Choosing What to Read

The traditional method of selecting a novel to read was to randomly browse the shelves of a bookshop or library and pick something that took your fancy. The genre, the cover art, the quality of the binding and printing, the blurb and even the smell all went into the decision. You'd also listen to recommendations from family and friends. But now there are new methods that can uncover potential future good reads.

1. Go to goodreads.com (also available as iPhone or Android app) and let it recommend something that fans of your favourite books also like. Or use an online bookshop (amazon.com) to search for books bought by purchasers of your favourites.

2. Listen to a book review podcast (eg. http://www.swordandlaser.com/) or vodcast or tv show.

3. Investigate nominees or winners of book awards (eg. the Hugos, the Nebulas, the Man Booker).

And the final approach which I personally find abhorrent:

4. Read novelisations of movies you like.

Happy reading !