[Xetox]

I normally pick a couple authors, and test the waters if I like them I read until I have read all of there works. Then move on to another? How about you?

[kingston]

I normally pick a couple authors, and test the waters if I like them I read until I have read all of there works. Then move on to another? How about you?


I've been following the recommendations of others---largely from this board. Weeks before I joined the forum I printed out parts of the RecommendationThread (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8580)
and have used that as a guide. I suggest you take a look at it too. When the majority agrees on the value of a work, I usually agree also. I also looked at threads about Top10Books (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292&highlight=favorite) and FantasyEpics (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7324&highlight=favorite) and many others.

There's nothing to match theTingling YouGet (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19956&highlight=tingling) from a great fantasy read!

I'm also finding I sort of enjoy the not-so-well-regarded works as a diversion, such as Goodkind. One can't eat steak every meal, he must have McDonalds to balance it out!:p

There's a world of great opinion in the old threads---very useful stuff.

I'm a huge fan of Robin Hobb, but am saving her last trilogy to read when burnout with other authors and series set in.

[Hobbit]

I'm also finding I sort of enjoy the not-so-well-regarded works as a diversion, such as Goodkind. One can't eat steak every meal, he must have McDonalds to balance it out!

Sounds good, Kingston.

Two older threads on this:

HERE's one; (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8730)
HERE's another (Older one.) (http://www.sffworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78)

(My answer's in there somewhere...)

Mark / Hobbit

[Dayne]

I tend to pick books by recommendations, whether I've read anything by the author before, and whether I am interested in what I know of the story. Sometimes it's enough with just an interest in the story, but I do prefer to have seen the books recommended as well, and I almost always read reviews before buying.

Sometimes I don't really know why I'm interested or not interested. George R.R. Martin is certainly one of my favorite authors because of ASOIAF, but aside from those books, I've only read Fevre Dream, and I've had no interest in any of his other stories.
I've read a lot of great recommendations of R. Scott Bakker and Glenn Cook, but so far I've had no interest in picking up their books, despite how much I like gritty fantasy.

And then there are times when I'll buy a book after just having read a little about the plot, and perhaps a couple of positive words about it.

[King Bonez Xx]

i go with reccomendations too. also, a really nice cover might lead me to read a few pages and decide if i like it or not.

[argon]

Nowadays I usually collect some recommendations then check out the Amazon "search inside" or author's websites for free chapter/sample. If the author is able to hook me then I'll purchase them, if not no matter how sophisticated a review or whatever was I won't.
There're exceptions of course when I deliberately read something that I wouldn't usually.
And I don't stick with one author all the time.

[Xetox]

I should clarify, I do find the authors by recommendations mostly. But once I find an author I continue to read their works. I am normally reading a couple authors works at one time. I don't know, I guess its just my way :)

[wolfbane19]

I choose books by a complex mixture of what people have recommended to me and whatever I find at the used bookstores I frequent. I only read one author/book at a time so its a method that has thus far worked for me.

[Xetox]

I choose books by a complex mixture of what people have recommended to me and whatever I find at the used bookstores I frequent. I only read one author/book at a time so its a method that has thus far worked for me.


Do you ever use the library instead of buying them? This is how I buy books: I am a collector of sorts but only buy what I know to love. So first I check the book out at the library and read it...if its one I must have(and I find that I must have a lot of them) I buy the hardback for my collection. I could not support my reading habbit if it was not for the library :)...whats nice is I can place holds and check them out online. They email me when they are ready for pick up!

[blake06]

Do you ever use the library instead of buying them? This is how I buy books: I am a collector of sorts but only buy what I know to love. So first I check the book out at the library and read it...if its one I must have(and I find that I must have a lot of them) I buy the hardback for my collection. I could not support my reading habbit if it was not for the library :)...whats nice is I can place holds and check them out online. They email me when they are ready for pick up!

I've started using the library a lot lately, along with paperbackswap.com. With those 2 sources, I haven't bought a new book in a while. I now save my money to only buy books that I know I will love.