November’s Reader Love Question-of-the-Month
What’s your book-buying criteria?
* I have my favorite authors and auto-buy all of their books!
* I stick to my favorite genres or category lines.
* Covers and blurbs, baby. That’s what sells me on a book!
Answer in the comments section to be added to the drawing for an advanced copy of SEX, LIES AND MIDNIGHT!
And the winner of the October Question of the Month? The random number generator picked #3: Cathy P. Congrats, Cathy. Email me with your shipping info and I’ll get your book out to you!!
It’s a combination of factors and they are never the same. A very few author’s are auto-buys no matter what romance genre. Others, I haunt my favorite blogs and review sites before making the decision. Yes, covers and blurbs are an influence on what I spend my hard earned money on. Any cover that features too much of a landscape, furry animals, or animation I tend to stay away from. Although, I know I may be missing out on some very good writing; so be it. If it is going to sit on my shelf, I don’t want to look at that! Also, I don’t stick to one or two genres – I’m all over the place. But I do find myself reading in a particular category or genre for a length of time (historical, Blaze, paranormal, etc.) before switching to another. I just like to read romance; plain and simple!
If I’m browsing a bookshelf I usually look for familiar authors names and then I view the cover-is there a hot guy on the cover or does it look interesting. I then turn the book over and check out the blurb on the back to see if the story premise is something that strikes my interest. Sometimes if I’ve loved something else by that author I might buy it anyway to see what they are up to now. If an unknown author, I will write down the title and check with my friends to see if they are any good if the premise doesn’t draw me in. With my kindle, I start with freebies from either authors or a book site and if I like that author I will go back and see what else they have available and make a point of getting more by them.
I definitely have certain authors that I generally buy no matter, then it’s the covers/blurbs that make me look into a book. Sometimes, one of the many e-mails from publishers or groups tells of books that I just cannot live without!!
Book Cover, Author, Blurb on the back
I usually look for my favorite authors books and buy them. If I see a review from a new author that sounds good, I will buy her/his books. Of big importance is the cover and back blurb. If they aren’t good, I don’t buy the book.
The cover may catch my eye first, or if it’s an author that I know & like. Then I’ll read the description/synopsis of the story.
I have authors that are automatic buys and genres that I love to read. Sometimes I a cover will get my attention and that will get me to read the blurb and that might lead me to purchase it. This usually happens with authors that are new to me. Also, if it’s a genre that I like to read I will search for books that are in it.
Authors are probably my first draw to a book, every time. If I have enjoyed their work before, I am always willing to try again. I tend to purchase books with this criteria every time.
I tend to use the library to explore new authors in genres I enjoy, which in turn can end up adding new authors to my favorites list.
I would guess that book covers have the least effect on my limited purchase dollars. A good visual is always nice to look at, but then can lead to frustration when I delve into the book, and their are inconsistencies. Such as two main characters locked in an embrace on the cover, and the portrayal is both dark hair, and when you read the story, the main female character is a blond. That ends up distracting me from what is a wonderful story.
So author first, for me every time.
Kind of depends. Could be the book cover or title catches my attention. Favorite author or it I am trying a new author the burb of the book. Or even an author or a blog promoting the book and it sounds good or the author is so nice I just want to support them.
I first go for the authors I enjoy reading most. After that I will see what other books catch my eye… then I will read the blurbs to see if it is a book that I would be interested in reading.
I have authors I buy everytime. Then the others I look at cover author’s who are . Some times I buy after seeing their books on the web – like Amazon, B&N, and other book store sites. If it is a holiday time I will look at the authors writing a book with short stories in one book. If it a holiday book the title that gets me
I have auto buy authors and I also get recomendations from friends and blogs and the big one for me is the blurb on the back.
Loved Sex Lies and Mistletoe Tawny fantastic read
Have Fun
Helen
Covers and blurbs
I buy books because of the authors I like the best. I will buy a book from new author if it is part of a series I am reading.