Where do you get your book suggestions?

[Canice]

I follow the monthly book threads on the BB; I've learned a lot from them and picked up a few suggested titles along the way. But I got to wondering where I get my ideas of what I want to read, and found that a significant majority seems to come from the radio -various NPR programming and local affiliate programs. It's been a long time since I was enticed by anything I read about in the newspaper.

Where does everyone else find their "Oh, that one's for me!" ?

[Kay Henderson]

Probably most often, browsing the shelves (in recent years, particularly the new books section) in my local library.

I am also interested in recommendations from members of a book group I joined this past year.

Kay

[tbb113]

I use the same method as Kay. Also I subscribe to bookbrowse (http://bookbrowse.com) I've gotten some good suggestions there.

[funniegrrl]

Like you, I get a lot of ideas from NPR. I also belong to the Quality Paperback Book Club, and they consistently have good selections and good descriptions.

Sometimes, though, I'll just get a topic in my head I decide I want to read about, and do searches on Amazon.

[kima]

I get book ideas from many sources- newspapers, bookstores, amazon and Chapters, and of course here! When I get really stuck I e-mail KValley as she always has good ideas!:)

Thank you so much Tyra for that website- I signed up for the newsletter. And I was thrilled to see that one of my very favourite authors, Divkaruni has a new book out!I must put a hold on it at my library!:)

[colleency]

I don't read as much as I used to, because the library where I used to live was great. There were always 3 - 4 special counters for suggested reading. The purchasing librarian always made sure there were new selections of science fiction and mysteries.

The library where I live now is not like that at all. They only have about 1 shelf of books that I'm even interested in. Mostly I have to know what I want and order it online. Then they ship it to my branch. They seem to have more romance novels than anything else. :(

[Gracie]

Tyra that's a very cool website. Thank you. You've inspired me to start a new thread...!!

Loren

[Jen]

I am signed up for newsletters through B&N...I've never bought a single thing from them, but I like their newsletters. You tell them what categories you're interested in and they only send you those newsletters.

I also get newsletters from bookclubs.ca and readinggroupguides.com, plus I like looking at booklists like the top 50 contemporary books (which has been posted here), or the top books of the year. Sites listing literary award-winners also come in handy.

[claire797]

I mostly use recommendations from girlfriends and the monthly book threads here on the board. I've had the best of luck with both of those sources. Browsing the shelves is completely overwhelming these day!

[HejazSunKat]

Revealing myself as a total philistine, I've gotten alot of good suggestions from: People magazine :D

[gertdog]

I have a couple of tried-and-true sources.

-The book threads on this board
-The NY Times Book Review
-My mom, my sister, and a good friend in Ithaca with tastes similar to mine
-Reviews in various magazines I read

I keep a running list of books to find at the library- when I see a book/author I'm interested in from one of the above sources, I add it to the list (I keep it on my PDA) so it's always in my purse and ready to use if I find myself at the library or a bookstore.

I'll have to check out bookbrowse- it sounds neat!

[KValley]

Originally posted by kima
I get book ideas from many sources- newspapers, bookstores, amazon and Chapters, and of course here! When I get really stuck I e-mail KValley as she always has good ideas!:)

Hey! Right back at ya! I've got a nice little stack of books from Maureen :)

I carry around a little journal that's divided into sections of books (both to read and have read), music, websites etc. (low-tech PDA!) In addition to the aforementioned NPR and NY Times book review, and general magazines, I also make note of literary award nominees- not just winners- (e.g. Booker, National Book, Pulitzer etc). I also read the book jackets in book stores and jot down titles and authors.

Mostly, I visit our public library and scan the new releases shelves- there is ALWAYS a new book I've never heard of that is worth a read or one that's been on my list for ages I can finally cross off.

[Natasha]

Usually I like to browse in libraries and bookstores - or the library website - and get ideas there, but I also like reading book columns in magazines and the odd newspaper. Of course I've also picked up some good suggestions from our very own book threads!

[kima]

Good idea about the notebook Julie- I must do that as my memory is like a sieve these days.

My idea of heaven is two hours in a bookstore- especially the Elliott Bay bookstore in Seattle- paradise!:)
(please note my wish to have my ashes scattered there...:D :D )

[Denise]

I spend some time on the Powell's website (www.powells.com). Their employees do good reviews plus every year they do a list of the 100 best books people read, they call it the Puddly Award. Plus my local independent bookseller always has good reccomends.

[krhm]

Ditto to most of what everyone else here as said.

Because my "wish to read" list is always far, far longer than I will ever be able to get to, I've started a list at Amazon.com. It's a wish list that is viewable by others as well. If I hear about a book from any source and I think it sounds good, I go there and add it to my list. DH's family loves this because they just go to the list for my birthday and for Christmas and pick titles for gifts! Obviously I love it because I can access it anywhere, I can keep track of titles I hear about, and I get the books I want! :D

[crlykat]

Originally posted by KValley


I carry around a little journal that's divided into sections of books (both to read and have read), music, websites etc. (low-tech PDA!) In addition to the aforementioned NPR and NY Times book review, and general magazines, I also make note of literary award nominees- not just winners- (e.g. Booker, National Book, Pulitzer etc). I also read the book jackets in book stores and jot down titles and authors.


Hey, me too. I keep a huge list in my PDA organized by categories (such as History, Fiction, Culture) and I also have an electronic copy here on the computer *just in case DH wants to buy me a b-day or Xmas gift without asking me* :D
I get book suggestions from the NYTimes, Powells.com newsletter, NPR, and so on. I really like all the book threads on this site too.