Exceptional Books discussion

Readers, make your voice heard and tell us how you discovered books in 2013! For your participation you will win #5booksin5minutes! Take the survey and pass it on! buff.ly/19MEmFr

I like the Book reviews in the Wall Street Journal , which I read just for books , recipes and Jason Gay's sports commentaries !

I make good use of "Bookmark" magazine.

Book reviews in New York Times, on NPR, suggestions from friends and librarians, sometimes I'll take a chance on a book by it's cover. I'll read books by authors I like and listen to mysteries in series.

I explore ratings and reviews (goodreads)

Kirkus Reviews, Bookbrowse, Publisher's Weekly, Goodreads, Amazon, indiebound. Thanks Douglas for recommending your local library. Working at a library and speaking for myself, I look for great reads in all genres that are not on everyone's radar and recommend them to our patrons. In other words, ask a librarian. We are always glad to help folks discover new authors and titles!

I discover books in several ways. I read reviews here on Goodreads, I read book reviews in my local paper. I get emails of new books from both Amazon and Barnes & Noble, I see books on the notable reads shelf at my local library, I hear about books on my local NPR station, I occasionally run across books while searching my library catalog for other things.

I look at award-winners, favorite authors, ratings here, amazon and paperbackswap.com

I find books everywhere. Some I find various ways on GR, some on Amazon based on type of book and ratings, from GR friends, giveaways, NPR occasionally, a mention in a magazine or the paper, & and have some at home acquired in various ways that I want to read. I'm on a book swap list and find a few that way. If I read a new (to me) author that impresses me, I look for other things that author has written.

Sometimes on Amazon when searching, other books or suggestions come up, and occasionally there are some very good books that way. I like Amy's librarian suggestion too and Bobby's Bookmark magazine. I also look at ratings on Amazon and Goodreads, though that isn't fail-proof. Once a book I loved and still remember clearly wound up with 3+ ratings due to a few people who didn't obviously read the book carefully. I wouldn't normally read a book with lower ratings, and I've read some with stellar ratings that I didn't like at all.

I agree totally and have found that to be so true.

Alice wrote: "Some of those books with lower ratings can be the good ones. If a book is overly intelligent, a vast majority of lower level readers won't understand it and rate it low."

Yes, exactly what I am finding. In fact, if I want an easy read, I choose a book on a topic I like, with a high rating. If I want a clever, thought provoking read, I go for a lower rating.

I read reviews of people on this site. I get on my local libraries site, and read about books I think I might like to read, and about subjects that I'm interested in reading. I share books with friends.

A friend and I go to our library's book sells on the last day, when prices are $2.00 for a large bag of books. We have a tiny library at our YMCA, and people share books. I found two Jan Karon books, which I love, in this tiny library, and went on to read her other books.

I have had conversations with people I have met in waiting rooms, about the books, I have read on my kindle. One lady recommended, The One and Only Ivan, a book about a silver back gorilla. The story is carried by the conversations of the animals.

Someone on Goodreads, recommended The Cat Who Went to Heaven, which I am now reading.

I look for stuff that might be of interest to my current reading obsession as per section classification (history, paranormal, psychology, etc. you name it). Then I look at random things that feel fetching. Then I give each of the seemingly fetching books a try, I just have a look at several random pages through it and if it feels readable and worthwhile - the book is my client, if no - then bye-bye :) It also prooves a good workout for intuition as an extra benefit.

Alice wrote: "The telltale sign is polarised ratings. Lots at both 5 and 1."
Wow, I must adopt it :) Scientifically that should work for highl contoversial works.

I never ever judge a book only by its ratings though. Even the cover or lack thereof might be a better indicator.

It's good to read something outside of one's current "rut" now and then. I've found some wonderful books and even some favorites that way. Variety is good.

Sharon wrote: "It's good to read something outside of one's current "rut" now and then. I've found some wonderful books and even some favorites that way. Variety is good."

I do the same Sharon. On occasion it creates another "rut" but whatever the outcome "nothing ventured nothing gained".

Do you like group reads, Alice, and if so, what do you enjoy about them. Describe what you mean by group reads. Do you mean group reads on the groups here on GR? It IS nice to be able to discuss a book with someone else.

I haven't done group reads yet, mainly because I have a library of books I want to read and there is always something new coming out of interest. My hope is to read what's in my library and keep only the books I feel are good enough to pass on to my kids. Maybe it will save them a few mediocre reads.

First I search for titles in the genre that I feel in the mood to read. Then I read the book's synopsis, then I read the reviews and ratings here at Goodreads and Amazon.

I do that sometimes, too, but I only read a few reviews, none with spoilers, and I choose reviews from high to low. I also like coming at a book cold, as long as I think I'll like it from the synopsis. At home I have many unread books and don't read about those online. I try to choose one now and then that I think I could swap online on paperbackswap.com. Some of those are surprisingly good and I wind up keeping them! You can't tell a book by its cover.

I start with my local library website and check out what's listed under staff pics, favourite indies, bestsellers lists and lists of books that have won various prizes (Giller, Canada Reads, Booker Man, etc.) I choose potential "reads" that appeal to me and then check the ratings and synopsis. But usually, I rely on my local book seller who understand what I like and often makes remarkable suggestions for me. I may live in a small town on Vancouver Island but my local bookstore and library are both great.

Wonderful suggestions! Libraries are terrific. I've been thinking about volunteering at our local one just so I can smell books all day!

I love all things natural. Natural textures, smells, colours. My husband was studying literature when we were young and he had been reading all his life. Our farm house had few if any books in it. I decided to have a go at Crime & Punishment when I was about 17 and my love of books began with a vengeance.

I have read ever since but discovering Goodreads was a big bonus for me. I have too many books on my reading list now. I discovered I could link this site to my local library and order any book I wanted so long as it was available and, if not, I could link to a book shop and buy it.

I love books rather than e-readers because they feel & smell exciting but I have also discovered that I can get more "reading" done through audio discs now while I spend an hour every day in the car getting to and from work.

Audio books are great. I used to listen regularly in the car when I traveled further than now. Having voice makes books come alive and some are truly excellent.

I didn't know we could link to a library or bookstore from GR! What a great feature.

The smells of nature are nice, often. The open space beside us was mowed a couple days ago, and it always smells sweet and fresh after mowing. Pine woods are aromatic too.

I use gnooks.com part of the gnod.com website. It maps out books/authors you may like based on what you have read and liked in the past. Just enter author names or book titles and new suggestions just pop up.

That's an idea I haven't heard and I'll check it out. I'm just back in town this evening. Thank you!

I find out about great reads through friends and the local bookstore.

Leonard, you were in Amistad?? That's terrific! That movie made such an impression on me, I sometimes have nightmares about the scenes where they threw people overboard chained together. Do you still act?

I use a variety of sources, including BookMarks, BookPage, Book of the Month, recommendations from friends on LibraryThing and Goodreads, and the Algonquin publishers' site. If I find a noteworthy author, I will then read his/her books. There are far too many books tumbling out of my bookshelves, so I am trying (unsuccessfully) to pace my reading acquisitions.

I like that one, DC. I'll check it out.

Almost exclusively Bookmarks magazine.

I hadn't heard of that, so thank you for informing us all who didn't know.

I either pick from Boxall's list, find recommendations on Reddit, or have my own challenge to read a book from every country in the world so try to choose one from that list.

I have way too many tbr at the moment. Send help.

Ha ha! Duygu, I have way too many to read as well, but I love that actually. I will get through as many as I can. I have never been to either site and since it was recommended by a couple of you, I will study both. Thank you for the suggestions! Been super busy getting a sister settled in a nursing home and dealing with her home and things.

Like the one who posted above in Message #2, I also peruse WSJ. Also I find Goodreads or LibraryThing suggestions and then check with possible local library reviews--if they are positive. I also get suggestions and recommendations from Christian Science Monitor Weekly.

Jane, thanks for the sources you list. It's wonderful to find new places to look for good books with good reviews, honest reviews.

I just realized that I find the most books from reddit's /suggestmeabook thread. Just wanted to share in case it helps anyone find even one book :)

Thanks Duy! I didn't know about that one either.

This book is for all the people who found themselves unable to share their emotional burdens with the people they care about.To the people that weren’t able to give justice to their feelings, and to the fire running through their veins.To the ones that got so insecure, that the words of those around them became the bricks of the walls they built around themselves.I hope my book will make anyone who reads it feel less alone, less isolated and okay that they are unable to set free the chaos going inside of them so it won’t cause any destruction to them, or to the other person.It is okay if our feelings didn’t set foot where we want them to.Don’t let anyone dim your light. Remember that what you are and who you are makes you beautiful.

Amazon Int: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PQ4TP16

Scribbles of the mind