topic Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)? in Book Club

Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

joannecha — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 01:19:27 GMT

Being a reading addict, I'm always on the hunt for the next great read. Just wondered where you all discover new reading treasures. Since I practically live at my local library (having worked there for 2 years part-time), that's a big source. My local library subscribes to Book Page for the patrons, so I pick that up once a month. I also do Goodreads, which gives me lots of new ideas. And I go to the Amazon book section often to get descriptions of books coming to my local library and, of course, they have the part where you can see "if you like that, you may like this" or however they phrase it. And I have a bunch or reading friends so we are always trading books back & forth. I get so excited when I discover or rediscover an author who is new to me. Just wondered how you guys come upon your new reading material. Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

Lila Belle — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 01:44:17 GMT

I have found great books and new authors at my local good Will, thrift stores and yard sales. My local library also has book sales and I've picked up new books there.
All of these sources are all $3 or less. The best part is that I can donate those that I don't want to keep back for someone else to enjoy.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

Frankie_Dee — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 02:10:13 GMT

I, too, read a lot of books and I'm always on the lookout for another new one. I signed up for daily emails from BookBub.com. They feature several e-books every day, all of them discounted from the original price. Often they'll have a great $22 book for $2.99, or a $6-$7 book for .99, some are even free.

It does cost more than borrowing library books, but I've saved hundreds of dollars in the last two years. Once you've ordered a few times they customize your daily list and send suggestions loosely based on your history. I've discovered several authors and titles I would have never found otherwise.

eta: These are e-books, not hardbacks or paperbacks, which is fine with me. I don't have enough storage for the books I already have!

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

DiAnne — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 02:17:07 GMT

I am also a reading addict! I used to buy books at Amazon when I was working so they often send me e-mails about the new books out. There is a column in our Sunday paper about books that I read. I also use the resources from the library. When I order books from them online they will often suggest other books based on what I am requesting. Also word of mouth - one of my neighbors reads a lot.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

ECBG — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 04:47:13 GMT

I read a lot and I'll google authors like_________. I always get a bunch, then I read about them on amazon and decide.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

Marsha2003 — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 02:30:41 GMT

I have a difficult time finding new authors. We used to have a wonderful discount chain called Crown Books. I would go once per week and buy all of the newly published mysteries and discover new authors that way. These days, it's tough because so much that is published is badly plotted, badly written and badly edited. I tried using Book Bub and Pixel of Ink, but those sites are too inclusive with books that I don't want to read at any price.

I check the list of newly published hardbacks on Amazon to see if any sound interesting. Then, I check the critical reviews to see why a book wasn't liked. Occasionally, I stumble upon an author whose books I haven't read and whose work I like.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

insomniac2 — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 10:16:28 GMT

I love the magazine Bookmarks.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

IMW — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 14:19:00 GMT

NY Times Sunday Book Review,I read it religiously, for me it is worth the $5 price of the paper.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

RainyDayGal — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 16:10:20 GMT

I get recommendations from a friend of mine, I always look at the book covers. Yes, yes, I do. Also my sister and mom have got me started on some authors, and the woman at the library got me started on others.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

LoriLori — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 19:10:53 GMT

I get a lot from Amazon. If you go to a book you love it will suggest a bunch of other books. I look through those to see what looks good to me.

And here. I can't count the number of great books I've gotten from the "What Are You Reading" thread. It's a gem and I never want to be without it! Thanks, @lainey

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

Bhvbum — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 01:12:33 GMT

I also use Goodreads.com. They have a Listopia section you can look at book ratings by genre. Also if I've read a great book, I will look to see what "lists" it's on and find out the ones with the highest ratings on that particular List.

Also if I see a book I may like, I go to goodreads, see if it is in a Series and try to go back to Book 1. I won't read a book if it is less than 3.8 out of 5 stars.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

abbalulu — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 13:23:35 GMT

I subscribe to Bookreporter.com newsletter. It talks about what new books in hardback and paperback are coming out each week. The also have book giveaway contests for each season of the year. In the couple years that I have subscribed I have won two books. It's a great newsletter. I get lots of ideas for new books from them.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

AnikaBrodie — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 13:40:40 GMT

DH is an avid reader and we are fortunate to have a very large public library near us. We find many books there (2 week loan for older books, 1 week loan for new books). They also have a spring and fall book sale and give each shopper an oversized shopping bag. For $20.00 we can fill the bag and usually come home with 20+ books from a variety of authors.

We've also found gently used books at a variety of thrift stores.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

joannecha — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:00:51 GMT

OP here. Thanks for all the responses. And Abbalulu, thanks for the idea for "Bookreporter". I hadn't heard of that one & it looks like a very interesting site. I signed up for their newsletter.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

joannecha — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:04:32 GMT

OP again. Forgot to say that I'm currently going through my extensive "stash" and either reading, attempting to read, and weeding out unwanted books (what was I thinking when I bought that???). Have already eliminated about half of the books that I'd accumulated through the years. They are being given to: my own local library for their spring book sale next month, and many different friends/family who are readers like me. I'm just now starting to track books that I've read on Goodreads, but sometimes when I read a synopsis in the jacket, I don't recognize the plot line & buy it anyway, only to find later that I've already read it.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

abbalulu — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 16:44:44 GMT

You're welcome @joannecha. I hope you enjoy the newsletter as much as I do. I look forward to finding it in my inbox and I make lists from it.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

jaxs mom — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 22:15:28 GMT

I haunt the kindle bestsellers list for my favorite genres and then read the samples.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

ChynnaBlue — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 18:46:40 GMT

NPR; The Daily Show; The Texas Book Festival; my local book store; Friends; Goodreads.com; Audible.com; Book Riot; LibraryReads.org; and The Tournament of Books on The Morning News site.

The Tournament of Books is a March Madness-type bracket for books and is pretty fun to follow.

I follow the Texas Book Festival and my local bookstore (BookPeople in Austin) on Facebook to get information on both new books and local events, like author talks or signings. I've gotten to attend some great events and meet some amazing writers that way.

I read a lot of non-fiction and get a lot of my recommendations from NPR and The Daily Show. I follow my friends on Goodreads and can always tell when someone heard the same story I did because I log in to add a book and they added it earlier that day.

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

FastDogWalker2 — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 18:54:46 GMT

I usually read of new books in the Washington Post and also reading reviews and browsing on Amazon. HTH

Re: Where do you discover new authors/books (other than here)?

kitty45 — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 00:46:20 GMT

Another reading addict here. I find out about new authors & books from Goodreads, Bookriot, Amazon, on this forum, Reddit or just browsing my library shelves.