16 Responses to “Why Did You Buy Your Last Book?”

1. The last book I bought for myself (fiction) was based on reading the blogs here. I also have several to buy books from several blogs authors.

   I don’t like to buy an author that is totally unknown to me. If I think I’ll love the book due to their voice or other books I’ve read, I’ll buy. But my book budget is limited right now so I want as much bang for my buck as possible.

   I’m also very loyal. Susan McBride sent me her newest release last summer when I mentioned in my blog how a nurse during my Chemo had given me her first three for the series. I was new to the St. Louis area and was just learning about all the authors that call the area home. Will I buy her next book? You bet. That personal touch is amazing. Of course you can’t give away all your books, but by doing this she made a loyal reader out of me. And I give her press whenever we are talking about cozy’s in my group of reader friends.

   Now, the next book I buy is going to be The Sinner by Tess Gerritsen because I checked it out from the library and my dog ate it. Good news it’s still readable.

   by Lynn on February 9th, 2008 at 10:37 am
   
   

2. The most recent book (if Amazon counts) I ordered because the plot focuses on art theft, which is something I have used in one of my books. I found out about it not through the author’s book promotion but because I was researching art theft on line (although I have some more direct experience with it, including FBI investigations), and this young man has actually put together an art theft squad to operate in the real world (that’s taking promotion to a whole new level, no?).

   I rarely buy a book because of its cover, but certainly I do based on any other item on your list.

   Sheila

   by Sheila Connolly on February 9th, 2008 at 10:45 am
   
   

3. Dear JB,
   I am reading several books at this time. I usually pick books by authors that I have enjoyed in the past, or an author that one of my friends has recommended. I love Mary Stewart, Agatha Christie (of course), Dee Henderson & I have just started reading some of the Cozy Chicks books. I just bought a book online the other day called “The Cliffs of Night” by Beatrice Brandon. The reason I bought this book was because of the “hook” ? the info that you get on the inside jacket cover . The info got me interested enough that I bought it. I like when you can read the first chapter of a book online. I can usually tell by then whether or not I am going to like the book, the way the author writes, etc. My friend sent me a bunch of the “Tea Shop Mystery” books,( by Laura Childs) the books don’t have the suspense in them or the complex plots the way the older mystery books do but I enjoy the characters. They are great for a quick read on a rainy, blustery winter day with a hot cup of tea.

   by Ealasaid Cameron on February 9th, 2008 at 10:53 am
   
   

4. Well, JB, funny you should ask….I’m currently reading 3 books, as is my habit. And I kid you not, one I just started is A Killer Collection, the 1st in your Collectible Mystery series! (ordered from Amazon) I’m an antiques/collectibles gal myself, & also used to visit family in N.C. often, so both the subject & location in the book captured my interest. I’m really enjoying Molly & Clara, and learning a few pottery tidbits along the way!

   The other two books I’m reading are vastly different: Taste of Home’s Light & Tasty Annual Recipes; (I read cookbooks like novels, and collect them, too) and Hillary Clinton’s It Takes A Village. (A few months ago I read Barack Obama’s Dreams from My Father–I like to get everyone’s point of view in this election year!) Both of these are library books and due back on Tuesday. (I’ve already rechecked piles of books twice from both local libraries, so *must* finish ‘em!)

   I’m trying to read all the new-to-me mystery series in order, whenever possible. As the other Lynn mentioned, I’m also working my way through authors whose blogs I’ve been reading & enjoying for the past year, when I first discovered them in cyberspace. (Now I’m addicted—woe is me!) So I now have a lonnngggg Wish List at Amazon, which grows by leaps and bounds— and every so often I receive a shipment of 4-6 books at a time from that list. I also compare prices and order many food-related books from Jessica’s Biscuit catalogue, at ecookbooks.com.

   Although I’m attracted to nice or striking covers, I’m with Sheila — I rarely select a book just for the cover alone. I read a lot of reviews, read book jacket covers and listen to recomendations of friends who have similar reading interests. What really hooks me, when I can’t physically examine a book in the library or a book store, are the excerpts online. I think every writer should offer these kinds of (written) teases to incite readers; works for me! As for videos, MySpace & others–not my cup of tea. It’s BOOKS, the printed word you’re selling, after all!

   Again, I’ll echo the other Lynn about the importance of the personal touch — Laura Bradford did it for me! Back in August, I won a contest she ran on the Good Girls Kill for the Money Blog. Not only did she send me the free autographed copy of her latest book, Marked by Fate, but also the previous book in the series along with other goodies like bookmarks, pens and a personal handwritten notecard. (She also encouraged me to be less timid and post more often on the blog, so now I can blame her for creating a monster!) Anyway, she’s very thoughtful, generous to a fault and a damned good writer. She’s my hero, and I’ll always be a faithful Laura Bradford fan.

   BTW, Lynn, just last week I finished Susan McBride’s The Good Girl’s Guide to Murder— wasn’t it ever a hoot?! I found it esp. endearing as it’s set in Dallas, where I lived for many years, and Susan was right on target about the people and the locale.

   by Texas Lynn on February 9th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
   
   

5. Both (fiction) books I am reading now are by authors I’ve read before, which is why I bought them. But I have a couple of genres in which I read so widely that as soon as something comes out in those genres I’ll check to see whether I want to read it. For that, I rely fairly heavily on Amazon’s “recommendations” (because it often recommends things that aren’t released yet, so I can see what’s coming down the pike) and on something I never see mentioned anywhere…

   LibraryThing tags.

   Here’s how it works: I read tons of romantic suspense and tons of cozy mysteries. I subscribe to RSS feeds for both of those, so whenever someone tags a book “cozy” or “romantic suspense” in their LibraryThing library, I see it and can check whether I’ve read it or not. There are plenty of books in both of those genres I haven’t read, but after a year of the feed, there’s not a lot I haven’t looked at!

   As far as the Facebook/My Space thing, you couldn’t pay me enough to join either one of those services. I was so happy to read the article in The Register (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/31/myspace_fb_comscore_drop/ ) about how “social networking” was dying. I know some people think it’s great, but to me it’s like returning to high school, and I was miserable there.

   I’ve bought books based on blogs, but usually it’s because of a blog like this one–I find it because I like one of the authors and after reading a while I’ll decide to give the rest of the authors a shot–and not because an author is “pushing” a book via a blog.

   I also buy books written by people I know (like my Sisters in Crime chapter members and the MWA-NY folks), or by people who’ve been helpful to me or other people I know who are trying to get published.

   I’ve never bought a book because of its cover, but I’ve NOT bought a book or two because of their covers. Looking at some covers, I don’t even have to read the jacket copy because the cover lets me know what kind of book it is.

   Non-fiction is another matter entirely.

   by Laura on February 9th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
   
   

6. I love Susan McBride and the last book I bought was either a Christmas Present for Glenda a friend of mine who likes chic lit and mysteries. No I take that back I bought Natalie Roberts book TAPPED OUT. Currently I am reading Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe Series and I love them. Plus I just finished PMS Murder by Laura Levine (Glenda loaned me her copy), and yes I need to do some book shopping. Now from the library I read Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight Mysteries (two of them) I returned the two and now can’t remember the titles. I also read Katherine Hall Page’s The Body In The Ivy. This was an extremely good bok in her Faith Fairchild Series. I try to read all of our cozyarmchair members books. Plus any authors books that come up that people on our blofs discuss. I am always looking for new authors to read, interview and to review their books. Pamela James in Kansas

   by Pamela on February 9th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
   
   

7. I usually have some non-fiction books and some fiction books that I’m reading. The non-fiction books often are historical in nature and deal with some aspect of the Colonial period of U.S. history. Most of the fiction books I read are mysteries although I’ve been expanding beyond that genre much more in recent months. I especially enjoy the cozy genre of mystery. I purchase books by certain authors as soon as they are released (or pre-order from Amazon). I pay attention to Amazon’s recommendations. I also pay attention to similar libraries at LibraryThing. I don’t follow that as closely as some folks do. Actually, one of the most recent cozies I read was one that I received through the LibraryThing early reviewers program. It was my first time to read that author, but it won’t be my last because I enjoyed the book. I get to have fun selecting most of our college library’s pleasure reading selections. I rely heavily on reviews and best-sellers lists for that; however, I do pay attention to advertising in things like Library Journal to see what is coming up so that I can check the reviews shortly after the book comes out. I’d actually like to see more participation by publishers with early reviewing programs. If the reviews show up at Amazon.com or LibraryThing before the book comes out, I’m much more likely to take notice of the book. There are a lot of books that I’ve looked at which don’t seem to get many reviews. I can’t tell by the “blurb” whether our readers would enjoy the book or not, but if there had been a five or six reviews available, I might have selected the title. Oh - I did just add one title to my Amazon.com wish list because of a review on Facebook. Like someone else here, I enjoy cookbooks, but I am pretty selective about which ones I purchase.

   by Lori on February 9th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
   
   

8. Yep, I’ve lately been getting many referrals from blogs or blog book tours, and have a huge reading list from that source alone. I also read reviews at Story Circle Book Reviews. I follow all of my favorite mystery writers of course, and also search my library database for books on order in areas of interest. And amazon. I would bet there isn’t a knitting book on the horizon I don’t know about! LOL.

   http://www.storycirclebookreviews.org

   by Dani on February 9th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
   
   

9. I bought a couple of Maggie’s knitting series, most recently Knit One, Kill Two and was reading one at work when a friend noticed and brought me A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber which is not a cozy but is womans fiction. I loved it. Mostly because of the setting, Seattle, where my one and only kid lives and where I will go if I’m ever alone again. Current BF doesn’t like big cities. So now I have the third in the series and have to go back and get her original one.

   And I don’t knit. Well, I learned in home ec but that was a few years back…. I’m more of a crochet girl since afgans are fast and forgiving.

   

   by Lynn on February 10th, 2008 at 11:02 am
   
   

10. Thnk you for asking those questions, JB. All of us, as novelists, like to hear how readers choose books. So, I’ve been reading the responses with great interest.

    As for me—covers won’t do it for me, and I’m not visiting Facebook or MySpace and simply don’t have the time to spend on discussion blogs. So—-I miss all that online book promo. But I do pay attention to friends’ recommendations. And book reviews.

    Today is an example: I’m going to buy the new novel (actually first novel) from Jami Attenburg called THE KEPT MAN because I was intrigued enough by the review in the Denver POST. It’s billed as “witty” and sharp observations about New York City and the group of men who are “kept” by ultra-successful wives w/high paying, high-performance jobs. The review went on to mention that this book may be Jami’s first novel, but she’s been published in well-received short stories and edgy online writings previously.

    It was enough to pique my interest. Ohhhhh——and I did see my first promo book video trailer. A friend & Denver YA novelist has written a YA mystery with a young hero who snowboards. The video on YouTube is great. Shows him from beginning and falling down to finally mastering the board and catchin’ some air. Author’s name is Bonnie Ramthun if you’re interested. Apparently, Bonnie did the video. She’s quite tech savvy.

    by Maggie on February 10th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
    
    

11. Let’s see. The last book I read was given to me by a friend, called Elvis Takes a Backseat. It’s Christian women’s fic and was great. The last books I bought were Chill Factor by Sandra Brown (because I was in the mood for serial-killer suspense with a little romance thrown in, and I hadn’t read one of her books in eons), and “Mommy Tracked” because the story looked interesting, and I’m toying with a women’s (mom) fic myself, so was trying to get a feel for the genre. Both were very good in their own ways. I just happened to find those books while browsing through the aisles at the bookstore. I suppose the titles caught my eye first. I never judge by a cover–I know how fickle the cover Gods can be!

    Oh–and Ealasaid I’ve got a Dee Henderson in my TBR pile–I’m going to have to move it up. And I second what everyone’s been saying about Susan McBride. I’m sorry her series is ending, but am looking forward to getting her YA’s for my daughter (and me).

    ~heather

    by Heather on February 11th, 2008 at 10:59 am
    
    

12. I just finished Kate Collins “Rose Frome the Dead” and just started Laura Levine’s “The PMS Murder”. I purchase books from a variety of places, and my last purchases consisted of 30+ books, most of which are cozy mystery series by authors I have read before. I am a cozy fanatic and primarily read cozies featuring strong female leads written primarily by women. I don’t mind romance, in fact, I prefer there to be some, but I don’t enjoy a lot of blood and gore or lots of really foul language or graphic sex scenes.

    I usually find new authors from Amazon’s recommendations, and one feature that I love and I use whenever possible if the “Search Inside This Book” on Amazon. I love to read the first chapter and the “Surprise Me!” feature where you get a random page or two from a portion of the book. I have purchased several just because I have started it and can’t wait to read the whole thing. Covers don’t usually draw me in, but a few have. Once I like an author, I tend to be a bit of a “stalker”, checking their websites and blogs to see news of upcoming books, new series they may be starting, what they are reading, etc. I am not very technically ‘hip’, so I don’t use MySpace or FaceBook (my age shows here). But love it when authors have a website, or even an e-newsletter with upcoming book and event info (like where they will be signing, etc.) and even a link to a chapter or two from their books.

    Michele Scott has had me on pins and needles since last year with her vote for Derreck or Andre contest and when I saw the preorder for “A Vintage Murder”, I have to admit I clicked preorder so fast that I almost fell off the chair. I loved the fact that her readers got a chance to vote for their favorite. Because of that, and her fabulous writing style, I have filled the days waiting by reading her Horse Lovers Mysteries. One thing that bums me out is when I find an author I like, and suddenly they fall off the face of the earth. For example, two of my favorite authors, Laura Durham and Deborah Donnelly, have had no word on upcoming books, no updates to their websites, nothing. If they are not continuing the series, I just wish, as a reader, to know that they are no longer writing that series so that I know to stop “stalking” them to see when new books are coming.

    While I use Amazon’s features to “browse”, I still love going into a book store and just walking through the aisles. There is something about the smell of a bookstore, it makes me feel “home” so to speak.

    by Cathy on February 11th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
    
    

13. I’m presently reading two books and listening to a 3rd on CD driving to and from work.
    I’m reading “Water for Elephants” because it was written up in a magazine and sounded really good, which it is. I’m also reading “The Purrfect Murder” by Rita Mae Brown which I had on hold at the library. I love her books. I’m listening to “The Historian”. 18CDs! I think I’m going to be paying late fees on this one.
    Sometimes I buy a book because the cover appeals to me but mostly I buy them based on the description. I also read the reviews people submit on Amazon.com which are very helpful.
    I also read books based on recommendations. I never go to blogs or youtube.com for anything let alone book recommendations. I’d rather be reading than sitting at a computer.
    Keep writing, I love your books.
    Susan

    by Susan on February 11th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
    
    

14. Hi JB!

    Well, the last two books I bought to read were at Christmastime. I bought them because I’ve been wanting them and every time I put them on a birthday or Christmas list, no one got them for me. So I just asked my brother for a B&N gift card and bought the darn things myself. One was a book about Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes from Days of Our Lives. And the other was titled Not That Man Anymore, which was the story of Michael Zaslow’s struggle with ALS I bought both because I’m a huge fan of all three actors.

    Now, the last books I actually bought weren’t to read…they were journals. One was a book to keep track of books to read, favorite books and passages from those books, and books I loaned out. One was a book of favorite movies…movies to see movies I’ve seen and a section for random thoughts about favorite movies, actors, etc. The last book was a journal of how to be a “bad girl”. I bought the movie and book journals as an attempt to organize my movies and books and the bad girl journal just because it sounded fun.

    by Traci on February 12th, 2008 at 3:10 am
    
    

15. Call me sexist, but I look for female authors with female protagonists almost every time. If I like one book in a series, I will keep buying the series. And I prefer American mysteries over British.

    I am a visual person, so I usually pick a book up because of the cover. But I usually buy it only if I am drawn in by the description on the back or inside flap.

    I know I am going to earn some enemies here, but I don’t like any inkling of romance in a book–I buy mysteries for the mystery, and I don’t like it when the plot is muddled with a love story. I know by the sheer number of “romantic suspense” novels on the market that I am in a minority here, but I am a purist when it comes to mysteries! Just give me the puzzle and forget the romance!

    I also love being able to read sample chapters online. That’s a big plus in my book, no pun intended.

    by Krista of Pleiades on February 12th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
    
    

16. I’m a voracious reader and usually have 15-20 books piled next to the bed, and average 7 or 8 books a week. I just picked up “Chili Con Corpses” from the library yesterday, among others, and will be starting it today after I finish Kate Kingsbury’s “Slay Bells”. I purchased Camille Minichino’s new Miniatures series yesterday because she sent me one from her Periodic Elements a few months ago, and I love the blog she writes for.

    Many times I’ll pick up a book because I was attracted to the cover. I tend to go for cozy mysteries because yes, the thrillers do give me nightmares. Once I find an author I like, I read all of their work, and wait anxiously for their next one. It’s great when an author I like writes more than one series because they tend to come out more often (KUDOS to you!). I have read books that friends tell me about, but not often because they might lean towards books that I don’t care for (I’m all about comfort zones).

    I rarely go into MySpace because I just don’t understand it, and I’ve never seen a Facebook page. I do visit author websites frequently to check on when new books are coming out, and what their signing schedule is (WHY don’t they come to Texas more often?). I’ll admit I’m a total dork when it comes to books – they are my addiction (I can go a day without chocolate or Coca-Cola, but can’t go a day without reading). I have all my author websites sorted by genre, category, author, etc. (ie: Mystery, Antiques, JB Stanley). It’s frustrating when either an author doesn’t have a website, or when they (or their webmaster) don’t keep it updated on what’s coming soon. I do check Barnes and Noble’s section of Coming Soon weekly, as well as Prime Crime and a few other sites; I keep a calendar of all the books and the dates they are released so I can get on the request list at my libraries (I frequent two counties in my area) or look for it at the store.

    The only book videos/ commercials I’ve seen are for Nora Roberts’ books. I don’t usually check out videos and don’t know where they run.

    I’ve met several authors over the years so of course I still read theirs. I’ve also picked up some authors by reading blogs they participate in. There are so many avenues today for finding out about books that I’m very lucky. Because let’s face it – I’m a bookaholic.

    by Allison - Garland, TX on February 18th, 2008 at 10:48 am
    
    

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