BTT asked: Do other people influence what you choose to read? When a family member recommends something, or a friend says they hated a book you were planning to read … does it affect your reading choices?
My answer: Yes, definitely. I think it’s hard not to be influenced, even just a little bit, by those around you, not just friends and family but other bloggers, the media, bookstores, and even libraries. Seeing a book on display somewhere, hearing it hyped online, or seeing a review of it on every other blog I subscribe to can definitely influence me in a small way.
That’s not to say that I will automatically read or not read a book based solely on what others say about it. I also do some research, read the synopsis, check ratings, and generally just go with my gut to see if it really appeals to me and whether or not I’ll enjoy it.
If a family member or friend recommends something to me, then chances are I’ll end up reading it unless I know it’s not for me. But if they’re specifically recommending it to me, then they know me well and have an idea about what I like. Even if they hated a book and I know it’s about something I enjoy, then I won’t stay away from it just because they didn’t like it.
So yes, I’m influenced in some ways, but I also take others’ opinions with a grain of salt and do some research of my own to see if it’s a book for me.
What about you? Do you feel influenced by others? How do you choose your books? Do you have someone who has such similar taste in books that you always trust their recommendations?
I wouldn’t have discovered so many great books or authors if I dismissed book recommendations. Love them.
2 Kids and Tired Books BTT
Holly (2 Kids and Tired) recently posted..Booking Through Thursday…Influence
The book bloggers have great recommendations.
http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2013/02/booking-through-thursday.html
Tribute Books Mama recently posted..Booking Through Thursday
Twitter: arabellabramble
says:
Sometimes family, especially my daughter but I find blogs are now providing a great source of new titles to read, books which I may not have come across otherwise. I actually reserved a book the other day after reading your review of it, (Raptor Red), a book I may not have come across any other way. I am finding that now blogs in away are fullfilling the function that just browsing through bookshops used to fill, I am finding surprising things to read online. I do have a couple of bloggers in particular whose recomendations I trust and sometimes somehting will just catch my eye and appeal.
Arabella recently posted..The Lair of the Clockwork Book trailer
Yeah, I completely agree! I’d say I get 80% of my book recommendations from blogs, not always because the person loved it, just that they exposed me to something new and it sounded interesting. There are definitely a few bloggers who have such similar tastes to mine that I can trust their reviews and know I’ll like something. But it can take time to get to know a blogger and figure out their taste in books. I’m glad my post inspired you to pick up Raptor Red and I hope you enjoy it!