Random Book Musings: How do you start or prepare to start to read a book? #travelingsistersread #BookBloggers

Posted on by Brenda~Traveling Sister

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We are going to start something new here for us and see how it goes and hope a few of you will join in on the discussion with us. Norma always has these random questions she is curious about so she has asked our Traveling Sisters a weekly (sometimes more) book related question. We thought it would be fun and interesting to take some of those questions to our blog and see what you all think or do.

So the following question was a joint collaboration between Kristin & Norma while they were chatting about how they choose their books to read.

Norma’s random book question:

How do you start a book or prepare to start a book? Do you go in completely blind or read just the blurb or read reviews or read everything you can and research the heck out of a book before starting the book?

Norma’s answer

So I go in completely blind and choose my books by cover first and then the title of the book. I very rarely read anything about a book before starting. A book is like a present to me – I want to peak so bad and open it up but I don’t actually want to look inside the package until I am ready to open it up. The surprise for me is on those pages and I love being totally oblivious of what is inside. The only way I will read the blurb is if I am about 5 or so chapters in and I don’t get the feel of the book then I’ll read the blurb.

Brenda’s answer

I think one of the reasons Norma included research the heck out of a book in her question is because that’s what I do sometimes, not always though. lol, I hardly ever go into a book blind because I get lost and need to know a bit about what the story is about.  I read a few reviews and then the blurb before I start reading.

Lindsay’s answer

I like to read the blurb and a few reviews prior to choosing or starting a book.  I don’t do to much research, but like to have a bit of an idea what to expect.

Kristin’s answer

I’m always amazed by readers who go in 100% blind because I NEED to know *stuff*. Anything, really lol. No spoilers, but a general idea.

So, YES, I read the crap out of blurbs and non-spoilery reviews—full immersion. But my memory is as shoddy as my patience, so by the time I read the book I’ve forgotten half of what I’ve read! Win!

Please join in our discussion and let us know your answer.  We would love to hear from you!

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Published by Brenda~Traveling Sister

18 thoughts on “Random Book Musings: How do you start or prepare to start to read a book? #travelingsistersread #BookBloggers”

  1. Once I’ve decided to place a book in my TBR list (usually via a blurb or a good rating from a trusted reader on Goodreads), I avoid all other reviews until after I have read the book and then I read them like crazy. I devour the reviews because it sort of feels like I am discussing the book with a fellow reader. Sometimes I even filter the reviews to only show 5 stars or 1 star (depending) so that I can see an opposing point of view.

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    1. That’s awesome Charity! I like that reading the reviews after you have read it makes you feel like you are discussing the book – that’s so true! Thanks for your message! Hope you are reading something fantastic now! 😊💜

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  2. I read the blurb before deciding to add to my tbr, but when it’s time to read I just plunge in. I never read reviews beforehand = I want my review to be entirely my own thoughts with no outside influences!

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    1. That’s a great way to be Grace! Your review is completely your own thoughts without anyone else’s influence if you avoid all reviews before writing your own. I love that! Thanks for your response. Hope you are reading something wonderful now!! 😊💜

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  3. I loved discussing this question and it’s always so interesting to see how readers prepare for reads!

    Side note: I am admiring that pretty girl-with-books design up there! Beautiful work! The graphic designer in me is loving it, and the reader in me wants a a cup of tea and my book right now ☺️ ❤️

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    1. Well I did have a little help with that question…..LOL
      I find it really interesting how we all prepare for our reads too. I also forgot to say that I will pick up a book by a well-loved author as well without looking at the cover or title. 🙂

      That makes me so happy to hear that you like the Book Musings design, Kristin! I love it too and think it is adorable! I’m really happy with the way it looks!

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      1. Oh, true…Favorite authors are an *insant* add. I just added a new Paula Hawkins book today—it has no title yet, no cover, and no blurb, but I’m all over it! 😉

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  4. I go blind for books that are popular like classics or it’s by famous author. if the book is not popular, I read blurb. I might have read reviews on books I receive from authors but by the time I read book I have forgotten all I read about it so it’s a fresh start.

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    1. I can even forget right after reading the blurb, but I think that because I am just taking in enough to get the idea what the story is about. Thank you so much for commenting. It’s so fun to see what everyone does!!

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  5. I think about what genre I’m in the mood for and then I choose a book. Sometimes I’m in the mood to read a particular author that I like so I’ll choose one of their books. I don’t read much about it ahead of time. I may have inadvertently read reviews ahead of time but will have likely forgotten most of what it’s about and I don’t go back to refresh my memory. I like to read reviews about a book AFTER I’ve read it to see if people felt similarly. Sometimes I’m surprised by how alike my review is to someone else’s.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. So you can be a mood reader. That’s the best way to pick a book I think. Moods and timing can have such an impact on our thoughts sometimes. I agree too sometimes I am surprised especially if it’s a book that just didn’t work for me. Thank you so for joining in on our fun. I love reading everyone’s comments.

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  6. Love this! I definitely always read the blurb. I feel a bit strange if I don’t, like I need to have a vague idea of what the books about before going in. I’ve been tricked by too many covers before! 😆

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    1. Yes! Those covers can really set an impression and be disappointing sometimes!!! Another good idea to read the blurb! Thank you so much for joining in on our fun!!! I love it too!!!

      Liked by 2 people

  7. Before Goodreads, I mostly went by author recognition and sometimes book reviews I came across. Since joining Goodreads my “to read” list has exploded and my favourite authors’ list has really blossomed. Now I mostly go by author, book title, sometimes book cover and average rating because I’ll never live long enough to read all these books. Like Lindsay, I read the blurb and a couple of reviews before adding it to my “to read” list but, like Kristin, by the time I get around to reading it I’ve forgotten what I read about it.

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    1. Thanks so much for joining in on the discussion, Carol! Since joining Goodreads my TBR has totally exploded too and I don’t think I’m ever going to get to all of my books! But having too many books is a good thing though in my eyes! LOL

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  8. I am initially drawn to a book by its cover and/or title. Then I read the blurb. If I still feel drawn to it, I’ll buy it or put it on my TBR list. Reviews help make my decision of whether or not to read a particular book, but I don’t go looking for them ahead of time. As soon as I finish the last page of a book I immediately go to my overflowing bookshelves to pick another. If I’ve purchased a book or have it on my TBR list I know that something about it already intrigued me or it wouldn’t be there. So at this point, I re-read blurbs. Whichever one “speaks” to me in that moment is my next read. Since my bookshelves and TBR lists fill up far faster than I can read there is always something immediately available.

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    1. Oh I absolutely love how you prepare for your next read, Eileen! When I’m close to be finished my current book, I like to line up about 5 books and look at the cover and title and pick whichever one is calling my name the most. LOL

      Thanks so much for joining in on the discussion! 🙂

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