Historical Fictionistas discussion

Since joining Goodreads, I have much more trouble choosing my next book! My TBR gets longer every day, so the long list gets more and more daunting!

So, how do you choose your next book? Any tips on facing my TBR fear?

For me it just depends on what I'm feeling at the moment. there are some books I read as soon as I buy then and others sit on my shelf for a while. If there's books I really want to read I usually buy them right when they come out, others I'll wait they get to the clearance pile or barnes & noble or they're in my used store.
Some books can sit on my shelf for years, but I try not to let them sit too long if I can help it.

It's a wonderful problem to have, isn't it? I usually just pick what I'm in the mood for - sometimes I set the first few books in my to-read list as the books I plan to read next but I don't always follow it.

With Kindle, it's really easy to pick up cheap and/or free books so sometimes I make a resolution to pick only from books I already have. Or I'll pick the book which has been on my to-read list the longest.

Sometimes if I'm not in the mood for a long book, I'll pick the shortest book on my to-read list.

I used to look at the reviews on the cover...well, over that one and the cosy world of reviewing by the media. I have just read Dunn's 'Sixth Wife' and a new writer called Jenkin's 'The Duke's Agent' - both had good reviews...both made me give up after 30 pages. They lacked pace, plot and direction and I felt really cheated as a buyer...and put out that an editor thought we would like them...so now I buy based on what I read here and Amazon...

This year I set many of my books into a reading plan for the year and as a result have read many of the books that I already own rather than so much impulsive buying. But then I also have my local book club read each month so lately each month has been largely set for me but I am always open to new possibilities and nothing is ever set in stone.

Heather J wrote: "...So, how do you choose your next book? Any tips on facing my TBR fear? ..."
I take it one book at a time!
Some days I look at all the fanastic books I have and start to panic - 'When will I have time to read them?' But once I am actually nose-down in a book all is a-ok.

I find that getting involved in reading challenges in various Goodreads groups has really helped me in this area. I then have a plan to follow for the next month or three, with a relatively small pool of books to choose from for each challenge task, based on the task's criteria and parameters. I've read many books this way that would otherwise have simply languished on my TBR indefinitely. It's a fun blueprint that helps focus my reading, while supporting my desire to organize my stuff and allowing for a bit of serendipity.

My recreational reading is pretty much set in stone. I'm in grad school, so I don't have very much time for recreational reading. I read library books in the order that they're due, and when I have time between due dates I read books for the Urban Fantasy challenge or selections for my F2F mystery group. Most of the HF that I read these days are library books, though sometimes the F2F group chooses historical mysteries.

Well I am in different reading challenges now so I chose books by randomly choosing a task. I usually do the highest point single book tasks then go to the highest point two book tasks. I try to fit one book into more than one challenge. Right now I am reading the Bookseller of Kabul because I am using it for one of my tasks and I am in a book club. After that I am reading Secret Daughter and then after that I am reading Phantom of the Opera. After that, I pick a task at random. Before Goodreads I just randomly select a book off my TBR list. Many of the books I am reading are taken off my TBR list.

Since joining Goodreads and this group, my online TBR list has really grown. Since I work in a library, I'm also always bringing home great finds as well. I try to alternate between challenge books and a library find, deep or involved books with something light-hearted or, like Shomeret, what ever is next due. I keep my holds list at the library (only 5!!!) full with items from either my GR TBR list or the huge TBR list on my computer at work.

It always seems that for every one book I read, I add two (or more) to the infamous TBR list!

What an interesting question! But there are so many answers. Often it is a book someone recommended, or because I have to read it for a reading group. In the beginning of the year I had a bad ski injury, and could only read books on the Kindle. Even though I can read regular books now, the Kindle is awfully convenient so I tend to prefer it. Many things affect my choice, for my taste is eclectic.

One year I noticed I was reading too many books by authors I had read before, so my New Year's resolution was to read a book by an author of every letter of the alphabet - one I had not read before. Fortunately I had not yet read the Autobiography of Malcolm X or that letter would have been a challenge (and I know it was ghosted, but let's not get too exact).

I set myself challenges or create lists and invariably by the time I have walked to the closest pile of books I have changed my mind.
I do try to alternate between different genres and styles.

About a year ago I started a TBR list on my phone in Notepad. I was tired of forgetting. I love to walk through a bookstore and pick up books that catch my eye, then start the first chapter. Since I can't buy them, I was forgetting which ones to borrow from the library. Then a friend accidently deleted my list off my phone. I cried. My sister found goodreads and now I can't stop adding to my to read list.
I add books all the time and I'm constantly rearrainging my TBR list. Then a challenge comes along and when most of the first 20 books already fit, I join. I do get more books read this way.

I chose my book because I was in a used book store in Florida and needed something to read. The book that jumped out at me was Jackdaws by Ken Follett. I don't normally like spy thrillers but I loved this book. It was full of history, empowered women, tried to be balanced in its judgment of WW II enemies, and made me think long and hard about the horror of torture.

I also read Jackdaws and enjoyed it. If you've never read Ken Follett, you have wonderful books in store to read like The Key to Rebecca and the towering Pillars of the Earth.

I choose my books in so many different ways. Recommendations on Goodreads, friends and from my book club, going to bookstores, used and new, and browsing even tho' I have lots of books waiting for me to read! Just started Christine Falls, by Benjamin Black that I bought yesterday at Barnes and Noble. Very hard to put down!

Sometimes I'll have a list of books I'm dying to read in my head and I have to read them in order. I'll have the next book lined up before I even finish the one I'm reading.

Other times I'll just browse the book shelf and my kindle and pick the one I'm drawn to the most.

I have Jackdaws on my short list of TBR books. That type of book, a spy/thriller, is exactly what I'm looking for most days.

Shawn wrote: "Thanks for your opinion, Shay. I enjoy reading long books also, but with the taste and change in fiction recently, I'm wanting to make certain."

I think with ebooks people are enjoying longer books. The only thing I really hate about long books is the weight of the physical book. Also, I think that longer ebooks have the perception of value- if you charge the same amount for a 900 page book as a 300 page book, you can feel like you're getting a deal. That's why I don't understand the big dustup over Follet's Fall of Giants. Yes, $19.99 was a lot, but it was just the price of two ebooks. But, people are okay paying $9.99 for 3 smaller, 300 page books.

Shay wrote: "I think with ebooks people are enjoying longer books. The only thing I really hate about long books is the weight of the physical book. Also, I th..."

My problem with ebooks, and the reason I don't have an ereader is I don't feel like I am really getting anything for my money with an ebook. I understand why physical books cost so much, the cost of printing, binding, etc. But with an ebook I feel like they shouldn't cost as much because when someone is writing the book, it's probably on their computer and they just send the file to the publisher and the publisher copies the file. I don't know maybe that's just me, but as long as they still make real books, I'll be buying them and paying the extra money to have them on my shelf.

Shay wrote: "I think with ebooks people are enjoying longer books. The only thing I really hate about long books is the weight of the physical book. Also, I think that longer ebooks have the perception of value- if you charge the same amount for a 900 page book as a 300 page book, you can feel like you're getting a deal. That's why I don't understand the big dustup over Follet's Fall of Giants. Yes, $19.99 was a lot, but it was just the price of two ebooks. But, people are okay paying $9.99 for 3 smaller, 300 page books. "

It's not so much the cost itself as it is the cost of the ebook in comparison to the paperback. At first, even the hardcover of Fall of Giants was cheaper than the ebook (on Amazon). The prices have since changed but the paperback is still much cheaper than the ebook version and that bothers a lot of people since logically, the production and shipping cost of an ebook should make it cheaper than the paperback, even if only by a small amount. I'd even tolerate it being the same price. But in what world is an ebook more expensive to produce than a paperback? The retail price should reflect that. Just like hardcovers are more expensive because they cost more to produce. So if the paperback is $20 and the ebook $18.99 (which Fall of Giants now is on Kindle), I wouldn't have an issue with it. I don't have an issue with paying more for more or higher quality content as long as the pricing make sense across all formats. Unfortunately, it doesn't.

The problem is that the publisher is able to set the ebook price while the retailer sets the paper price. The publisher also has a suggested retail price for the paper book which the retailer usually sells for less. But to the publisher, the paperback for Fall of Giants should be $25, while the retailer sells it for $15.85 - so to the publisher, selling the ebook at $18.99 or $19.99 is still a bargain compared to the $25 they suggested for the paperback. For consistency, the retailer should have full control over the price of any of the products they sell but for some bizarre reason I still don't understand, the publishers gained control of ebook pricing.

I read in PW that the bulk of the cost of any book is in three things: the publisher's cut (profit), marketing, and production (editing, cover art, etc.). The things common to ebooks and dead tree books. It's actually a fairly small amount of money that goes towards shipping and printing. Probably, ebooks are subsidising dead tree books because of the returns and stuff. (Ripping a cover off a book and calling it returned. Heck, just ordering more books than you need and destroying the unsold books or discounting them) I think that the Espresso book machine costs are at under $3 per paperback and not at wholesale pricing either.

Lori wrote: "I have Jackdaws on my short list of TBR books. That type of book, a spy/thriller, is exactly what I'm looking for most days."

Lori - have you ever read Daniel Silva? He is first rate with his character Gabriel Allon. This is a series so be sure and begin with the first book, The Kill Artist.

Nancy wrote: "Lori wrote: "I have Jackdaws on my short list of TBR books. That type of book, a spy/thriller, is exactly what I'm looking for most days."

Lori - have you ever read Daniel Silva? He..."

I have read Daniel Silva, quite a few in fact. I haven't read his newer books but the first 4 in the Allon series and a couple of his stand-alone books. He is good but not historical.

Robin wrote: "there is no acceptable reason why an ebook should cost more than it's (new) paper version."

In theory, I'd love to agree, but there is one good reason in the UK at least - we have to pay tax (VAT) on ebooks (luxury items) but not on regular books.

True, but fortunately I'm able to use the US store.

Lee wrote: "Robin wrote: "there is no acceptable reason why an ebook should cost more than it's (new) paper version."

In theory, I'd love to agree, but there is one good reason in the UK at least - we have to..."

Is that a special tax other than your usual tax?

Jayme(the ghost reader) wrote: "Lee wrote: "Robin wrote: "Is that a special tax other than your usual tax? "

Yes and no - VAT is our usual point of sale tax, but some goods are exempt. Children's clothes, for example, but not adult's. Fresh fruit and vegetables, but not chocolate biscuits. In this case, regular books are exempt, but ebooks are not.

ah I see

I have to admit I'm a total title person. Titles and covers. I will add any book that has an interesting description and/or good reviews from readers I trust to my TBR, but when it comes time to actually choose one to read next, I almost always go by which titles sound the coolest and which covers look the nicest. Cheesy but true.

Lavender wrote: "I have to admit I'm a total title person. Titles and covers. I will add any book that has an interesting description and/or good reviews from readers I trust to my TBR, but when it comes time to ..."

I'm a cover person too. If I'm looking for something to buy at the store, I'll wander the aisles looking at covers, then if the cover looks good, I'll check the title, then if that still keeps my interest, I'll read the description. Then, if after those the book seems good, I'll get it and check reviews when I get home, I'm usually a pretty good judge of books but if the reviews are bad enough I might end up returning it.

I walk around my TBR mountain chain scattered all over the house and see what looks interesting, often a switch in genre or depth. Sometimes I'm very 'rational' in my choice. EG, when I finished the expanded edition of The Stand (which is historical fiction or fantasy, depending on your beliefs), I simple chose the thinnest book I could find.

Well, when I'm strolling a store or scrolling down a list, a snappy cover can definitely draw my attention. So, it will help give the book a better chance than a bland cover, at least. After that it's more the blurb, reading a few pages, et cetera.

I'm usually pretty interested in what reviewers have to say, but I have to admit, I don't often spring for books that have mostly-good or mostly-bad reviews. Through trial and error, I've found that I usually enjoy books with a mid-ranked average rating, and I think that's because something in the book is unique enough to become a bit controversial among readers, so it ends up with a lot of five-stars and a lot of one- or two-stars. Usually whatever polarizes reviewers is something I'll end up enjoying. Just something I've observed...

Although I don't typically add a book to my TBR unless it's received a pretty good review from a reader I know I can trust.

But yeah...covers and titles all the way! I always feel kind of sorry for books that have "blah" covers or titles.

I have the WORST habit of collecting books. If i'm in a second hand shop, i'll drop like 40$ on half a dozen books and bring them home. It usually has to do with the topic of the book. If I see a book about acient rome, I'll instantly pick it up and read the back. If it's decent i'll get it. Then I get stuck with a bunch of books on my bookshelves (we actually have 6 bookcases in the house between my husband and I) that I haven't read.
I'm glad I joined goodreads because now I research my books a lot more and only go into a store when I have a list with me (most of the time).

Sarah (Loudog) Louise wrote: "I have the WORST habit of collecting books. If i'm in a second hand shop, i'll drop like 40$ on half a dozen books and bring them home. It usually has to do with the topic of the book. If I see a b..."

I wish I only had 6 books in my house I that hadn't been read. If I put them all together I probably have 2 full shelves of books that haven't been read.

Good question as to how I choose my next read. Since I still haunt two libraries, I would have to say it's usually a book that I have reserved which is read first. But more often than not, I am a mood reader and when this happens I often find myself heading to my own shelves.

Melissa wrote: "Sarah (Loudog) Louise wrote: "I have the WORST habit of collecting books. If i'm in a second hand shop, i'll drop like 40$ on half a dozen books and bring them home. It usually has to do with the t..."

Oh no, not 6 books. 6 book shelves! we have probably 200 books in the house

Sarah (Loudog) Louise wrote: " Oh no, not 6 books. 6 book shelves! we have probably 200 books in the house ..."

That makes a little more sense.

hahah yeah. Man I WISH I only had 6 books to read at home, that'd be so easy.

Nancy wrote:" ... Since I still haunt two libraries,..."

LOL I like the idea that we bibliophiles haunt libraries.

I am convinced that I will die in a library. I find this idea very comforting. Now if I could take all of the books with me---LOL

If heaven exists it will contain a large well stocked library with comfy chairs. And as the afterlife lasts an eternity I should have just about enough time to read every book on my TBR list.

Esther wrote: "If heaven exists it will contain a large well stocked library with comfy chairs. And as the afterlife lasts an eternity I should have just about enough time to read every book on my TBR list."

With a teacart arriving at 4 each afternoon with cookies. Exactly like the library associated with the English department where I did my undergraduate studies...

In one of my book groups we designed a nursing home for readers. Of course there would be a well stocked library with new books arriving every day. Wallpaper reflecting scenes from your favorite books and meals designed after those from books. It was so much fun to do this but as I get older I find it less so.

Nancy wrote: "... It was so much fun to do this but as I get older I find it less so. ..."
I would find it more so as it would be comforting to think that if I ever require the services of a nursing home one would exist were I could be comfortable, well fed and happily occupied.

Not sure of your age Esther but as I head towards 65, i feel the years going by too quickly. But if a n ursing home designewd for readers doesn't do it these days, heaven with a great library and unending time doe provide comfort. Just not too soon. LOL

Often times, I decide what I'm going to read next because it's the opposite of what I read last. If I read a crime thriller last, I'll pick up something funny that has nothing to do with crime, cops, or private detectives, or I'll read a historical novel and then something contemporary. This method keeps me from going crazy, especially with the crime thrillers and mysteries. If I read too many crime thrillers or mysteries in a short amount of time, I get paranoid and see serial killers and criminals everywhere.

I like that idea, I try to do that myself. Historical Fiction over to Fantasy. MOST of the time I bounch between those two Genres

Cheryl wrote: "Since joining Goodreads and this group, my online TBR list has really grown. Since I work in a library, I'm also always bringing home great finds as well. I try to alternate between challenge boo..."

I'm the same way. I read one book, and I find two more books to add to my TBR list.