How To-13: "How to Choose a Good Book"

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You love reading, and you're dying to get your hands on a book. But you've read all your books four times, and are tired of the same ones. You're planning to go to the library, but don't know what kind of book to get. Here's how to choose:

Steps

1. Make a list answering these questions:
   
   • What kind of books do you like?
     
   • What authors do you like? Research books by authors you've enjoyed in the past. Chances are they have another publication that you'll also enjoy.
     
   • Is there a type of book, or a specific book you would like to try?
     
   • Are there any books in a certain series you would like?
     
   • What are your interests? Insert your hobbies into your library catalog search and set it to, "Keyword."
     
   
   
2. Search your house. Often times good books will be quietly collecting dust in your own house. Maybe you forgot about one or someone who is living with you has a couple good books.
   
3. Ask someone to recommend a good book. You can ask your older sibling, your mom, your dad, your best friend, or even your English teacher. Friends or family with whom you have things in common can often make excellent book recommendations. Local, small bookstores often have wonderful recommendations, and when they get to know you, it's even better!
   
4. Read book reviews in newspapers and magazines. Read the bestseller lists published in most newspapers or weekly magazines. Find out which new books are making headlines, and why.
   
5. Join a book club. Being a book club member is often a way to experience new books you might never have had the motivation to read otherwise.
   
6. See if the library or bookstore has computers. If it does, then look on the library's search engine. You can use the search engine to find a certain book, books by a certain author, or anything as broad as just a certain genre.
   
7. Ask the librarian or book seller about the location of the books you're looking for. He/she will be happy to help you.
   
8. Skim through the shelves in the section you're interested in. If you see anything that looks appealing, pick it up and read the back of the book. Skim over the back of the book or the inside flap, wherever the summary is. If that holds your attention, read the first page or so. If it still holds your attention, then it's probably a good book for you. The subject might be interesting to you, but the writing style can be key to enjoying it. If it looks interesting, put it in your pile. Keep doing this until you have a few books.
   
9. Find a place to sit, or stand if you must, and read the first chapter of each book. Of course, if you have so many books, this can be time consuming.
   
10. Narrow down your stack. So consider your selections. If you would rather have book 1 over book 2, put book 2 back. Keep doing this. If you would rather have book 3 then book 1, put book 1 back, etc.
    
11. Once you have found your book, try reading a few chapters just to make sure you don't get bored right away. You can also just flip to random pages and read them.
    

Tips

• If you liked the book you chose, it can be a good guide when getting other books. Often, if you look up the book on a website, it will give you a list of books that are similar. For instance, go to the Amazon listing for one of your favorite books, and scroll down to the section titled "Customers who bought this item also bought". Don't stick to just this one category though. Try different books, because you never know what you will find!
  
• Keep your own reading list. When a book has been recommended to you, write it down immediately and use it as a reference once you're in the library or bookstore.
  
• Make sure the book is age appropriate. Of course it's always okay to check out a little kids book every once in a while, just for the fun of it.
  
• Don't damage the library's books. You don't want to have to pay!
  
• Turn in the book on time, or you'll have to pay late fees.
  
• You won't do yourself any harm if you check out too many books, or don't read books you check out of the library. Just make sure to turn them in on time. Consider bringing a book bag or tote.
  

Warnings

• Don't think you have to read or like a book just because everyone else does. If you are reading a book for fun that you don't like or can't get through, it's ok to abandon it for something else.
  
• Reading can be addictive, but this is not necessarily a bad thing.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Read a Book If You Don't Enjoy Reading
  
• How to Enjoy a Good Book
  
• How to Write a Children's Book
  

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