The County Library discussion

Recently there was an article in Library Journal titled Every Reader a Reviewer: The Online Book Conversation Most of us who belong to and enjoy goodreads are reader reviewers, but how do you decide which books to read? Do you rely on published reviews, Amazon reviews, your fellow goodreaders, friends, librarians or ?? When you hear someone talking about a book what is it that you look for in that conversation that will motivate you to move that title to your "to read" list?

As a librarian, I have more trouble deciding what NOT to read than what TO read. The cover art, an interesting title, a mention in an article, a suggestion from a friend/colleague, a review, etc etc etc- it doesn't take much to spark my interest.

Yes- it is different when you are immersed in books all day. I tend to be drawn to the new stuff coming in, or something I see in an article or hear about on NPR. And, of course, just keeping up with the favorite authors takes a lot of time. Sometimes, however, I walk down the aisles and wonder how people ever find what they like among all the choices. I almost never just browse the stacks, and when I do, I feel unsure of myself- especially if it's not my collection.

Good cover art and a captivating title go a long way. But recommendations from friends and positive reviews are good too. Oddly, I like to read the negative reviews too. I find I learn a lot by what people don't like about a book. I'm not a "book snob" and am open to most types of books but sometimes I'll connect to a comment in a negative review and be turned off a book.

One thing I have found interesting since joining Goodreads and following my friends reviews is how differently two people who have a lot in common can have such differing opinions on books.

Sometimes I like to read reviews after I've read a book. It helps bring out some of the qualities that made me enjoy a book and helps me appreciate it more. It's kind of like reliving the experience.

Holly wrote: "Sometimes I like to read reviews after I've read a book. It helps bring out some of the qualities that made me enjoy a book and helps me appreciate it more. It's kind of like reliving the experie..."

I like to go on Novelist and see if they have a book club guide for it. It's fun to see the questions and answers they come up with (fun for literature nerds like us!) and quite often they notice things I missed.

I use Goodreads and librarything reviews, sometimes amazon reviews. My To Read lists are just too long!!! Of course I check out the new books that come into the library. Help, I am drowning in books! But I can think of worse ways to go...

And don't forget Salt Lake County's Reader's Choice selections...even if you don't live in Salt Lake you can still access our titles. Here's a handy link: http://www.slcreaderschoice.blogspot....

And if you loved "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett, try "The Califf's of Baghdad, Georgia" by Mary Helen Stefaniak. It takes place in Threestep, Ga in the late 1930's and is filled with wonderful characters that will remain with you long after you've finished the novel. Told through the voice of Gladys Califf (age 11), you'll be transported in time to a simpler more relaxed age, complete with a one-room schoolhouse taught by Miss Spivey who transforms the lives of the children (and the town) through her fascination with 1001 Arabian Nights.