Musing Mondays: Choosing A Good Book to Read

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about choosing a good book to read…

How do you choose the books you read? Do you like the cover art on a book? Do you rely on reviews? Do you let friends and/or family recommend books to you? How about books you find on other people’s blogs? Do you read the blurb/description?

Before internet and blogging, I used to rely on the book blurbs as a guide. If they interest me, I will pick them up. Sometimes, I will also read a page or two just to 'test the water'; if the premise is interesting enough and/or the writing is good, I will read them. Interesting and attractive book covers is another factor that makes me pick up a book, but if the blurbs do not interest me, I will not bother to read further.

Now when internet and online bookstores are so accessible, choosing what to read becomes easier. I have to say it also changes my reading habit especially I stumbled upon the blogging world two years ago and get to know so many wonderful book bloggers out there. Reading their reviews have made me read some books which I might not pick up for myself. In other words, I am not as picky now when it comes to choosing what kind of book or which genre to read as compared to the past.

Even though nowadays I rely mostly on fellow book bloggers' recommendations, it does not mean I will read whatever they read. I will still pick the books that are appealing to me, though the only difference is that I have a wider choice to choose from (or if they are new authors to me). Occasionally, I will receive a few reviewer copies which I think is another great way of finding new authors/new books to read too.