How to Find an Interesting Book to Read
Choosing a Good Book from a Bookstore or Library
With so many books available at libraries and bookstores, it can be difficult to make a decision about what to read next. For readers looking to increase their exposure to new authors and genres, there are a number of ways to find recommendations for quality books.
Visit Book Review or Publisher Websites
Publishers are keen to promote both new releases and books from their catalogue. Their websites generally contain at least a brief summary of each title and often there are also links to author information, additional titles by that author and occasionally book club questions.
Visit the website for publishers of favourite books or simply choose one of the big publishing houses such as Pan Macmillan, HarperCollins, Penguin, Simon & Schuster, Random House, Allen & Unwin or Hodder Hachette.
A variety of websites publish regular reviews. Suite101 has a number of different categories including World Literature where regular book reviews offer advice and recommendations to help with selecting interesting titles.
Books with Personal Reading List Recommendations
Many people, both well known and unknown, have written books about their own experiences reading, highlighting the books that have impacted them the most. If the style and approach of one of these books is appealing, then adopt the author’s recommendations to make a personal reading list.
Suggested books include:
- My Reading Life (Viking, 2008) - Bob Carr
- Leave me Alone, I’m Reading (Random House, 2005) – Maureen Corrigan
- So Many Books, So Little Time (Berkley Publishing Group, 2004) – Sara Nelson
- Passing Time in the Loo (Scarab Book Limited, 2006) – Steven W Anderson
- The Polysyllabic Spree: The Hilarious and True Account of One Man’s Struggle with the Monthly Tide of the Books he’s Bought and the Books he’s Been Given (McSweeney’s Books, 2004) – Nick Hornby
- You’ve Got to Read this Book! (Collins, 2007) – Jack Canfield
Start a Book Club with Friends
Consider starting a book club or reading group with a small group of friends. Choose a set book each month to read and discuss, or simply contribute several books each to a communal reading group collection and read books recommended by others in the group.
Being part of a book club is not only a great way to hear about new books and authors, it is also a wonderful social activity and can help readers to think more about the books they are reading, as they prepare to discuss the pros and cons of a particular book with the rest of the group.
Prepare a Reading List
Create a personal reading list with classics, contemporary and/or recommended books and keep it on hand for trips to a bookshop or the local library. Set a goal of reading one book from the list each month (or more often if desired).
Ask Librarians for Books Recommendations
Most librarians are happy to chat about what library books are available and can often recommend authors similar to personal favourites.
If the local librarian is unable to help, American librarian Nancy Pearl has written a series of books with recommendations for different themes, genres, interests and offbeat criteria such as interesting first lines.
Book Lust (Sasquatch Books, 2003)
More Book Lust (Sasquatch Books, 2005)
Book Crush (Sasquatch Books, 2007) – children and teen reading suggestions
Set a Reading Goal
With busy lifestyles it can sometimes be difficult to find time to sit and read. To help keep motivation high, set a goal to read a specific number of books each month. Alternate new and favourite authors and keep a note of recommended books handy for visits to libraries and bookshops.
Use Recommendations to Find New Books to Read
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