Saturday, April 19, 2014

On Choosing Your Next Read

How do you choose what to read next?  I often find myself feeling a tad bereft after finishing a novel, especially if it was a novel I truly enjoyed.  I read almost every day, so it makes sense to think I would want to dive right into the next book.  Instead, I often hesitate about which book to crack open (metaphorically, I should add, since I usually read on a Kindle these days).  I have a large "to read" shelf on Goodreads, and I usually have several books downloaded to my Kindle, all ready to go.  Sometimes I even have a few paperbacks, stacked invitingly on a small table in our family room, just waiting for me to pick them up.  So .... which book to tackle first?  Well, sometimes I have a "deadline" for one of my book clubs ... That makes the choice fairly easy.  But if not, then it's often strangely hard for me to commit to my next novel.  Sometimes, I'm influenced by what seems to be the "book of the moment"--a new novel that friends seem to be thinking and talking about.  Other times, I've read a review that intrigues me, and I find that I can't get the book out of my mind.  I suppose sometimes it's simply an intangible feeling that steers me toward one book rather than another.  Do you ever struggle with choosing your next book as well?  If so, how do you usually decide?     

10 comments:

  1. I read everything you that you tell me dear!

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  2. Hey Leila! Congratulations on the new blog site -- I'm really looking forward to reading and sharing ideas! Great first post -- I can totally relate as I just finished reading our latest book club book and find myself in exactly the same situation -- with nearly 100 books on my Goodreads "To-Read" list and a nice stack of paperbacks on my nightstand. I actually went to the library yesterday to check out their "Top 10" list -- near the top was "Goldfinch" but after seeing the 2 star reviews from a couple of our book club members, I wasn't up for the 700+ page challenge... so I turned to my other go-to resource, People Magazine! LOL! I was reminded that "Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald" was just released in paperback. I'm a big fan of historical fiction so I decided this would be my next Kindle download! Happy Reading :o)

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    1. I have felt the same hesitation about starting "Goldfinch!" Let me know what you think of "Z."

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  3. Speaking of Donna Tartt's "Goldfinch," last week it won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. When a novel wins one of the big literary prizes, does that make you more likely to read it? I usually try to read the big fiction prize-winners for the year, but I admit not always.

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  4. I often find it hard to move on if I have really loved the book I have just read. I have several books waiting, but I sometimes want to save ones that I know I will really enjoy just in case I get stuck with nothing. I also keep a list of books I have heard about and sometimes, I will spend some time on Amazon just reading the reviews and debating whether or not they are worth it. I also am constantly putting books on reserve at the library as soon as a read a positive review and then months later, when I get the e-mail that it is ready to be picked up, I have no idea what the book is. I will also admit that when life is getting stressful, I go for the light and easy reads.
    I have mixed feelings about prize winning fiction. I always expect to love it and am hesitant in case I don't. Hence the reason I haven't started "Goldfinch" even though I have really liked her other books.

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  5. I do the same with audiobooks from the library... I get on the list for a book, and then when I get the message that I can download it, I'm not in the mood, or I'm in the middle of something else! Well, I do really feel like I should read "Goldfinch"... but I'm feeling daunted by the prospect for some reason.

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  6. Recently I have been relying on my library's online book selection, which I am surprised to find is very good. I just look through what's available and pick what I feel like reading at that very moment. I always change from one genre to another, hopping from historical fiction to fantasy, etc.

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  7. Great blog! I am hooked. If you get stumped you can always do what I do: fan fiction! LOL!! Looking forward to the next random musing!

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  8. And feel free to muse randomly in this space at any time.....!

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