How do you stumble upon new books? Is it just word of mouth? Do you use tools/websites to suggest similar books? Do you stick to a certain genre or follow popular book lists? Basically I’m asking how you filter out books you might not be interested in and hone in on the one’s that you’re more likely to enjoy?
by SpiritCakes
8 Comments
I used Goodreads’ **recommendations** and its **new releases** feature. Because I follow any author I liked the works of, the **new releases** section is especially useful. But nothing really beats Reddit in this aspect.
The book shop.
Maybe once per month I go to a bookshop, and leave with way too many books, and a few hundred Euros less.
I read a lot of non-fiction, so if I find a particular topic I am interested in, I simply buy the books listed in the bibliography.
Also, I get a lot of books (and recommendations) from friends.
I walked into a Barnes & Noble for the first time in years. It was busier than I ever remember! People love to share what they’ve read and I walked out with several suggestions.
I have had more luck in the little free libraries around my neighborhood than anything else by MILES. Amazon, Reddit, goodreads, booktok, etc etc. all combined have given me maybe 3 or 4 books in the last year that I consider ‘great finds’.
The random collection of pre loved books that I’ve discovered in LFL’s…easily close to twenty over the same time period.
I’m on a few Facebook groups, but they can be hit or miss. One is super toxic, and honestly, I stay for the drama. Sometimes it’s hilariously ridiculous. Over 94k members, private group. Great place to lurk.
I look in the Libby app (it’s the library app for ebooks) and browse what’s available. I’ve come to terms with the fact that there are 1000s of times more books than I will ever read, and I just like reading, so I just read stuff, and if I don’t like it, I stop and get something else. I used to stress about reading the “best” books but I don’t worry about it anymore.
I have a couple thrift stores near me where hardbacks are $2 & paperbacks are $1. I just buy whatever catches my eye, I don’t feel bad if I dnf, I have a nice variety on hand for any mood, & I donate them to the little free libraries in my area.