Found this poll and thought it was fascinating. What do you think?

www.livejournal.com/poll/?id=1007999

Very interesting, and does match to how I choose a book.
Thanks Chatty

In last 20 years, most books I buy are on my own... am influenced by the blurb/summary flap, tables of contents (if any), cover.

In the area of fiction, there are certain styles of writing I avoid...

For non-fiction I have greater tolerance for writing style that is summary style with footnotes/endnotes/sources. Maybe a couple of small illustrations/photos.

I worked in a bookstore for about a year...and it was really interesting what people will buy for HARD COVER, first release edition. Some of it pure junk. I worked in 3 different locations where there were different customer groups, buying trends, and differences in book title inventory.

Location 1- in the heart of the financial district. Saw alot of money spent. Novels, plus business/management texts.

Location 2 -wealthy commercial area with fashion boutiques. Very mixed, since it was close to some museums.

Location 3- in the surburbs, a large shopping mall. More family oriented. Inventory variety got pretty thin.

This is so interesting. Thanks for sharing. Funny how all the promotional work done on the author's part doesn't seem to work.

and I might also add, done at the author's expense...

That's so true Dotsie. I think one would have to divide this survey into
1) Why I would buy a book IN A STORE
2) Why I would buy a book online

The reason I say this is because if I'm in a store where I can pick up the book and view it right there in my hot little eager hands (impulse buying, and desperate to read something new) then my choice to buy or not to buy, are swayed by different reasons than if I'm lead to view a book online. After all, you can only do so much as far as checking out the book ONLINE. You can flip through it, read a chapter, etc...like you can in a book store. And let's face it, when you see a book cover IN PERSON, it can be more stimulating SOMETIMES than online; but on the other hand, some online covers can be dynamite and "in your face" bold and beautiful. They can have a great effect on you.

So I think there are other factors involved but I agree with one of the top choices of "a friend's recommendation." If someone tells me, "get this book, you're gonna love it," then I'm sold on it.

Like if someone told me to buy MY book, well, I would run out immediately and buy multiple copies and save them for Christmas and buy one for all of my friends and shut-ins who need a laugh....what? Too much? <insert evil giggle>

One reason they didn't give was "Title". If I'm in a bookstore the title is one of the things I look for. Often that will let you know if it's a genre you read.

I'm like JJ, my reasons are different if I'm in a store than if I'm looking online.

Online is sometimes from a referral or an author I already like and read.

In store is usually ooohh look at the nice cover, then the title, then the inside flap or back and then I read the first page or two to see if I like the style of writing.

If it's an author I'm already familiar with and like, none of that matters.

What usually catches my eye first (and what I look for) is the title, then the author, then the cover art. If all of that looks interesting, I'll read the covers, front and back, then open the book at random and read a section or page or two. Since I buy most of my 'fun' reading at the local used bookstore, this seems to work well for me. If it's a book by an author I'm familiar with, I'm more likely to pick it up regardless of title, art, or blurbs.

I buy most of my non-fiction online - usually from Amazon as Barnes & Noble made me mad over Christmas - because I usually am looking for something in particular like a textbook for a class or other book recommended for whatever project I might be working on at the time.

Wow! I always heard that people buy books because of the: bookcover, title, author's picture, and (I forgot the other thing!). Anyway, just listened to an agent, publisher, and acquistion's editor speak on this topic and when they're at the "pub" board deciding on whether to issue a contract, it all depends on what they had for breakfast that morning...(I guess they're human too!). Also, a deal breaker is the "title." Unknown authors (although rare), can catch an editor or agent's attention by the title alone.

So why do I buy a book?!?!?!? Usually because I'm at Barnes & Noble, picked out something "interesting" to read, spilled cappuccino on the cover, felt guilty, and bought the book!

Connie

Spoken as a true reader and sistah. We go, we shop, we spill, we buy. Its that simple.

Glad to see you in here ConnieMeister! WELCOME!

All of this is really interesting. No one has said they buy a book because they read about the author in an article. Saw an advertisement for a book in a magazine. Got a bookmark or post card from the author in the mail.

What about an author's website? Does that persuade you in any way? Do you even visit an author's website?

I'm seriously interested in your answers. This is all really enlightening.

I can answer that for ME.

I use to take the recommendation of People's Mag for some good reading but got burnt on the last THREE...count um...THREE books to read (they sucked big time) so I no longer take ads in magazine seriously. Burn me once...and so forth.

I do not receive ANY SNAIL MAIL from authors other than Janet Evanowich or however you spell it and I asked to be taken off that list a hundred years ago. Her books were to much alike and I got bored with them after six of them. I still get stuff from her, but not as often. I guess she's too busy counting her money...Lord, I'm so jealous! ha! You gotta luv her.

NOTHING will make me NOT read an author's book fastner than getting UNSOLICITED EMAIL from them. Seasoned authors know that this is the kiss of death and people will shun you if you start sending them unsolicited emails EVEN IF the pros tell you to do it. Don't believe me? Ask you friends how they feel about it. The pros tell you to send the emails because you'll eventually wear people down and they'll buy from you. How competitive is that? Duh? I don't want people to be worn out and frustrated with me and my emails. I want them to be glad to see me coming, not leave. People who do this come from a mindset that there's not enough to go around. Trust me, there is. I call the people in this category, Desperados...

So...do I visit Author's sites? I sure do. All the time. The recommendations come from either friends, other authors, or newsletters. THESE I trust. My friends know my likes and dislikes as far as reading material, other authors know better than to recommend a book that is not good reading, and I only subscribe to newsletters that have proven themselves over time.

Quite honestly, if an author sent me something in the mail like a bookmark, I would like it AND would probably check them out; even if it were unsolicited. Beats all the ads I get in the mail for buying cars, don't you know. But I realize the cost is so high and that's probably why more of them don't. Mailing has become a means of communicating that we've had to take a second look at and decide for our marketing selves if it is worth it anymore. (Except for mailing books to people)

To me, the #1 source for recommendations is ...........

May I have the envelope please.........................

(You could cut the tension in the room with a knife)

Ahem...Its a tie folks! For the first time ever, we have a tie!

FRIENDS AND NEWSLETTERS!

(I have got to back awayyyyy from the caffeine)

These days I pretty much only buy books that I hear others commenting on or recommending here on this site. So far it's worked better than any other book-buying mechanism I've ever tried.

Chatty sent me a book months ago that I would NEVER have thought to pick up for myself, but it turned out to be one of the best books I've ever read. Dotsie has often recommended books based on my personal spirituality, and they've all become much-beloved additions to my library. So I've learned to trust the insight and recommendations given by the women here.

I'm surprised at how much I really enjoy reading what other women here have already read and enjoyed...it seems to bring an added sense of community and solidarity into the reading...I find myself wondering things like "hmmm, wonder what Dotsie thought about that" or "I wonder if Chatty cried at this part too".

JJ, thanks for your opinion on marketing and readers.

Now, I'll have to get my brain working on how to get on everyone's "recommended" list. :-)