Sunday, April 29, 2007

Where Do Books Come From?

After reading one of Jenclair’s wonderful book reviews, I decided to ask her where she finds her books. She has such an eclectic collection of books that she’s read and among those are so many books that I’ve never heard of before. Many of her reads come from the “what’s new” shelf at the library and from other bloggers out there. It sparked some great conversation on her blog. So I decided that I’d answer that question for myself as well.

I have no idea where some of my books came from. There are certain authors that I’ve read for awhile, and they’ve become auto buys. Orson Scott Card and Neil Gaiman are my two biggest auto buys. No matter what they publish, I’m buying it. Charles de Lint has become one of those auto buys as well for me.

Then there’s the “chocolate authors”, a phrase that Elaine coined not too long ago on her blog, and I like it. Chocolate authors are those authors who aren’t necessarily the best authors in the world, but they’re a fun guilty pleasure. Dean Koontz is Elaine’s chocolate author. I’d have to say that Stephen King is mine. His books aren’t literary genius, but I know I’ll have fun with them. So whenever a new King book goes on the shelf, I’ll usually buy it.

Most of my new finds come from the internet. The blogging world has become a HUGE resource of To Be Read books. Every time I read a review that I like, the book goes on the always growing Amazon list. Then there are favorite authors of mine that recommend books that they like. Orson Scott Card writes a weekly review column and there are usually a couple of books that I like on there. That’s where I learned of the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull (second book comes out on Tuesday!). I loved the first book, and am looking forward to the new one. Neil Gaiman mentions books as well every now and then on his blog.

I’m also a bookshelf browser at the bookstore. I’ve been known to buy books based on their covers alone. If a cover really catches my eye, I’ll buy the book just to stare at the cover, and most of the time I end up enjoying the book as well.

Amazon’s recommended reads and Listmania’s have been a great resource as well.

I seldom go to the library. I love libraries, they’re wonderful places, but I have a strong need to own my books. I like seeing them being collected on the shelves, and books almost become a friend to me that I can revisit later on.

So where do you find your reads? As Jenclair recommended, write a post about it and link back in the comments. Or just leave a comment on here. I’d love to know!

18 comments:

Booklogged said...

Gee, I enjoyed reading this post. My #1 'chocolate author' is Dean Koontz. Although I've sure been adding a lot of Charles de Lint to my library lately. I've only read some of Card's work and enjoyed most of them. I thought Lost Boys was a bit long winded, though.

One of these days I answer this question with a post as well. Right now I'm going to check out some of those links you've left, like Card's weekly review column.
Thanks, Chris.

chrisa511 said...

I love de Lint! I still haven't gotten around to reading any Koontz, but there are a couple of his books on my wishlist. I enjoyed Lost Boys, but it was such a sad book! I was so depressed when I finished that one. Card's weekly review column is great. He writes about everything. I've found some great online brownie and chocolate covered strawberry vendors through him. He also went as far as reviewing toilet paper one day...very amusing.

jenclair said...

:) Like you, anytime I like a book, I always seek more by the author! As for the "chocolate authors," they are so much fun aren't they? But the blogging world continues to offer new titles, and I love checking to see what everyone is reading. Brandon Mull and the Fablehaven series is new to me...see, I've found another potential favorite!

Thanks for a great response, Chris!

chrisa511 said...

I love the Fablehaven book Jenclair. It's very appropriate for children and young adults, yet so enjoyable for us older guys and gals as well. I think you'd like it! I'm so excited about the new book.

Marina said...

While I was working at the library (1994-2003), I would usually pick books up there. After I left, my main source was BookCrossing. I'd shop garage sales, used book stores, thrift shops, and library sales (love those $10/box days) to feed that hobby. And, of course, my family can usually be persuaded to buy me selections from my amazon list. I also save up for the end-of-year blowout at bookcloseouts.com (get $1 credit for each dollar spent).

I probably have more than one "chocolate author," and these come mostly from the mystery genre: Diane Mott Davidson, Rita Mae Brown, and Janet Evanovich.

My lists come from various sources: BookCrossing, series/favorite author lists, blogs, and amazon. I definitely don't need anything more to read, but I can't stand to miss out on the latest "great read."

I'll answer this question more fully on my blog one of these days, in between reviews.

chrisa511 said...

I do the same thing Marina. I have so many TBR books sitting on my shelf, yet I continue to buy the "latest releases" Can't stand to miss out. I had never heard of bookcloseouts.com! Thanks for the lead.

Anonymous said...

I'll answer this one on my blog later on!

Stephen King is a favourite of mine, but not so much a chocolatey delight - some of his books might qualify in that respect, but then others are more impressive. That make sense?

John Grisham and Mary Higgins Clark could qualify as chocolate authors too, although I haven't read any of their books for a few years.

Bookfool said...

What a fun post! I enjoyed reading jenclair's, also. I've only read 2 Koontz books and one of them was not typical of his style, as it turned out. The other ended up a top 10 favorite for the year. Now I can't remember the name of it but it's the one with the homicidal clown. :)

chrisa511 said...

Yep, that does make sense Quix. I think I'm thinking of King that way right now because the last book I read by him was Cell, which was good, but not a work of genius. Now I also read Lisey's Story this year, and I thought that it was a great book! Loved it. I haven't read any Grisham or Clark :/ Look forward to your answers!

Bookfool, :) Homicidal clowns are always fun. OK, so I'm going to have to read some Koontz. I'm apparently missing something here!

Stephanie said...

Great Post Chris!! King is definitely my "Chocolate Author" too. I've been reading them since high school and will continue forever. I usually use the term "braincandy" for some of the books I read....not literary, but just plain fun. I through Koontz, as well as Greg Iles, Nelson DeMille, and Janet Evanovich into that category.

I like the library. No way I can own all the books I want to read. Not enough $ or space! But I buy select few. And yes, the blog world has become my biggest resource for new books/authors to read!

chrisa511 said...

Stephanie, Braincandy...I like that one too :) I really wish I could do the library...I just can't stand to have to give the book back to someone after I've finished it :(

Ana S. said...

Great question, and I really enjoyed reading your reply. Here's mine!

Anonymous said...

Best book reviews

The latest books reviewed here for you! We review books in all genres: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Young Adult, Children's Books and Memoirs.

Anonymous said...

bookfool - that one's Life Expectancy, I think. Pretty good.

I'm pretty much like Chris regarding libraries. I have extreme difficulty returning the books, and it ends up costing me anyway.

chrisa511 said...

Haha, I like that one Quix...I can never get mine back on time either...they always cost me too.

Nymeth, heading over to read your reply now!

Anonymous said...

I also have a strong need to own my books. Which is followed by the desire to own them at a discounted price. I have been know to buy 20 or 30 books at a time on a whim just because they are at discount prices. For this reason I tend to stay away from newer fiction, just because it hasn't hit the discount sites or used book store yet. So with me it is mostly just the luck of the draw. I have gotten some really amazing books at $2.99 a piece and some real stinkers. The whole experience is part of the journey for me. Thanks for the good question.

chrisa511 said...

Megan, I can SO relate to that. I've had the cashiers at B&N look at me like I was nuts as I load the bargain books up on the register :p I also found a really cool online site called bookcloseouts.com thanks to Marina's comment above!

Melwyk said...

I get nearly all my reading from the library -- but I work there, so I could have a bias...
I love the idea of "chocolate authors" and have a few of those, too. I'd never read Koontz before I got hooked on his "Odd Thomas" series.

I've posted a fuller response to this very interesting question on my blog.