How do we find the books we read?

[alicebentley]

That's become a pretty serious question to me.
I know that my personal method is quite chaotic, and that I'm likely missing many titles that I just have to hope I encounter later.

I read quite a number of author's blogs, and so I often know months in advance when a new book of theirs is coming out. But that's still a tiny portion of the authors I might like to read.

I listen to my friend's post about what they're reading, and what they're looking forward to, and that helps a lot especially with the new authors.

I'm sad to say I haven't found the Amazon recommendations worthwhile at all. Besides the slightly annoying tendency for half the group to be books I already own (more than a few bought through Amazon, so you'd think they should know better), it's almost rare for one of the others to be something attractive. And all too often it looks like a title is only in there because they paid to be. I don't know if that's actually what happens or not, whatever the algorithm is it sin't finding good matches for what I might buy.

So let me ask the vast readership here: what sources do you use to choose your new reading material?

Comments

[apostle-of-eris.livejournal.com]

You of all people don't need reminding of the changes in dissemination of reading material, but for years now I have been asking "How do you find out about what you want to read?" without much response.I'm reduced to word of mouth, a little publisher news, and the occasional huckster table, although with the unicorns, sidearms the size of Volkswagons, and sparkly vampires, "do you have a science fiction section?" has worn thin.

[alicebentley]

Oh, I'm well aware of how reading material is now available in more forms than ever, from more sources than ever, and for less cost than ever.

What I'm not clear on these days is how folks deal with this abundance. Or, as is the case for most of us, ferreting out those few jewels in the acres of choices that now confront us.

Never before has the bookseller's function as a filter and guide been more needed, yet less able to be payed for as part of the transaction.