Poll

I kind of combine two, If the cover is interesting enough I then read the synopsis and decide to buy or not to buy

The synopsis is very important, but I've read books recommended by friends that I probably wouldn't have read otherwise, and loved them. The cover is a big deal for me, too. I've bought and not bought books based on the cover.

1st consideration for me is genre, then recommendation.

I go by recommendations because it opens me up to different books and genres that I wouldn't choose for myself if it was only left up to the synopsis. But if it wasn't recommend I go with the name of the book and what the cover looks like. Yes I judge a book by its cover.

None of these make any sense. If I haven't read the author before I'll read some pages. Style has to be appealing for a book to be worth a read. After that I may stick with an author for a while if other skills show. Reading a book based an a synopsis, recommendation, etc is senseless...most books aren't worth reading and frequently the most-read books are among the least worth reading, for instance, every book this club has ever suggested I read.

I LOVE BOOKS! I will try nearly anything...this leaves me with a lot of choices. So, I use many of these methods. Is the cover pretty/interesting? Do I like the textiles the book was made from? Synopsis? Reviews? Recommendations? Prior experience w/ author? They all work as starting points...none are a guarantee that the book will be stellar, but discovery is part if the fun.

I use several of those methods... Usually the covers grab my attention... then I'll look at the synopsis and author. Then I may even check out the reviews. But usually its the cover and the synopsis that pull me in.

For me... I usually decide online...

I tend to look by genre, and then I select the books that have covers I feel drawn to. I look at their synopsis, which eliminates most books. After that it depends on how many books I have left to decide between. Usually, if it's an author I already love... I could pick that one. Otherwise, I would base it off of reviews and ratings. ;) If I am in store, I usually read the first chapter, which eliminates some...

Carroll wrote: "J.D. wrote: "For me... I usually decide online...

I tend to look by genre, and then I select the books that have covers I feel drawn to. I look at their synopsis, which eliminates most books. Af..."

I don't know why, but I don't like downloading the samples for my nook. I guess I'm just a little weird! lol

Brook, I'm kinda curious how you choose your books if you think(quoting)

"Reading a book based an a synopsis, recommendation, etc is senseless...most books aren't worth reading and frequently the most-read books are among the least worth reading, for instance, every book this club has ever suggested I read."

Not having a go at you, just curious!

I'm usually drawn by the cover ... which leads to the reading of the synopsis. If I'm intrigued, I'll pick it up. However, if a friend recommends the book, even if it is outside my comfort zone, I'll often give it a shot - and usually like it. I use reviews as well, however, I actually look at low ratings because I've found what other readers find as faults are often the very thing that intrigues me.

I voted for synopsis, but actually, I read pages before buying. I can usuall tell from the first few pp whether or not I'll enjoy that particular author's writing.

If it's an author I've never heard or read before, I read the first few lines of synopsis (book blurb at the back if it's paperback/hardback), basically to get an idea where/when the story is set and what kind of genre it is. I don't read the whole thing, as that would spoil the story for me. I make very quick decisions based on those couple of lines I read. If they grab my attention, then that's it.

For me, it's practically "all of the above". I rarely pay attention to the publisher, but I look at the blurb, the cover, the reviews, and any friend recommendations. Then again, some authors are simply auto-buys.

It's almost all of the above for me, too, really. lol.
Sometimes, a cover will catch my eye, then I'll look at the synopsis and in turn the synopsis will interest me enough to pick it up. Haha. Other times, I'll go by recommendations or reviews. And others, just automatic buys by authors I already know and like. :)

Don't you hate when the synopsis is better than the book...its such a let down.

mainly it's for the synopsis (when I'm on my own) but I always consider reading every books my friends recommend me :)
and when the cover is gorgeous...