How do you create a list of novels to read?
By taface412
@taface412 (3175)
United States
December 1, 2008 6:58pm CST
I sometimes will get ideas from other readers and pick up a novel and then if I like their style I jot down their titles and make sure I read everyone of them. Currently I am readin the Nicholas Sparks novels.
But I notice lately the movies I pick out to watch (well some of them) are adaptations from novels. Usually these are films that either did nto get rave reviews or were film festival movies. But when I find one I particulary like and feel inspired after watching I jot down that novelist and check for the book online.
I used to solely read the books before I watched the film. But I have noticed with two films recently that if the movie moves me then I know the book will be even better because they draw you into their lives even more.
After my Sparks frenzy I plan to begin reading some of John Irving's books. Or at least the one that was adapted to film as "The door in the floor." I have to hand it to the men authors out there who can write on such an emotional level without ignoring the little trival things in life.
So to make this a true discussion how do you pull your titles of novels you want to read?
From movies?
From films?
Book reviews?
Friends?
Co-workers?
3 people like this
12 responses
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
2 Dec 08
Its easy to start with one book and it leads to a hundred others. I like to start with a genre I like and then I look on line and usually it will say, "If you like this author, then you'll like so and so too". Which really helps if want to keep in that vein of readership.
1 person likes this
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Couldn't have better myself about the one leading to 100...I wish I knew how many books I have read in my lifetime...I know it is up there.
I have never used that if you like this author then you might like this other author option. I see it all the time online, but never check it out.
Maybe I will when I am done with this list....but probably lead into a another.
Thanks.
@quinnkl (1667)
• United States
2 Dec 08
I don't really have a list. I have a group of authors I really like and always keep an eye out for books by them. Since my family and friends know I am an avid reader, I often get books others have read to read, and sometimes find authors I like that are new to me. When I was young (very young) I read most of the classics. I am lucky that my friends and family also read several different genres, and I get a taste of everything that way. I still prefer books over movie version. I would not go see a movie based on a book as they never lived up to the novel. But I have had a change of heart over the last 10 years and will got see movies based on books. I have many bookstores online that I get newsletters and lists from, and I check amazon.com and barnes and noble often to find out what is coming out and what is there to read. I often get books (still) from the library, when they are books I am not interested in buying or not sure I will enjoy.
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
4 Dec 08
I like the idea of recycling books. I used to hold onto my favorite book or just books in general...now I try to find others at work who are interest in reading them and give them away.
Thanks for responding. And happy reading.
@wayz12 (2059)
• United States
2 Dec 08
I usually get my ideas from fellow readers who like the same genre that I do. I would usually pick up my recommendations from discussion boards that I'm a member of.
Lately though, my favorite place is goodreads.com, an online community designed for readers. There I can keep track of book that I have read, books I'm currently reading, and TBR list. I get to connect with fellow readers and discuss books by joining groups with similar interests.
I find the place fun, and I trust readers' opinions more than critics.
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Very good idea there. I may have to check out a forum like this. Kinda like an online book club right?
Thanks for the idea.
@metschica25 (5399)
• United States
2 Dec 08
Hello,
Usually I hear about books from friends and then what I like I will search in the web and so many books will come up . There was a time I did have a book list of all the classics out there . I wanted to read them so i could see what made them classics . so far my fav are jane eyre and wurthering heights . Most i have liked but some nope I found to be too long and boring . Usually if I like an author I will read more of their books . Daniele steel is one of my favs . i also like anne rice, and nora roberts while is a new fav . Nicholas has some good books too that i have enjoyed . most times i wont see the movie unless i read the book. right now i am dying to see twilight the movie . books by: stephine meyers .
Take 
care
care@taface412 (3175)
• United States
4 Dec 08
I used to rad Danielle Steele. My favorite novel of her's was "Zoya". And I loved the movie they made with Melissa Gilbert and Bruce Boxlightner...do not ask me how I remember these things but I do. That was over then years ago I think.
My favorite classic is Emma and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen...I admit I did not read those books, but the movies (and I think they were produced by the British) are awesome. Last winter PBS had Jane Austen movies on every Sunday and I was hooked. Popped some popcorn and sat open mouthed and wide eyed. her stories are better seen not read.
Thanks for responding.
@ladynetz (968)
• Canada
2 Dec 08
I go through the library list of "new books" and choose .
Every time my mood is changing, I just pick something accordingly.
I love reading, I go to sleep with a book, I have one when I go to the toilet, one in my car.
I read a lot.Now, my interest is abot out of body experiences, and the library has quite some books about it.Very intersting, and scary the same time.
I also like to watch movies. But not to read the book or if I read the book, than the movie has so many things missing that I don't enjoy it very much.
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
4 Dec 08
If I really like the movie and it makes me think I will check out the commentary on the DVD. That's where I find out it is based on a novel.
And you are right they can never capture in 2 hours what a 400+ paged book can do for the soul.
Thanks for responding.
@kiran8 (15348)
• Mangalore, India
2 Dec 08
I would say from all of the different sources that you have mentioned.I buy books after i watch a movie like i did with The Odessa file and The day of the jackal, and most of the time from book reviews and recommendations from friends and relatives.Books are expensive, so i ask around if it is written by an unknown author to me.Whereas, if it is an author , who i read regularly, then i just read the synopsis and buy.
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
4 Dec 08
I stopped buying books a long time go, because I hve the tendency to buy them and never let them go. I still hamy trashy romance novels I use to read back in the da when I would lay out in the summer time....tanning lotion staned pages and all. LOL
I think I keep them for memory sake. Now I either check them out, borrow them from friends and recycle them to others.
Now if I can just let go of the old ones....hmmm that will be on the spring cleaning list.
Thanks for responding.
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
2 Dec 08
Good question, taface412. I have gone through phases with this in my life. I used to have a very detailed system of choosing from a list a classics, next from a NY Times book review that caught my eye, then one getting press for from everyday readers(and likely to be made into a movie).
Now I am in a bookclub, where we meet once a month to discuss a book we have read. I don't read as much as I would like and unfortunately, sometimes the only book I read in a month is the book my bookclub is reading.
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
2 Dec 08
Sometimes I even found some interesting books from reading my Glamour mag reviews on new books and movies.
I always wanted to join a book club and almost started one with a few girls at my work, but unfortunately most are not fans of reading. I plan on checking with my local library to see if they have any when I have time.
I have never checked the NY best sellers list. I used to get titles fromt he Oprah book club.
Happy reading. and thanks for responding.
@marifel1986 (179)
• Philippines
2 Dec 08
My older sister and I both like to read books but unlike me (who doesn't really buy), she usually spend her money buying books. So, I don't have any list of books that I wanna read coz I read the ones that she bought. but now that she lives far from me, I usually go to the bookstore and read the synopsis (or whatever you call that thing on the book of the book) and if i like it, i copy the title and the author. Sometimes I buy but most of the times, I just download a soft copy. If I like the story, I tend to read all the books that that particular author/writer wrote.
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
4 Dec 08
I am the same way if I am really into a book I will make sure I jot down all their titles to read them all before I find a new author and set of books.
I used to read the jackets of the books, but now what I do is if I like the title I will open it up to the first chapter...if it grabs me in it's tone I will continue to read it.
Thanks for responding.
@regal_aeros (2605)
• Singapore
15 Dec 08
i go by genre really....
those of medieval romance of scottish lairds and english lasses are high up on my MUST READ list.. =)
@Princecaspian (225)
• Norway
2 Dec 08
I hear about books sometimes from my friends or sometimes I just check reviews from amazon and select that book.
@thecrazyjogger (3178)
• India
2 Dec 08
yeah. .a lil bit.. i listen to the suggestions from my friends and then decide wht to read. i try to finsih the books i have b4 i go n buy new ones
@sunshine1010 (146)
• Jamaica
2 Dec 08
I really like your question. Well firstly I used to have a list of classics in my mind that I always wanted to read. I like to read them to see if I will personally think that they are as great as others say that they are. One other way that I collect a book list is by checking Barnes and Nobles websites. lol. yes I do. I go on and I spend a great deal of time and I check out there bestseller lists and I read little snippets of the books and I've found some interesting books that I plan on buying soon. For example The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. Also everytime that I go in a bookstore I look around and I just read the titles and the backs of the books and see if I'll be interested. Oh and sometimes my friends as well.
@taface412 (3175)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Very good ideas here. And there is nothing wrong with admitting you browse on book web sites. I do too. Only avid readers can understand.
Thanks for responding.
