Depends. At times I go with authors in which I have already read. For instance, right now I am reading Atonement by Ian McEwan because I enjoyed a collection of his short stories (apparently they made a movie of it last year, but I paid no attention to it). So far it's proving to be a good book.

I like reading historical novels, whether fiction or non, so I gravitate toward those, peruse the back of the book and buy or not, depending on the sound of it. More often than not, I buy.

That probably didn't hep you at all, did it?

Jumper by Steven Gould... the book is great but movie does not even come close to depicting the book.

Referrals, definately. I ask people if they've read any good books lately or have any favorite authors and then I google the title or the author or both to see if I would like it too. If the book is at all popular, there should be more info. about it on the web than on the back of the book.

Good topic - it depends on how long the books is most novels are 300-400 pages - years back I would give it 50 pages nowdays I give it 100 pages. Recently read: Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen, great read a la John Irving a great American author who wrote: A Widow for One Day, Cider House Down. Tdhe World According to Garp Also, like Wally Lamb, I know this Much is True and She's Come Undone - could not believe a man wrote that one. Of Course, Nelson Demille is my favorite, espionage writer; John Corey the wisecracking NYC policeman. Now one believed he wote A Lions Game before 911 - but he did. Gives ya the creeps thinking of that one.

Great group

Luv,
Ree

i used to look at the new york times best seller list and choose from there. that was before college.

in college there was soooo much required reading that professors generally had us choose from the greats (not counting english class). from that list, i could read forever and never finish and they are allll good.

i happen to adore classic young adult literature and that i may be able to finish in a lifetime but it too will take time.

I was addicted to John irving a while back...I liked the Prayer of Owen Meany a lot and I found his other works pretty interesting also....

Jumper...that was a fairly recent film, yes?

Darth Vader was in it...Hayden Christianson, not James Earl Jones....

well usually i just go buy the look of the book (impulsive is my middle name) but whenever i really good book i read the sumary. the types of books i get are usually harlequine romances and have exerpts from the book so i read those if it has them. if they do not i read the last chapter.