What to read next?

By Dana Kaye

Ten Ways To Find Your Next Great Read

1. Read blogs. (check that one off the list!) Not only do book bloggers post reviews of books, but there is often discussion in the comments section. Those discussions will give you a better idea whether or not you'll enjoy the book.
2. Ask a bookseller. The next time you go into a bookstore, tell the bookseller some of your favorite authors and I guarantee they'll introduce you to a few more. Same goes for librarians, they always love to suggest new books.
3. Amazon lists. For those of you who online shop, take a look at the genre-based amazon lists. There are usually a handful of authors you're not familiar with.
4. Social media. If you've stopped reading the Sunday book review section (or your paper just stopped printing one) try following them on twitter. @LATimesBooks, @ChiTribBooks, @NYTimesBooks, all update with their recommended reads.
5. Ask the authors. If you attend an author signing or go to a writing conference, ask the authors what books inspired them to write or what books they've read lately that really blew their hair back. If you enjoy their writing, chances are, you'll enjoy their taste in reading too. Side note: thanks to Marcus Sakey for recommending CLOUD ATLAS and to Andrew Grant for ICE STATION ZEBRA.
6. Listen to NPR, Book Radio, or local radio shows that feature authors. Terry Gross of Fresh Air has introduced me to countless authors, and now Sirius/XM has an entire station dedicated to books. In Chicago and parts of Wisconsin, you can tune in to Rick Kogan on WGN. He hosts an author almost every week.
7. Watch shows that feature your reading tastes. If you read nonfiction, tune in to the Daily Show or the Colbert Report. Women's fiction? Try The View or Oprah. CBS Sunday Morning often features crime fiction.
8. Join a book group. Not only will you read books that you probably wouldn't pick up otherwise, you'll also get to talk (or argue) about them!
9. Subscribe to book review magazines. Print publications like RT Book Reviews and Crimespree Magazine review dozens of books each issue. They also feature author interviews and other articles that could introduce you to new authors.
10. Subscribe to newsletters like Goodreads, Shelf Awareness or, if you're so inclined, the Kaye Publicity Newsletter. We'll give you plenty of reading recommendations each month :)

Comments

[Jenn's Bookshelves]

Great suggestions! Thanks for mentioning book bloggers! They are my number one source for reading suggestions!

[Dorte H]

I know, I know. And now I have done all of this for two years and own more books than I can read in a year - so what do I do next? ;)

[Dana Kaye]

My next post: Best Places to Buy More Bookshelves :)

[Maggie]

Or you could ask a librarian at the public library