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!