelf im waiting to read ?
@Amber you will love it even more. Sadly only one more book in this series but there is a character in this book I want her to write about. Loved the person.
Someone recommended the book to me.
Recommendations from friends, sometimes I’ll go on good reads and read the reviews.
@Lori ask Judy. She read the first and on book 2. If you want to borrow book 1, I have it.
The first five pages.
@Ann that is true too like for me it was “Eragon.”
The synopsis on the back or inside cover
The opening sentence.
I’d wait for reviews on Amazon or Goodreads. Most of my picks nowadays are based on reviews.
A recommend from an author I like
Usually highly recommended from a friend…sometimes an interesting cover will draw me in, but will only read if the synopsis is interesting too. I’ll check a synopsis if a favourite author recommends too.
??
If I hear people talking about it and it’s thriller
Free ARC
Cover and recommendations from friends.
I pick up new to me authors all the time. If I can get the first book for about .99 in ebook form to check it out or get it from my library I’ll check it out. I’ll also grab free books from bookbub
If its fantasy or sci-fi, got a good blurb and I like the premise from the first chapter, if I like the cover (i know you cant judge a book by its cover but its always a factor)
Rating of 4 or above on Goodreads.
Title and cover
A recommendation from one of my friends
The plot. I don’t pay attention to anything else lol
i actually look for debut novels by aspiring authors…I don’t believe publishers and publishing companies would go to the expense of printing the books of a new author if they didn’t feel they would appeal to the readers..I have discovered many new authors doing this whose writing I now follow religiously…
I picked up a set by Kate Kessler at the library mainly because there were 3 there and I really like them a lot.
I usually read the blurb then decide and found some great authors and a few times because the cover grabbed me
Hmm…if the back cover synopsis sounds up my alley
synopsis..
That it sounds interesting.
topic
Something in common
I’ll know it when I see it.
Great reviews, word of mouth, great cover/title/blurb
Cover sometimes plays a roll, or the synopsis.
Favorite booktubers recommendations, ones who share the same taste as me.
Recommendations from people here or on goodreads ☺️☺️☺️
The cover attracts my attention, but it’s the back cover blurb that usually sells me.
@Steve yep me too ?
synopsis and comments if I really don’t know the author
Recommendations
If it sounded interesting and is in my book genre comfort zone.
The synopsis
Boredom. If I’m sick of reading the same recycled story over and over, I’ll pick up something random that I wouldn’t usually read. Most of the time I find that I like the random book. Either that or I get sent a free ebook to review which could be literally anything.
Interesting story and free – like the 24 hr special offers on Amazon. I have found a couple of cool authors that way that I now stalk (for new stuff) and buy all their books
Gorgeous cover??
Cover art, like Siri indicated, is important. It sucks you into the universe you’re about to encounter when you open the book.