As a child, I would devour books as voraciously as I would chocolate chip cookies. Every week, I looked forward to going to the library and thumping my stack of the maximum six books on the counter. It was my flag of victory over the librarian. She would always eye me suspiciously and check each book for damage. She would never believe that I could (or would) read so much in a week.
By late middle school, I read nearly every chapter book in the children’s section and had worked my way through the Young Adult. In high-school, I attended an early college where my library was just the community college’s library. It was difficult for me to find engaging novels there, and my love of reading certainly slowed as my love of Facebook quickened.
Now that I’m in college as a writing major and finishing my certificate in publishing, I have been looking to re-spark the love between me and a book. However, with the advent of Amazon and social media, finding a good book isn’t as simple as it was when I was a kid. I’ve been searching for my next favorite novel, and this is how.
The bookstore. I’ve been making an effort to visit Barnes & Noble at least once a month to see which books are on display, to take note of authors names, and to peruse the big hits. Barnes & Noble seem to advertise mainstream books that would sell to a casual, everyday reader, like Michelle Obama’s newest book, Becoming. Books by politicians and celebrities are also up front and catch the eye, then the books that have movie adaptions, then the rest. It’s definitely a great place to grab a cup of coffee and see the more popular books. Maybe buy a collector’s item or two. Obviously, if you’re looking for something specific, I’m sure you can find it.
Walmart. I’ve always been against buying books from Walmart, even before I understood the business. It always felt wrong to buy shampoo and the next great American novel at the same place. However, I’ve noticed that Walmart’s book section is a little bigger this year than before. They carry the usual popular books, the paperback romances, and the bibles. But, they’ve also been carrying a few novels that don’t fit into those categories, and novels that weren’t showcased by Barnes & Noble. It’s also easier to shop at Walmart because all books are front facing, and there’s less variety so you notice each title just a little bit more.
Amazon. Shopping for books on Amazon is either amazing or frustrating—depending on what you need. If you’re looking for a specific book or want to browse a genre, it’s perfect. If you want to just browse in general, it’s a little more difficult. Of course, Amazon pushes the popular books up front, but you can also sort books by the awards they’ve won, books on sale, books recommended by Amazon editors, bestsellers, and new releases. Unfortunately, the book descriptions are a little frustrating. They push endorsement quotes to the top, and the descriptions are usually filled with fluff—making it impossible to know what the novel is about.
Goodreads. I have spent the least amount of time on Goodreads. The website formatting doesn’t appeal to me, to be honest, but the descriptions are more accessible. They also have the same categories as Amazon that will allow you to browse. They also have more reviews by readers and by critics for each book, if you’re curious.
While you may have opinions about buying on Amazon, it is currently my favorite source to look for new novels. I’ve bought three in the last few months (more than I’ve bought in the last two years!). However, I have been making the effort to actually purchase them from other sources.
I wonder what my librarian would think of me now?
Image via Flickr Creative Commons