I noticed that I am quite marvellous at picking out books. You probably noticed it as well, I’m quite generous with my ratings here on the blog and on Goodreads. It’s not because I don’t like ranting – oh, believe me, I do a whole lot. It’s just… I don’t know. I apologize, I will sound like a douche for a second there, but, I’m quite good at finding awesome books that I end up loving.
The question you’re probably asking yourself right now is, how does she manage to pick up these kind of books? How is it possible to love everything you read? Let me reassure you for a second: it’s not possible to love EVERY-SINGLE-BOOK you read. Yet, there are some quite foolproof methods you might want to apply if you want to find your next favorite book. Let me guide you.
5 foolproof ways to find and read only books you love (well. almost. don’t trust everything you read)
Think (really hard) before getting new books.
This one might seem a bit weird, strange, or just fall into commonsense. Well. WELCOME TO THE LIFE OF BOOKWORMS, where we might want to buy books or borrow books from libraries on a whim because they have a stunning cover, there’s the word “murder” in the summary (well, for me it would be “childhood friends”, maybe, but you know, to each their own thing?!), or it’s from an author we vaguely heard of.
If you let yourself be carried away too easily, you might be disappointed. You might be mad at yourself for spending money over a book you ended up hating. No one wants that. No one wants to feel like Ross.
I’m buying 99% of my books and I don’t have a library to borrow books from ; meaning that most of the time, my wallet hates me, but I GIVE HIM A GOOD REASON TO. I think, for like, ten years before buying books “on a whim”. Okay, maybe just ten days, but still. I make sure it’s a book I’m really curious about and a book that sounds like the kind of book I could enjoy before hitting that buy-button-thingy and really making my wallet cry.
Trust other bloggers’ recommendations
Ever since I started blogging, other book bloggers made me buy too many books. Yet I can’t blame them, really. It’s by giving in, trusting in their recommendations, that I found some of my favorite books of all times. I’ll Give You The Sun was recommended to me many times and I’m in love with it. The Forbidden Wish was also much, much talked about and I’m so in love with it. I discovered Marie Lu’s books thanks to other book bloggers and, if they’re not 5-stars reads just yet, they are still high up there in the awesomeness list. I could go on and on for ages, there, but… I will someday. (this is a real hint. #youllsee)
Book bloggers have things to say about books. Listen to them. Read book reviews, read recommendations, absorb everything other book bloggers say about books – in the next blog post you read, your next favorite book might be featured. It’d be a shame to miss out on it.
But most importantly, trust your gut, know yourself and what you love
If I said right before that you should trust other bloggers and the amazing books they’re screaming about, it’s also really important to know yourself and what you really love. If a particular blogger you love is talking about a historical YA he, she, they fell in love with ; but you’re not too into historical books… well. You know, that might end up badly.
That might also end up greatly – I know I was surprised more than once by a book recommendation, in a genre I wasn’t too fond of, or didn’t know quite too well. Yet, because the book was cheap, because I wanted to try, because quotes I read, bloggers with similar tastes as I did enjoyed the book, or just a damn something inside of me had a feeling that this book was worth a try… Well, I read the book. I got out of my comfort zone and I ended up LOVING IT.
I feel like this point is making no sense. My point here is: know what you love (and let it kill you). BUT ALSO REMEMBER to trust your instincts about a book, even if it’s outside of your comfort zone. You might make a mistake, but you won’t get into the genre again afterwards. Or you just might discover your new obsession.
Don’t give in to the hype if you’re not sure
The hype monster is probably what we all love, yet fear the most as well. BOOKS. EVERYWHERE. It’s really exciting, but also fills us with this pressure that somehow, we have to deal with. There will be moments in your book bloggers’ lives, where you will be surrounded by books everywhere. Wait. That’s all the time. Let me start this again. There will be moments in your book bloggers’ lives, where you will be surrounded by THE SAME BOOKS everywhere. On social media. On every single blog.
EVERYONE, THEIR MOM, GRANDMA, CATS, DOG AND GUINEA PIG HAS READ THE BOOK.
It’s really easy to just order or borrow the book to see what the fuss is all about. It’s so easy to give in, just to have a place on this hype train going around town at the moment. Yet, it’s also so easy to be disappointed and hate the damn book and regret your choices in life because of this hype.
Hype brings: TOO MANY EXPECTATIONS. Hype also brings: books you wouldn’t even have an interest in, AT ALL, on your radar.
Don’t give in if you’re not sure. Wait until the hype dies down. See if you’re still interested, genuinly interested, or if you were just because the book was right there in your face all the time.
Be careful of eventual triggers that could bother or hurt you
Finally, to find only books you love, remember to look out for or ask around about eventual trigger warnings. I’m glad that these are getting more and more frequent in book reviews and talked about. You never know where you might find out about content that will hurt you, make you feel uneased or just ruin a whole book for you.
deborahkehoe says
I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve found books through other bloggers. But, you’re right! If you don’t like historical, or in my case horror books, don’t read them! You’re more apt to not care for it because its not a genre you love. Although I will say its good to get out of your comfort zone every once in awhile. Thanks for the commentary, good subject!
Marie says
Bloggers are pretty amazing, when it comes to book recommendations. I don’t know what I’d do without them 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, Deborah, so happy you enjoyed the post! <3
delphinethebabbler says
YES YES YES YES YES! I needed this post – I’m terrible about picking books. I’m a huge sucker for covers and whenever I notice that there’s a particular book that’s getting a lot of attention I just can’t help but want to read it too!
Marie says
Ohh well it’s SO hard to resist, at times, both when you see gorgeous book covers and when you hear TONS of people talking about a book in particular. Can’t help it, we are influenced by all of this ahah 🙂 I think it’s also good, once in a while, to try and step back and wonder if we really could enjoy this book, or if we’re just… kind of tempted to follow the masses ahah 🙂
thank you so much, Delphine, so glad you enjoyed this post 🙂
Kristin @ Kristin Kraves Books says
These are really great tips. I feel like I have a better idea of what kinds of books I like and which ones I don’t since I have started blogging! I am way less likely to fall for the hype now than I was before. I think because of this I have had the best reading year I have had in a long time!
Marie says
OH YES – I so agree with you on that, I feel like I know more and more which kind of books I enjoy, ever since I started blogging. It’s so great <3 I'm so glad you had such a great reading year, Kristin, I can only hope this continues in 2018 😀
thank you so much for your sweet comment! <3
Lois says
Again this post perfectly sums up my reading choices. I’m not a wizard of a reader who can go through 100 books a year, I tend to stick to the 30 book range and most of the books I do read end up being great. It’s not me being too nice, it’s because I know what I like and what I don’t in a book. I’ll admit to buying more books than necessary, especially because of hype and blogger buzz, but recently I’ve found that listening to my own gut pays off better. I’ll listen to recommendations, but at the end, it comes down to gut instinct.
Marie says
YES EXACTLY. In the end, even if I buy way more books than I used to, I always try and follow this gut instinct, as well. I don’t want to spend money on books I’m not really sure of, or just “because I have seen it somewhere”. It’s tempting sometimes, though, but… I try and think before buying ahah.
Thank you so much, Lois!! <3 <3
Samantha says
This is so. true.
I’m kind of disappointed in my book collection right now?? Which is strange because I have a TON of books, but most of them are for middle grade readers, so I feel like I want to start transitioning into YA books, because they seem more interesting and appealing to me. So I’m already doing one of the things in this post, I’m going on blogger’s goodreads and picking out all the books on their 5 star shelf and putting them on my wishlist. 😛 XD This was super helpful though! I actually can’t wait to get a book I don’t like, because I’ve actually never read one that I hated, and I want a review that’s not so positive. XD
~Sam
Marie says
There’s always a time when you’re feeling a bit, unsatisfied and want to switch genres – I’m glad that this post found you and was helpful to you in some way! Also, I read YA books for the most part so, if you need any kind of recommendation, I would be happy to help 😀
Thank you for your sweet comment, Sam! <3
Rasya says
I’d read anything that my favourite writers put out and so far I’ve never been disappointed.
Hype books for me, is a real double edge sword. I haven’t read any YA hyped books and just left the books on my bookshelf lol because I’m so scared that I’m going to be disappointed because I couldn’t help rising up the bar.
Usually, I’d look at the synopsis and the covers because I’m a total hopeless when it comes to pretty books.
Marie says
OH YES, favorite writers. I would read anything by my favorites as well, and I’ve never been disappointed. I hope this never happens ahah 🙂
Oh, I understand your feeling. I find that waiting a little bit until people aren’t talking about the book so much, works for me. Obviously, before that, I try and make sure that I am actually interested in the story, and that I didn’t add it to my TBR just… because everyone talked about it ahah 🙂
Oh, pretty books. They are SO HARD to resist, I agree 😛
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! xx
Jacqueline @bluejaybooks says
Great recommendations! I also get a lot of comments about how high my ratings are. Like you, it’s not that there aren’t many books I would dislike, there are many, but because I tend to be picky about which books I spend my time on. I also DNF a lot and don’t rate DNFed books, so there is that.
Marie says
It’s GREAT to be picky, I think it helps us to find the BEST books 😀
Oh, I don’t really DNF? I think I should, but I can’t help thinking it might get better by the end, so… I keep on reading, ahah.
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, Jacqueline <3
Jacqueline @bluejaybooks says
Yes, it does, though, as you mentioned, sometimes it can be good to get out of your comfort zone 🙂
Not DNFing can be a legitimate strategy too. I just don’t have the patients to finish books I haven’t made a commitment to finish, like say, an ARC.
You’re welcome!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says
This is all great advice! I find that I generally enjoy reading and can find positives in most books I read—it’s hard to get me below three stars, really. But picking books that I know I’m going to enjoy is huge—other bloggers I trust is great for this!
Marie says
Oh thank you so much, Nicole!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post <3
Bloggers are awesome, they are the BEST for book recommendations. One of the million reasons to love this community 🙂
thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! xx
Trang (Bookidote) says
These are some great tips Marie !!❤️? I think book blogging has opened up some great opportunities for me in terms of reviewing books by publishers so I can offer my point of view (they are real harsh sometimes) but its only because JUSTEMENT I dont want people to be disappointed or mislead ?? I am speaking franglais now. ? Definitely trust your gut !! I have been following that when I buy my own books ???
Marie says
Oh thank you so, so much, Trang! <3 <3
I love your argument there – it is SO good to be able to lead people, a little bit, when it comes to books as well. To let them know this book isn't to miss, that it's a bit of a misleading synopsis, or overall that it wasn't really worth it. I love to have these kind of opportunities <3
AND YES, speak franglais whenever you want ahah 😛
thank you so, so much, trang!! <3
It’s Lu Again says
Yessss!!!! I think a lot before I buy a book (most of the time) the only time the I wouldn’t is i was continuing a series that I am already in love with and NEED to know what happens next. I think about the books that I go to buy A LOT before I buy them, and I think that, as I’m buying them and not borrowing them from the library, I need to think about it a bit more??? I tend to not go for cover buys either, because well.. . there are plenty of books out there that I like the over of but would NEVER pick up. I think that this year especially has been a great year for picking up books that I’ve LOVED as I’ve given maybe 4 3star ratings in total and read nearly 40!
I tryyyy and not to let the hype get to me, waiting a bit after the hype has gone down to think “will I really enjoy this??”
I loveee this discussion topic, great post!!
Marie says
Oh I 100% agree with you – since I’m buying most of my books, I think about them waaaaay longer before hitting that “pay” button online or something, ahah. It is SO great that you didn’t give too many low ratings this year, YAY for amazing reads! 😀
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment xx
It’s Lu Again says
OMG yessssss!!! okayyy so IT WORKS SO WELL??? I found this book ages ago and I’ve been REALLY thinking about buying it as its contemporary (not my usual genre!) and I got it last night (THREE BOOKS FOR £10!! I HAD TO!!) and I read it in ONE sitting and loved it?!?!?? lJLJVHFJBGFDHBV
AWWW Marieeeeeeeee!!! xx
Marie says
AHHHHHHH I’m so glad to hear this!! You did so well listening to that little voice inside of you – that’s the one telling you the books you should get 😛
It’s Lu Again says
Yassss (JUST IMAGINE THE LIL CHUFFED FACE EMOJI BC I CAN’T GET TO IT ON MY LAPTOP AHAHA)
Sophie Li says
Hello Marie <3
Love your tips in this post (and the GIFs! They are hilarious!) The world of book bloggers has transformed my book choices as well. And over time, I also feel like I am getting better at choosing books that I will love.
I used to be a cover buyer, however, it didn't work out well at all! Since I began blogging, I paid more attention to other bloggers' reviews, which affected my choice in books. I also rely on Goodreads ratings a lot- I pretty much only read or buy books that have a 4-5 rating (not sure if this is a good habit to get into haha…)
Fellow bloggers have introduced some great books (and authors) to me, such as the Illuminae series! And Adam Silvera! And Becky Albertalli!
Marie says
Oh thank you so, so much, Sophie! <3
Blogging and reading other reviews has helped me a lot in choosing my next read and finding books I love as well. Also, you're not the only one relying on Goodreads ratings… I do that too a lot, I can't help it, when a book is rated lower than 4, I'm wondering if I should read it ahah. I don't know if it is a good habit 😛
Thank you so much, Sophie!! <3 <3
Sophie Li says
Glad to hear that I’m not the only one relying on Goodreads ratings – I’ve always felt a bit guilty for reading books with high ratings only. However, I think if it hasn’t led us astray so far, then why not continue? 🙂
Hope you are having a great week, Marie <3 🙂
Marie says
Thank you, Sophie, I hope your week has been lovely <3 <3
Valerie says
Haha I definitely follow ALL THESE THINGS. Which is why the books I do end up choosing for myself end up being really good, and I end up loving. Plus I don’t think anything can really go wrong with a favorite trope or genre. And I definitely listen to my blogger friends AND OBVIOUSLY YOUR REVIEWS TOO haha.
Marie says
I agree – I rely a lot on favorite tropes and genres as well to find books I love <3
Awww thank you, Valerie, that means a lot! You already made me add TONS of books to my TBR as well ahah 😛
Thank you so much! <3
Zoe @ Stories on Stage says
These are some great suggestions! I completely agree with reading other people’s reviews before reading and reading what you want to instead of just following the hype. Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous post! <3
Marie says
Oh thank you so, so much Zoe, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post! <3 <3
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight says
I’m clearly not as good as you because I’ve had a fairly meh bookish year. I find that far too often I pick up books that I *know* I’m probably going to moderately enjoy but not LOVE, simply because they have one or two things that interest me. But it sucks because so many of the things I’m dying to read about are in very few books, so my selection is limited (e.g. I love reading about uncommon supernatural creatures and characters w/ disabilities). I keep telling myself I need to stop that though, to wait for books I really think I’ll love.
But then my other issue is, it’s so hard to know! Some of the absolute best books I’ve ever read were ones I was iffy about. Reviews are so subjective, and I don’t have any one blogger who has my same taste and whose reviews I can always trust. I feel like I’ve gotten good at reading through reviews on GR and pinpointing what most reviewers seem to agree upon about a book, but even that can be unreliable. And I guess a part of me like taking chances on books? Like I said, it turns out well sometimes. Maybe that’s just cuz I’m bad at figuring out ahead of time what books I’ll like 😛 Then other times I’ll be super excited for a book thinking it’ll be perfect from what I’ve read in the blurb and reviews only for it to let me down and for me to wonder what the heck book every other reviewer read because surely it was not the same one I just read lol.
Marie says
I agree, it is so hard to know exactly what we will love! There are books I see, books I read reviews of, books bloggers recommend to me and I get this feeling that I might really love it. But it’s just a feeling, really, and I go with this to buy it and keep my fingers crossed. Really knowing is almost impossible, we all have to take chances on books and hope for the better, I agree 😀
Reviews really are subjective, yet I have managed to pick up a couple of bloggers with same opinion as mine on books, bloggers I trust with my eyes closed, really. There aren’t many, but they are here. Also, just by comparing elements here and there, things one reviewer likes, one reviewer hated and so on, I manage to sort things out and put a book on my “MUST READ, IT HAS TO BE AWESOME” list 🙂
I hope that you are still finding great books thanks to blogging, goodreads and other recommendations 🙂
thank you so much for your sweet comment! xx
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer says
I love seeing all the different opinions from even little indie bloggers I don’t know well. I get little gems from what they say or don’t say about a book. I do try to read books bloggers love in general… I feel like I’ll always be my own person and my love for them won’t influence if I love a book or not, though I do know I’m not the same as most people and take that into account. Great post Marie… One of my favorites you’ve written so far <3 I think that's because I SOOO relate… I'm pretty spot on about how I'll feel about a book, where I get tripped up is hyped… I don't buy them but just wading through them can be a chore if I'm not into it.
Marie says
I love that you said, “I get little gems from what they say or don’t say about a book”, that’s exactly how I see it. I take something from each review I read and I love it, it helps me figuring out if I could love a book or not. People inspire me overall and help me deciding my next reads, it is pretty amazing <3
Oh thank you so, so much, Dani, this makes me so happy <3 <3 I'm so glad you enjoyed this, thank you for your sweet words <3
Cam @ Camillea Reads says
I cannot emphasize enough how important it is not to give into book hypes! I prefer reading through book reviews on blogs and on Goodreads. I always end up buying an ebook first, then buying the physical copy months later if I love it enough.
Recommending books to friends through Goodreads is on way too. Another great post, Marie!
Marie says
I agree – it’s so hard to resist, sometimes, but it’s better to think about it than just give in and buy what everyone else is buying. We might end up hating the book and just be mad at ourselves ahah 🙂
thank you so, so much for sharing your thoughts, Cam!! <3
kozbisa says
The point about knowing what you love sticks out to me the most. I was trying to read more broadly for the blog, but I ending up DNFing a lot. Once I got back to the type of books and stories I loved, I got back in my groove. I am nota huge hype reader. In fact, I see the phrase “I haven’t heard of any of these books” on many of my posts. I have followed a bunch of bloggers for years, and I know which ones are the hardcore contemporary readers like me, so there opinions with respect to contemporary are held higher than the ones I see having all their 5-star reads being SFF books. Good tips!
Marie says
I so understand this. If I’ve been surprising myself by reading and loving a bit more the fantasy genre, thanks to book blogging, I have been annoyed at myself for trying to read other kind of books, to broaden my horizons, just to end up disappointed. I think it’s good to know what we love and, even if we shouldn’t say no to something different, it’s also good to know what we enjoy and to get back to it. Best recipe to get out of slumps and to make the most out of our reading lives 🙂
Also, even if you’re not reading the hyped books, you are making us discover so many new books, so… you are pretty awesome for that 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
Lydia Tewkesbury says
The quality of the books I read has increased SO MUCH since getting involved with various bookish communities online. I think that being picky gets really important the older you get, because there is suddenly so much less time to waste than there used to be!
Marie says
YES YES YES, that’s exactly what I was thinking while writing this post. So many books to read and so little time. It’s good to know what we like and what we want 🙂
Ioana @dragonwaffles says
I think being an international bookworm that only purches physical books twice a year when the planets align (AKA sales happen) has made me very good at this I think. My success rate is 7/8 books always AND I AM A PROUD BEAN.
My rules are: is it relly hyped up on booktube? If yes then I won’t enjoy it. I don’t know why that is BUT it happens so often. Am I allergic to this hype monster? Probably.
Marie says
This is such an amazing success rate, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU AND AMAZED? WOW. <3 Also, I think this is the ONE thing we international bookworms can be thankful for. Because we don't get books often, we are SO picky 😛
Ahah well maybe you are allergic to the hype monster, but in a way, that's great, you know which books to stay away from, that's for sure 😛
thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! xx
my1stchapter says
let’s be real though, do we EVER have self control when it comes to books????
lol epic tips though, i’m most definitely going to implement them next time i feel the dying urge to get ANOTHER book
Marie says
Self control? What’s that? NEVER HEARD OF IT, she says while adding compulsively 10 more books to her basket on Book Depository.
I don’t know self-control, BUT I TRY OKAY ahah 😛
thank you so much!!! <3 <3
Poulami @ Daydreaming Books says
So freaking true. My situation is similar to yours, I have to buy most of my books and from now on I’ll be keeping these things in mind! <3
Marie says
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post, Poulami! thank you so much for your sweet comment <3
Beth (Reading Every Night) says
I love this post Marie, and it’s something I’ve noticed about myself and my ratings as well. I have a knack for picking up books I know I’m going to enjoy and while that isn’t always the case, like you said it’s impossible to love every book you read, more often than not I’m going to rate what I’ve just read quite high. 🙂
I think in my mind it’s one of the (few) benefits of being a mood reader. I don’t stick to TBR lists but that way I know I’m always going to be in the mood for whatever book I pick up and that way I’m halfway guaranteed to enjoy it. I think these are great tips as well, I mean I do tend to be swept away by hype a lot but I also trust bloggers opinions on books so much. Most times it’s led me to amazing books that have become all time favourites, but a few times it’s warned me away from books I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed.
Just another thing to love about the book blogging community. 🙂
Again great post. 😀 <3
Marie says
Oh yes – being a mood reader really helps, I agree. I know that when I’m in the mood to read a fluffy contemporary, I’ll surely end up enjoying it. I wouldn’t do well with a monthly TBR, that’s for sure 😛
Thank you so, so much, Beth! <3
amortalreader1 says
Such a great post! I used to hear people say ‘you shouldn’t trust book reviewers who always rate 5 stars because how can they enjoy so many books?’ and i’m that person. I rate highly so often and it’s rare I find a book I hate but like you mention in here I’m buying the books so I go through such a long process. I look up the book and read tons of reviews, I watch videos and see comparisons on what other books they might be similar too.
I’m not one of these people who can just buy anything on a whim and just try it out. I perhaps would do that at a library?
love this post!
Marie says
YES – I am hearing this so often as well. It’s not that I’m… weird for enjoying so many books, it’s just that I feel like, after a while, I have picked some things up here and there and am most likely to read books I’ll rate highly.
SAME here. I think I would take anything on a whim, if I had a library to take books from. Since I’m always spending money, I’m thinking a whole lot more ahah.
Thank you so much, Hannah!! <3
Zoie says
You should totally own your amazing book-picking skills, Marie! ? I actually find myself in the same situation as you — most of the books I pick up are books that I end up loving. I’m not sure how my mind exactly processes a book and decides that it’s going to be a good story, but I for now I’m just going to say it’s good book-picking instinct. ?
Getting into blogging has introduced me to so many amazing books, but other than Wonder Woman, I haven’t stumbled across a hyped book that I didn’t absolutely love yet, though I’m sure that will happen eventually down the road. ? Trusting other bloggers’ recommendations definitely helps in choosing good books, but I’m a fan of trusting my gut more than only relying on reviews. That’s why I love wandering around my library and my local bookstores so much — I never know which book out with because it pulled at me to read the story! My favorite books are the ones that I stumbled across randomly by myself, not because someone recommended it to me. Somehow, finding a book that I love by myself makes the books so much more special ? Great post, Marie! ??
Marie says
Oh I so understand this feeling. I rely so much on other bloggers’ reviews and Goodreads and, well, being part of the book blogging community makes me always want more books. The ones we find by ourselves are even more special, then, you’re so right about this. And you must have amazing book-picking skills, that’s so cool 😛
thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, Zoie! <3 <3
Dina says
The instinct thing is so important, because there are books I knew I’d never like, but I bought them anyway. I was trying to be hip, but now I am filled with regret (and pie). The fun part is when you start following bloggers whose reading tastes are similar. Or, Goodreads lists of recommendations per genre. Those are fun, too.
Marie says
You’re so right – we should always follow our instinct. It’s hard sometimes, we want to follow the hype and buy the next “big book”, but sometimes we regret it ahah. Better to know what we like and trust our gut 🙂
Ahahah oh yes, well once you have bloggers with similar tastes all around… the book recommendations never ever stop 😛
thank you so much for your sweet comment,Dina! <3
shar says
This is really useful advice! I don’t buy that many books (I’m lucky to have a really awesome library) and I try to only buy books I really like. Because otherwise it seems like a waste of money, you know? However, I often get drawn in by hype. For example, I bought Warcross recently, and it was good, but not that good? I should have known because while I liked the Legend trilogy (but didn’t love it), I really didn’t like The Young Elites, sadly. Anyway, the past is in the past, so I’ll let it go.
Marie says
I totally understand – it’s so great you have a great library to take books from. This way, even if you hate a book, it wasn’t really a “waste” of your money, well not as much as if you bought it. 🙂
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy Warcross too much – it’s so hard sometimes to resist the hype, though.
thank you so, so much for sharing your thoughts, Shar! <3
Shanti says
I also read mostly books I like, and you’re right, there’s a skill to it. I often hesitate around hype. There are definitely some bloggers whose recommendations I always go for, and others whose condemnation will make me avoid a book. I do like libraries because it means that I can try out new genres which I might love or might not love (and with digital libraries, there aren’t even any late fees!) This means that when I buy books I usually just go for ones that I know that I’ll like, or have already read and enjoyed. But these tips are great!
Marie says
Ohhh digital libraries, now that’s the dream ahah 😛 It’s so great to be able to pick up books like that, especially the hyped ones, or the ones in genres you’re not sure you might enjoy 😀
thank you so, so much, Shanti! <3 <3
Kat Impossible says
Those are really good tips! I am not sure they are exactly foolproof but I do agree that following those little guidelines can help A LOT. I’ve sometimes ignored what others have said and paid the price by not liking the book a lot. Also, I HAVE to wait a little with hyped books because those are dangerous of failing because of too high expectations every single time. Great post, as always, Marie! (Also, sorry for being so absent)
Marie says
Ahahah no, they aren’t foolproof at all, I don’t take any responsibility if you follow these tips and it didn’t work out haha 😛
Thank you so, so much, Kat!! And no need to apologize for that! <3 <3 <3
Kat Impossible says
Hahaha I would never hold you responsible for my actions hahaha
May @ Forever and Everly says
Oh, this is an awesome post, Marie! I rarely buy books — I’m so lucky to have a good library — but when I do, I have to make sure that I LOOOVE it (or at least like it) because I’m broke, and why spend money on books I won’t like when I can get books that I do like??
These are all great tips for finding good books! I totally know my own tastes — although it’s always changing?! And recommendations/high ratings from certain people are definitely a big reason why I’ll pick up that book. And HAHAHA WAS THAT MARIE LU THING REFERRING TO ME. ??
Great post!!
Marie says
YEEEEEEES, obviously that was me referring to you with Marie Lu, you DEVIOUS HUMAN BEING. I still love you because Marie Lu is amazing and I’m going to read The Rose Society sometime soon and AHH I AM ALL THE FANGIRLING and it’s your fault ???
You’re so right – we should keep our money for the books we are sure we will enjoy ,or at least hope we will enjoy as much as we can 😀
thank you so much!! <3
May @ Forever and Everly says
Personally TRS was the worst book of the series?? But other people LOVED IT, so I’m excited to see what you think!!
Marie says
Oooh okay ahah – I think I won’t get my hopes up too high, then. I don’t know when I’ll read it, I have to see if it’s cheap or not to get it soon, so…money will decide for me 😛
lry93 says
Great tips! I definitely agree with the hype train one! I haven’t picked up a John Green book yet because of the hype surrounding it… and when I dies down I’m still always on the fence about whether or not I actually want to read it …
Marie says
Thank you so much 🙂
Oh, I get it. I’m the same way when it comes to certain books – even after the hype has died down, part of me isn’t quite sure about reading the book, or not. I think, if you’re not even having a little feeling about it, this feeling of, well…curiosity, I’d say, maybe you’re just not interested enough in it to read it 🙂
Amber says
All these things are really good advice. Even if it’s not book bloggers, I think it’s so important to trust the reviews you read. Know what you’re looking for – if someone says “I loved the love triangle” and you HATE love triangles with the passion of a thousand fiery suns… well then. There you are.
Marie says
Thank you so, so much Amber 🙂 I agree, it’s important to remember what we love and the things we can’t stand in our stories 🙂
Anna @MyBookishDream says
All of your advice is simply amazing! <3
I tend to research books a lot before buying them. First is always reading the synopsis and seeing if it's something that I'm interested in. Then I tend to read some reviews to see what people think about them. That's where my blogging friends come in, as I trust their opinions and they help me decide if I'm going to read the book or not. 😉 The exception is when it comes to favourite authors – I want to read everything by them, no matter what they write!
Great post and advice Marie! <3 😀
Marie says
I’m just like you – there is so much time spend researching books, before actually buying them… except for favorite authors. No matter what they come up with, next, I always have to get it ahah 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Anna, so glad you enjoyed this post <3
theorangutanlibrarian says
I think it’s awesome that you’re so good at finding books you love!! I totally agree that it’s good to be careful about what you pick up- a lot of the time, I end up disliking books I get on a whim, so I really should be more careful. But, like you said, recommendations are awesome- so that really helps with that issue- because ever since I started blogging, the number of books I’ve got on a whim have gone down and my ratings always seem to be going up 😀 You are so right about trusting your instincts and AHH I NEED TO AVOID THE HYPE TRAIN! It’s so hard to ignore sometimes and it’s caused me to get trapped into getting so many mediocre books. That’s why it’s such a sensible idea to wait till the hype dies down- I usually wait a few months after the hype for the bad reviews to come- and if they don’t (for books like Six of Crows) then I know it’s the real deal- but if bad reviews do come and I still want to read it, at least my expectations were lower and it wasn’t ruined by hype. Great advice and wonderful post!
Marie says
Ever since I started blogging, I ended up adding SO MANY BOOKS to my TBR, it is INSANE, I can’t keep up ahahah. But I am loving the recommendations and I feel like because of them, I am finding new books I really love.
Thank you so, so much!! <3 <3
theorangutanlibrarian says
hahaha I totally relate!! I completely agree 😀 You’re welcome!! <3 <3
Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight says
This is great! I am impressed that you are so good at knowing what you like, honestly! I am… not so good at it. I think I have gotten better at avoiding the REAL hot messes, but then that isn’t fun either, because like you said, rants are fun! I’d rather hate a book than 3-star it I think, just for entertainment value haha. I think my biggest problem is not trusting myself. Like- I will add books based on the hype, or on other bloggers, but then I realize that I don’t actually like whatever it is, so WHY did I insist I needed to read it? I am going to work hard on listening more to my OWN interests! Love this post!
Marie says
I had the same issue and I sometimes still do. The hype is the worst, at times, it makes me want to add tons of books, buy books I don’t even know why I’m interested in. Once they’re there, or when I start reading them, they have lost all the appeal they had before and I regret my choices ahah. I think I’m trusting myself more and more to buy books I’m really interested in and so far, it has worked quite well 😀
Thank you so much, Shannon!! <3
Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity says
There are only two people that I would really trust in terms of book recommendations and that’s because they have really come through for me in the past, haha. And because we generally like the same books so it’s an almost sure thing that if they recommend me something that I’ll enjoy it.
As for books on a whim… library, no. I only use the library for books that I want to read but can’t be bothered buying, or for books in a series that I’m reading and won’t know if I want to own them until I’ve read them all. I used to go to the library and just pick out every single book that took my fancy but I have learned from my mistakes.
When I go to the bookstore, there is a little more whimsy there, haha. I usually buy books I have heard of, though. Like I recently bought Stalking Jack the Ripper because a) it has a beautiful cover, and b) it’s a mystery/thriller (which is my fave genre). So there’s a high likelihood of me loving it. Sometimes I go into the bookstore just wanting to find a new book, though! Being a book blogger, it can be hard to find completely new-to-me books so sometimes I just want to have that feeling again *.*
Marie says
Oh yes, I so agree with you! As book bloggers, we see and hear everything about new books, sometimes way before their release date, so when browsing in a bookstore or online… nothing seems quite new anymore, which gets a bit tiring? I miss being surprised by a book that looks cool, at times. It’s great when you can discover new books this way, books you never heard of and end up being amazing, that’s for sure 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment and for sharing your thoughts 🙂
Leah says
I really appreciated this post! My tried and true method for only reading good books was only read the books that had a four-star minimum average on Goodreads. However, recently (maybe because I’m a more critical reader or because I’m growing a little bit and things in YA that never bothered me before, bother me now) but some of the books that were loved by the majority were not loved by me. This has caused me to break out of the mold a little and really questioning whether I think it would be good. I also try to read the Goodreads preview to see if I like the writing and the set up of the book.
Marie says
Oh thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed this 🙂
It is so hard – sometimes, more often than not, we are tempted to follow everyone’s opinion and if they think a book is great, it has to be great. I have done that tons of times befoe, but now, whenever I am getting a new book, I’m really trying to think of what attracts me and if I could love it 🙂 Ohh Goodreads previews are an amazing way to get an idea of the book, that’s a great tip! 😀
vanessawolfe says
Ugh I’ve instant bought so many “meh” books due to the hype or because I saw pretty Instagram photos. It’s definitely my 2018 goal to think longer and harder on what book I plan to buy. I will be buying more discounted e-books of books I know I’ll breeze through but buy physical copies of book I’m sure I’ll love for now on.
Marie says
OH YES. I should have mentioned instagram photos on here as well, everytime I see a gorgeous book here, I want to buy it ahah.
I think it’s a great way to get your books! It’s hard to know what we like, but it’s even more frustrating when we end up spending money on books we hate. Getting an idea of the book, having it at a discounted price or from the library if we have one, is better when we are not sure ::)
thank you so much for your comment!
Julianna @ Blots of Ink and Words says
you: there are some books that are EVERYWHERE
me: *coughs* six of crows *cOuGhs*
I TRUST THE HYPE MOSTLY EXCEPT FOR WHEN IT LIES TO ME (aka An Enchantment of Ravens :'( ) AND IT ACTUALLY IS A BIG FACTOR IN WHICH BOOKS I READ LOL
there are 0 bloggers i trust w/ my life for book recommendations, sorry @ some people BUT IT’S JUST- JUST- UM- I HAVE WEIRD READING TASTES OKAYYYY
Marie says
Hahahahahaha. Yes. I know. I need to read it soon……
I also need to run and hide right now, I so fail as a blogger, I know hahaha.
If trusting the hype works for you, THIS IS AWESOME and also give me you secreeeeeet. I don’t want to trust the hype too much because I am scared haha.
It’s okay to have weird tasteee, you’re the blogger we go to for unexpected recommendations 😉
Michelle ? says
I’m so jealous of you Marie haha. When a book disappoints me I usually thought I would like it? So maybe you actually have magical powers that help you pick out books ?
I don’t think there’s one blogger I would completely trust, because we all have different reading tastes. If a lot of bloggers are excited about a book, I will take that into consideration if the book already interested me, but I’ll always be hesitant haha. If I could borrow books from the library I’d listen to all the book bloggers and try everything 😛 Though that may end up with me being grumpy because I’ll also read books I won’t like haha
Marie says
Hahhaa, maybe I do?! I’m thinking way too much before getting any book, maybe there’s that as well haha 😛
Oh yes, if we had libraries… we’d end up with too many books to read though, even more than now haha 😛
Iris @ Hoard of Books says
I very rarely buy books on a whim, but I do often borrow books from the library/a friend on a complete whim. And then I do sometimes get books I don’t love, and I procrastinate. But, for the most part, I enjoy almost all the books I read. Even when I’m a bit bored, or don’t find a book very good, I still manage to get enough enjoyment out of it for it to be worthwhile.
Marie says
Oh that’s so great, I’m so glad to hear it! It is frustrating whenever we end up reading books we don’t love, and / or find nothing in them to entertain us. that’s what we read for, after all 🙂
thank you so much for your sweet comment and for stopping by, Iris! 😀
Alyssa @ breadreadsbooks says
Yes!!! Another person who thinks ages about a book before purchasing it. I am so picky with what I read that it keeps me from joining book clubs. ? I am glad someone else understands spending ages on what books to get. I thought I was alone, haha!!!
Another thing is I, too, am very generous with my ratings. If I highly enjoy a book, I give it 5 stars. Bam! I dislike giving low ratings because I understand how much work and effort an author put into their writing and I dislike putting their hard work down.
Fantastic post!
Marie says
OH NO you’re not alone haha, I am SO glad you’re just like me when it comes to picking books! I take AGES, really, it’s crazy and everyone hates me, but… I need to THINK haha 😛
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, Alyssa!! <3 <3
HeShotMeDown says
This is such an interesting post!
Marie says
Oh thank you, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Ruby's Books says
I definitely wait a few months/years for the hype to go away. I remember the hype around Vampire Academy, and I waited about 2 years after the last book was out to read it. I trust other bloggers to tell me which books are controversial, and I trust bloggers that mention trigger warnings. As for thinking before buying a book… It’s a mix between thinking long and hard, and going with my gut. I have had some dud, but I’ve also found some gems by going with my gut. But like you said, it’s not that I enjoy everything, I just learned what I liked to read, what I don’t like, and I basically stay away from books I know I wouldn’t like.
Marie says
Oh I’m glad you are kind of the same way as I am – I know how to trust my gut and I know how to stay away from books I would probably not enjoy a lot and… I’ve come to read tons of books that I loved lately, it’s pretty amazing 😀
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! 🙂 x
Ilsen Leon says
Just found your blog from my girl Becca from becandbones and let me just say, I want to read all of your recommendations right now! I just saw your blog but I already know we have similar reading tastes! I’m a huge contemporary fan and also I love recommending books 24/7 XD but anyways I usually get on board with the hype sometimes but other times I just go with my gut. I do rely heavily on what books to buy through reviews so reviews are very important. I rarely buy books by the cover because most of the time I get disappointed (Red Queen, The Edge of Everything, and The Wrath and the Dawn). Can’t wait to see more of your posts!
Marie says
Oh wow thank you so much for your sweet comment – I’m so glad to hear from a fellow contemporary lover – this genre is always my favorite one to read <3 <3
I'm sorry you were disappointed by some of your covers-buys, but I get it, sometimes a pretty cover is sooo tempting, haha 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3