WHAT TO READ NEXT....

One of the perks of working in a library is the free and easy access to books. SO many books. Books and books and books. The only problem is knowing when to stop...because in reality we all know that we can't read everything that's out there.

And the truth is, so much is just bad.

Rubbish.

Horrid...in fact I shed a tear for the trees that died for some works to be published. But we all know that, as in everything, it is so individual. All down to taste.




So how do I choose what to read next?

So many ways...so many venues. Firstly I'm a trolley picker...in fact there are folks who come into the library and only choose books that are on trolleys, because in their view 'if someone has already read it, it must be okay.'  Let me tell you, that is not necessarily true. But...I do pick from trolleys.

I often see something returned and say yep I want that, often to be placed on hold. I also do roam the shelves, not as often as I used to, there is just not a quiet moment at work for that anymore.

And of course there are recommendations from fellow readers, patrons at work who insist I MUST read this author or this book, or this series or this genre. Once again, it doesn't always work.

I also tend to trawl the catalogue for 'new titles'....but I'm quite a visual person, I like to know at least what the cover looks like, or be able to read the blurb and if I like that, open to the first page and see if it grabs me.



Then there are the lists...for children's and young adult you can't go past Magpies....great to know what is new and hot off the presses.  There is also Goodreads ....Bookriot....and I'm sure many more...but these are two that I use.

I also use Robinsons bookshop newsletter. I peruse it, tick what I feel interested in based on staff reviews or the blurbs....


However often I'm left wondering what on earth was that reader thinking. Very few, in my opinion (and remember it is down to personal taste) have lived up to the rave reviews that readers give them.

At the moment I'm on the last three of my 'ordered from recommendations'.


So far, so good...but look...only three waiting for me. I need ....want.....MUST HAVE MORE. 

But how do I pick them?

My writing group also has book recommendations (and ones to really really avoid no matter what) in our monthly newsletter. For me this works well, as I not only know my fellow writers, I know which ones I share a similiar reading style or interest.

But what to do? Dare I simply pick from a trolley and take a punt, do I order some more from recommendations of people I know and trust?

Decisions...decisions....decisions.

How do you choose what to read next?

Vicki 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE SOLITARY WRITER...

Image
Writers are said to be solitary creatures. There is the age old image of the writer, alone, shivering and gaunt, scribbling away frantically while living in an attic. Frankly I don't know any writers who live in attics, or in fact many who lead the solitary life. Most are surrounded by people- in their daily lives, in their jobs, surrounded by family and friends. And really it is by being part of this social whirl where the majority of ideas come from. People as a species are so interesting, so volatile, so eager to say too much. All fodder for a poem or short story, a play, piece of non-fiction...or the seed for a novel. The novel I wrote for Nanowrimo last year was based on a line my father said. One simple phrase and I wondered 'what if...' and it went from there. The last short story I wrote was based on a mother I noticed at work and how she interacted with her children on one of the last scorching days. Let's just say the temperature wasn't the only thi...
Read more

OBSTACLES....

Image
This year has been a bit of a doozy. A lot of obstacles have popped up, some avoidable (accepting bigger work load and more hours)..some unavoidable (death of family member). So without me noticing it, March has arrived. Summer is gone and we have autumn, and not a lot of writing has been done. But here we are and I'm determined to get myself organised and on focus. I have made a goal sheet for 2018, which is a great start. It only has two things on it but heh, they are two BIG things and hopefully  I intend to get them done.  Last night I attended my YA / Children's writing group. What an inspirational group! Just when I needed a pick up, a kick up the pants (please supply any number of cliches) I was reminded of what can be achieved with lots of hard work. Fellow member Pauline   is about to launch her second book in her Cinnamon Stevens series. There will be a launch at Belgrave Library, Tuesday 10th April 2pm.  Copies can be purchased ...
Read more

FRESH START....

Image
There's something about the beginning of a new year. Fills us with inspiration, hopes and dreams. Lets us believe that anything is possible. That the year to come can be anything we want it to be. And it can. And of course there are resolutions...I'm still debating about what tack to take. Whether to focus on poetry or short story, the novel(s) that I wrote last year....hmmm too hard to think about just yet. I'll let it percolate, ponder on the pros and cons, on what I WANT to do, not what I SHOULD do. Personal resolutions are so much easier- I have plans on health and wellbeing, on the house, on the garden, on myself spiritually as well. The writing ones are so much harder. And of course there is knowing when to stop. There is no point in having a list a mile long ( I so used to do that)... totally unachievable and so daunting. So it's better to have a few solid ones on the list...ones that can be achieved within twelve months. And also goals that I have contr...
Read more