wern5821

Novel readers. How often do you check out books from the library? And if you do get books from the library, how often do you check out a book that you never heard about. You just check it out becuase you like what it says on the back -the plot summary.
The reason I am asking is becuase I am thinking about self publishing my own book and I will donate some to libraries. I just wanted to know if the general reading community read random books like this. I want to know if people will check out my book if they like what it says about the story on the back.


Mike

Xenophile

I do that all the time. I just went to the library today and checked out several novels that I had never heard of before.

lemonavenue

I do that once in a while and had both good and bad experiances. Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz was a good experiance and made me a fan of his books for a while. I, Vampire by Micheal Romkey, while not a terrible read, was too boring and goofy to hold my interest. But at least I know whose novels to avoid from now on.

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Making fun of my bad posts since 2/14/08.

CodeRed

I rarely borrow books from anywhere, but often buy books I have never heard anything about. All the usual suspects catch my attention - cover, title, blurb, review excerpts... I'll only buy after reading a page or two that keeps my interest though.

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mi is happy

I do that all the time, but I always have a book in my face anyways. I buy my books most of the time actually. I read the back, look at the cover (yes I do occasionally judge a book by its cover), check for rewards it has received, and check the length (I like longer books most of the time).

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lin

Alll the time. It's not easy to get English books in MExico (hard enough to get Spanish books, actually) It's like prison, you scrape up whatever reading matter you can get your hands on.

I've always had good luck picking up books by the covers, seldom disappointed. (For one thing I avoid covers with swaztikas, hammer/sickle, or studs with their shirts off)

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lilacstarflower

I don't necessarily go for books that have been hyped up. To illustrate - I have just recently finished reading Jurassic Park (17 years after it was published). I, like many readers I now, prefer to pick out a book that I have never heard of. I like being drawn into a story I know nothing about and turning the pages to find the outcome.

First thing that attracts me is the title.
Sometimes its just the cover (shallow I know - I have heard the expression of not judging a book blah blah blah)
The blurb at the back is always a grabber

Remedy

99.9% of the time, I check out books from the library without knowing anything about them other than what they look like and what the blurb says. I look at the cover first (as there are literally rows and rows of books; I can't read each one of them), then the blurb, and then I decide whether or not I'd like to read it. On the off chance that I found a really good book the week before, I might look for a specific author. I always look in the same three sections.

I've found that suggestions of what I should read and what I actually like to read are two very different things. It works best for me to find what I like randomly.

I think donating some copies of your book to the library is a good idea. You'll get some exposure that way, especially if you ask the librarians to display your book in an easy to see place.

Katastrof

I generally have to want a book from the library to go to the library, but usaully when I'm there I'll get distracted and find 4 more books on impulse (happens at bookstores too.)

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Roxane

Im jumping on the bandwagon of all the time. I just borrowed a book of amazing short stories, worlds without borders.

chimchimski

As long as it's interesting, I'll check it out. I don't go to the library a whole lot myself, I'd rather buy a book and read it at my leisure.

Good luck to you.

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~Chimmy Has A Brand New Bag~

Ilasir Maroa

I haven't gone to the library in a long time, but when I go to the bookstore, I pretty much end up with random titles if I'm done with whatever series or stand-alone I've been reading. I rarely buy hyped books.

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Kelhanion

I, too, am guilty of judging books by their covers, as some covers send out this weird, sad vibe. If your going to self publish your book, make sure that you avoid cover art that makes your book look cheap, amateurish or "washed up". This is a great collection of cover types to avoid, but of course it all depends on what kind of book your trying to market (while there are clear cases).

And to the actual question. Yes, I pick up random books from the library if their plot description convince me. Chichés are bad by default but nowhere do they make more damage than on the back of the book.

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PrisonerOfPrey

Yep, all the time! Usually I just scan titles and grab ones that look interesting.

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archer88iv

I tend to *only* read books I never hear about.

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