Poll: What do you look for when buying a novel?

[Cain_Zeros]

I usually go by authors I know, but if I borrow a book from a friend and enjoy it enough, I might end up buying it later (or seeking out other books by that author, since they now fall into authors I know). Failing those, I read the little "this is essentially what this book's about" thing on the back (or the inside for hardcovers).

 

[JaceArveduin]

If I'm browsing through a library or other large source of books, I usually just do a quick scan to read the names of the books, any name (or cover) that catches my eye I pick up and read the little description it gives on the back or on the inside, if it sounds interesting, I'll give it a go, if not, I continue on down.

Not the best method, as some have mentioned similar, but I have a high rate of finding books that I'll like.

I can also just go to where ever the dragonlance/star wars/forgotten realms books are and I'll usually find something I've yet to read.

captcha: sphsturn deputies; who are they and where are they?

 

[Darwins_Folly]

Depends on the genre generally. When browsing for science related books, I go by the reviews of other scientific minds that I know and trust. When browsing for fantasy novels, I look for the fattest books I can find, preferably one in a multi-part series.

 

[Amberella]

I'm going to have to go with cover art. That's what catches my eye first and then I read the title, if that catches my eye, then I read the back of it....I go through this process every time while trying to search for a new book to read.

Trouble of it is, I hardly ever find a book worthwhile to read. I read so many that every book I begin to read reminds me of another book I read. I guess the same goes for anime that I watch. But books are important to me and I 'need' to read. I guess I've grown too picky. :/ I used to just pick up pretty much any book and read. Wow...I've changed. :/ I'm hoping soon I'll find a book that gets me back into my old reading habits.

 

[Zaverexus]

Seeing as school has not allowed me to read anything of my own choice in two years I have to say "recommendations" as in "recommended you read so you don't fail all the assignments you will have to do for it"

 

[Sniper Team 4]

Do the words, "Star Wars" appear in the title? If yes, the odds of me buying the book have suddenly gone through the roof.

 

[Racecar1994]

Hmmm, okay. Since there are quite a few of you saying you follow recommendations, why don't people put their fav obscure novels in this thread to see how well it works? You probably know mine at this point.

 

[DarthZod]

This may seem weird. I'm not sure if anybody else does this, but when browsing for a random fantasy novel, I always look to see if it has a map of the world in it. Things like that are important to me.

 

[similar.squirrel]

What sells me on a book? Simple. Premise. If you can think up an excellent premise for a book, no matter if it's well written or not, I'll pick it up.

Oh, and I will find the book if it has a good premise. I promise you that.

Very much this. You're guaranteed to find the most surreal crap if you leave your literary comfort-zone and pick up something with a compelling blurb.

Case in point? Beautiful Soup. Read it.

 

[All hail the Easy Button]

I get a distinct majority of my books either 2nd hand off the internet or from my much adored local 2nd hand book shop.

On the internet I end up surfing recommendations in reviews and those "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought" lists.
In the book shop there is no order, just books stuffed into shelves and lying around in piles vaguely based on genre. There I just end up grabbing anything slightly interesting and since they're cheap as dirt I get like 10 books at a time 8D ...or as many as will fit in my bag xD

 

[GudangGaram]

Historical relevance in one form or another. Theme of the book. Writer I've heard about or has written another book I liked.

But I usually only buy novels that are 'literature' or philosophically interesting. I'm kind of done with novels that deal with existentialist problems as they usually just take the 'unreliable narrator' road.