We’re halfway through the Holiday Season between the excesses of Christmas and the promises of New Year. For many of us this means clinging to a few more days of indulgence before we have to shake off our sloth and get back to work.
The weather outside, not to burst into song, is frightful. We’ve had gales and rain and biting cold without the pleasures of actual snowfall. What better time to curl up in the warm with a good book?
Many of you will have received books as gifts. I did myself. I gave a few, too. Some were the silly kind of book that you often end up buying for people at this time of year. Others were more serious bits of reading that I knew – or hoped – the recipient would enjoy.
Book buying in the holiday season tends to be somewhat different from the rest of the year, but it still got me thinking about a topic covered by own very own former ‘Rati, JD Rhoades, more than two years ago. Dusty asked what influences you as a reader to buy a book by an author you’ve never heard of before?
The comments were highly illuminating. But time moves on and buying habits do the same. With the sudden explosion in e-books, I wondered, what influences readers NOW in the choices they make?
So, with Dusty’s original questions firmly in mind, I devised a few of my own.
1. Where do you do most of your book browsing these days?
a) on line?
b) local indie store?
c) big chain or supermarket?
d) local library?
2. How much of your reading is
a) in print?
b) in digital format?
3. Where do you hear about most of your new books?
a) bookstore display?
b) bookstore recommendation?
c) discussion group? (If so, where/what kind?)
4. What makes you decide to try a book by a new (to you) author?
a) word of mouth?
b) advertising?
c) personal appearance by the author at a store or convention?
d) on-line buzz or reviews?
e) book trailer?
5. How big a role does social media play? Have you ever decided to try an author because you’ve seen them posting on line and been intrigued or amused by what they have to say?
Equally:
6. If you’re on Twitter or Facebook or any of the other social networking sites, does it put you off if an author constantly plugs their own work or does the repetition actually make you decide to give them a try?
7. How influenced are you by reviews? Not just reviews from respected blog sites or publications, but reader reviews on Amazon. Does the total number of times a book has been reviewed, or the number of five-star reviews influence your choice at all? Do you ever read the reviews?
8. If you’re buying a book on line, do you use the facility to read a free sample before you buy? And has this ever put you off the book?
9. How important is price, whether for an e-book or a print version?
And finally:
10. Did you give or receive a book this Christmas? If so, what was it? And any suggestions for how you nicely wrap and gift an e-book?
This week’s Word of the Week is toxic, which means of poison, but comes from the Greek toxon, a bow and apparently has its roots from the practice of dipping arrows in poison. From this we also get toxophilite, meaning a lover of archery, which is not to be confused with toxicomania, a morbid craving for poisons.
Obviously, this is my last post of 2011. A very Happy New Year to all my fellow ‘Rati. Wishing you health, luck and happiness for 2012.
1. Where do you do most of your book browsing these days?
I browse online – through review sites, book-related blogs, and forum threads – but mostly purchase at two local bookstores. I use my Amazon wish list to keep track of books I'm interested in and use a smartphone app to access it when I'm at the bookstore.
I also often check out books from the library if I've never read the author before. Once I've established that I like an author's work, then I'll buy their books from a bookstore.
2. How much of your reading is online? Print?
100% print, though I bought my girlfriend an iPad 2 for her birthday earlier this year and she's been on a totally digital kick since then. I would never buy a dedicated e-reader but could see myself reading books on a tablet. They're very convenient, reading-wise, as well as ultra useful for day to day activities.
3. Where do you hear about most of your new books?
Forums, genre-specific blogs, review sites, friends.
4. What makes you decide to try a book by a new (to you) author?
Word of mouth, online buzz, then excerpts. If a bunch of online people talk positively about a book, I check it out on Amazon, read what it's about, check a couple of reviews and most important – read an excerpt. If a book does not have an excerpt, I don't buy it – period.
5. How big a role does social media play? Have you ever decided to try an author because you’ve seen them posting on line and been intrigued or amused by what they have to say?
Never. I don't see what an author has to do with me buying a book. If others like it, and if I check it out and like what I see – I'll buy it.
I think authors put themselves at risk through too much online presence because while their posts/comments won't get me to buy a book, there is the potential that they will put me off from buying their book.
6. If you’re on Twitter or Facebook or any of the other social networking sites, does it put you off if an author constantly plugs their own work or does the repetition actually make you decide to give them a try?
Does it put you off if some guy keeps knocking at your door everyday to buy his vacuums?
In other words: Hell yes, it puts me off. Someone who constantly harps about their book comes across as pathetic, to be honest. Other people are supposed to harp about it, not the author.
7. How influenced are you by reviews?
I can be influenced by reviews and comments by people online. Not Amazon reviews so much, but forum posters, review blogs, and reader friends can motivate me to check out a book for myself. Ultimately though, the blurb and the excerpt is what sells a book for me.
8. If you’re buying a book on line, do you use the facility to read a free sample before you buy? And has this ever put you off the book?
I won't buy a book online without an excerpt. And yes, sometimes I won't buy a book if I don't like the style/writing/story. Same as when I'm in a book store.
9. How important is price, whether for an e-book or a print version?
I don't really consider price that much. When I buy a book, I generally know the price range. Paperbacks cost so much, trades so much etc. I already know going in what it's going to cost if I like it.
That said, buying a 99 cent book, to me, is like buying a $10 e-reader. I'm not too inclined to buy it and if I were to, I'd not be too hopeful of the result. In my experience, it's mostly desperate self-pubbers who do this and that's not a genre I'm interested in reading.
10. Did you give or receive a book this Christmas? If so, what was it? And any suggestions for how you nicely wrap and gift an e-book?
No, but I gave my girlfriend a nice iTunes card so she can get more books for her iPad.
Some personal thoughts on authors and self-promotion:
To have a successful book, first – write a damn good story. That'll take care of most of the burden.
Then, target reviewers and other credible gatekeepers. It's too easy nowadays for anybody and their mom to "publish" a book. There are too many self-pubbed authors who have sub-par quality work out there and are screaming "Look at my book! Look at my book!" Welcome to the New World.
More and more, readers are looking for credible gatekeepers (the role publishers, editors and agents provide) to filter out the chaff. An author plugging their own book is not a credible source on how good a book is. Sorry. Not to me or anybody I know.
Authors need to get their books read by the influence makers, the people others follow, the ones whose opinions and thoughts others check out. Spamming every Tom, Dick and Harriet about your book is only going to turn them off. Just like people turn themselves off to most advertising these days.
Hmmm.
1. The answer is all of the above. For personal use, I tend to browse through the library, since I'm there 40 hours a week — when I worked in a bookstore, I browsed constantly. But I'm online a lot, too. Put me near a stack of two or more books (print or eFormat), and I'll browse 'em.
(for the library, I also use selection periodicals, review sites, and patron requests. There might be a bit (cough) of overlap between presonal and professional)
2. Most of my pleasure reading has been in print until this year, but eBooks are finally catching up. In the past three months, it's been 50-50.
3. I hear about most of my new books through blogger recommendations and professional selection materials and the New shelves at the library.
4. I'm going to say All of the Above again. Book recommendations are everywhere. Paid commercial advertisements probably impact my choices less, though, especially in my professional capacity. I'm utterly susceptible to book trailers though, especially clever ones.
5. Social media is huge for me when it comes to book and author choices. Heck, I might not have started reading half of the authors I do until I found this place.
Have to say, though, I stopped reading one author a year or so ago (from a different genre and site, I hasten to add) because a few things about which we disagree came up so often on her blog that I couldn't separate her character descriptions from her personal views any more. Which is a shame because I've loved her work for a very long time.
6. Constant advert tweets bug me. But tweets about releases, reviews, and appearances that punctuate more personal stuff are welcome.
7. If I'm on the fence about buying a book, especially for the library, I'll look at the reviews on Amazon. Actually, I look at the bad reviews first to see if there are any reasons beyond the silly or malicious that the reader ranked it low. Cover art is not my concern–plot and characters are.
8. I love sample chapters! Online, in the back of a print or e- book, etc.
9. Personally, I've almost stopped buying hardbacks, except for a few authors I've been collecting for years, or for gifts. And sometimes I do compare paperback and eFormat prices.
But instant gratification *usually* trumps price for me — do I drive across town to the bookstore or wait a week for an Amazon shipment, OR do I load a slightly more expensive electronic copy in the next five minutes?
Professionally, hardbacks last longer, so the library still buys 'em. With the library's discount, I'm still ordering *at least* three copies of every title I select. The digital budget is separate and depends on the offerings of our provider. However, we are allowed to request titles and I know a few independent authors have entered a contract with that provider. We still buy multiple copies of digital books, too, so our patrons won't have to wait.
10. People tend not to buy librarians books, which is completely unfair and something they don't mention in the brochure.
But I did receive an IOU for Fifth Victim and told that I'm not to sneak an e-copy on pain of pain. Hmmph. I also received two cookbooks from my mother, who lives in hope that I will fully embrace the Cult of the Crockpot, which I won't until the kids agree to eat foods that touch.
I gave a friend the first three Charlie Fox books in trade print (so she'll give mine *back*) and an e-copy of Fox Five, a hardback (which just arrived yesterday) and two Kindle copies of Alex's The Book of Shadows to various other friends the evening I finished it (because, seriously, wow), a few romances to those who indulge, plus a few eclectic nonfiction books to my Dad, who likes things like The Botany of Desire and A Bee in a Cathedral.
I have two methods for sending eBook gifts. I either send a print card with a note saying that I'm going to send the book so look out for it . . . Or I just send it with a Surprise! message and follow up to make sure the recipient hasn't deleted it or the spam folder hasn't nabbed it.
But a co-worker of mine bought her Dad a Nook, loaded it with thirteen novels, and then wrapped an image of each book's cover individually in a variety of boxes. She said it was a hoot.
Happy New Year, Zoe!
1. Where do you do most of your book browsing these days?
I don’t browse much. I generally have enough recommendation on hand to have an idea of what I want going in.
2. How much of your reading is
About 50-50, moving more toward electronic.
3. Where do you hear about most of your new books?
Writers’ blogs such as this and sites like Crimespace and Facebook. (See below for more on Facebook.)
4. What makes you decide to try a book by a new (to you) author?
Online word of mouth. I have a cast of authors whose opinions I respect. I’m always willing to try what enough of them like.
5. How big a role does social media play? Have you ever decided to try an author because you’ve seen them posting on line and been intrigued or amused by what they have to say?
Social media play a part for me in as far as what I read posted by those I know and trust intrigues me. Author promotions rarely do it, unless it’s an author I already like informing me of a new book.
6. If you’re on Twitter or Facebook or any of the other social networking sites, does it put you off if an author constantly plugs their own work or does the repetition actually make you decide to give them a try?
See above. If it informs me of a book I may have been waiting for, it will be noted. After that, my eyes pass right on by them.
7. How influenced are you by reviews?
Not at all. I go by virtual word of mouth almost exclusively. For books by authors I’m already hooked on, I’ll get the book, regardless of the reviews.
8. If you’re buying a book on line, do you use the facility to read a free sample before you buy? And has this ever put you off the book?
I never peek inside. (Hardly ever.)
9. How important is price, whether for an e-book or a print version?
I won’t say it’s not important at all, but it’s not the primary concern.
10. Did you give or receive a book this Christmas? If so, what was it? And any suggestions for how you nicely wrap and gift an e-book?
I received John Sayles’s UNION DUES. I gave my daughter an Amazon gift card. As for e-book gifts, print up a copy of the cover and attach it to another book, with a tag that says it’s ready for their e-reader. Wrap that book as you would any other.
Happy New Year Zoe. I registered for Bouchercon the other day and hope to see several 'Rati there.
In a hurry but a a couple of fast answers – there are authors I will never, ever read because they're such BSP whores. I don't want to read them, I don't want to talk to them, I don't want to ever see their names or faces anywhere ever again. I'm not merely turned off, I wish them dead. There, I said it.
I get most of my best recommendations from conferences. That's when I get intrigued enough by authors (on panels or because of reader buzz or friends' recs.
I LOVE samples. Yes, I don't buy books if I don't like the sample.
I'm with Sarah W. – instant gratification trumps price.
Zoe, I really have to browse on line because of where I live. But every so often I hop on a train to Munich or Innsbruck just to experience the joy of holding an actual book in my hands.
All my reading is in print.
I hear of the books I buy on great blog sites like this one, The Rap Sheet, and a few others. I read book reviews in American, British and Irish newspapers on line, and locally I buy USA Today and The International Herald Tribune.
I'm not on Facebook or Twitter.
Good reviews, naturally, influence me. But readers' reviews on Amazon? Never. Some are so nutty they award one star to a good book because they don't like the packaging the book arrives in. And some are just downright spiteful.
Have a great New Year and the best of luck with your work.
1. D. The local indie store is a used bookstore without anything newer than three years unless it's a bestseller; the only big chain is a 30-min. drive away; and online makes you search for specifics, not wander.
2. IF you count fanfiction, e-mail, no-longer-published-short-stories, and things similar, I'd say it's 75% print to 25% online. If you don't, I've read… maybe two books on a screen my entire life. Print for me.
3. What, no 'friends' option? Just two days ago, a friend said 'You HAVE to read this book I just read. Here's the title and author.' It sounds great. I've never talked to a bookstore employee who could make recommendations in the sections I read in; and most displays are hit-or-miss.
4. D helps a little, part of it is going into a store (or library) and reading the back and saying 'Oh, that sounds neat!' but it's 90% word of mouth/A.
5. How big a role does social media play? Have you ever decided to try an author because you’ve seen them posting on line and been intrigued or amused by what they have to say? No, never.
6. If you’re on Twitter or Facebook or any of the other social networking sites, does it put you off if an author constantly plugs their own work or does the repetition actually make you decide to give them a try?
Not friends with any there. I used to be on one's e-mail list; it's supposed to be a writing-advice thing, actually. I got rid of it because I started to go nuts; end-of-email promotion I could handle, but it seemed like 2 of every 3 e-mails were this so-called full-time author promoting her 'How to Write' courses, which, omiGOD, are on sale for the next TWO DAYS! No.
7. How influenced are you by reviews? Not just reviews from respected blog sites or publications, but reader reviews on Amazon. Does the total number of times a book has been reviewed, or the number of five-star reviews influence your choice at all? Do you ever read the reviews?
Number of reviews doesn't influence me; I'm also more likely to appreciate 4-star reviews, as those are less likely to be written by friends of the author. I read them to get a better idea of what I'll find in the book.
8. If you’re buying a book on line, do you use the facility to read a free sample before you buy? And has this ever put you off the book? Yes and yes.
9. How important is price, whether for an e-book or a print version? I'm a college student. UNLESS it's an author I've loved for years, I can't afford just about anything right now.
10. Did you give or receive a book this Christmas? If so, what was it? And any suggestions for how you nicely wrap and gift an e-book?
Gave my sister a gardening book she wanted, received this… thing… with unpronounceable names that's hte second in a series I've never read or heard of. And no e-book suggestions!
Yay, I LOVE polls 😀
1. Where do you do most of your book browsing these days?
For myself, only online since Kindle. For others, big chain bookstore in my city.
2. How much of your reading is
99%, I only read printed books I get as gift. IF I like them :))
3. Where do you hear about most of your new books?
Mostly, I hear about them on blogs. I hear about the author, decide to check them out, and bam, find they have a nice voice I want to read in fiction.
4. What makes you decide to try a book by a new (to you) author?
Neither. I don't trust word of mouth unless it's someone who knows me REALLY well (aka my mom) or someone who knows my reading tastes for some reason. And advertising rarely gets to me. Pretty much ALL new books I've read in the last two years have come from reading the author's blogs or guest blogs, then their BIO and FAQ on their site and analyzing their voice.
5. How big a role does social media play? Have you ever decided to try an author because you’ve seen them posting online and been intrigued or amused by what they have to say?
A LOT, but, mostly, blogs rather than social media itself. Have I ever read an author for what they posted on social media? I'm trying to remember, but I don't think so. Always blogs and websites.
6. If you’re on Twitter or Facebook or any of the other social networking sites, does it put you off if an author constantly plugs their own work or does the repetition actually make you decide to give them a try?
ABSOLUTELY. That's a BIG YES!!! I hate authors who try to shove their work down our throats, or worse, those who try to shove their friend's work down our throats. I get it, they're your BFF. I don't care. You write historical romance, they write paranormal. I don't read that. Stop posting about it every five minutes. I'm also VERY put off by "Like me and I'll give you a cookie (or any other present." It's like, if I read your book and I like you as an author, I WILL like your Facebook page. I don't need to be bought. I've NOT read authors because of that.
7. How influenced are you by reviews? Not just reviews from respected blog sites or publications, but reader reviews on Amazon. Does the total number of times a book has been reviewed, or the number of five-star reviews influence your choice at all? Do you ever read the reviews?
Nah… I don't care much. Unless the book I'm about to buy on Amazon has 123920 one star reviews. Then, I might get suspicious.
8. If you’re buying a book on line, do you use the facility to read a free sample before you buy? And has this ever put you off the book?
Yes and yes. I mean, gotta try'em before you buy'em.
9. How important is price, whether for an e-book or a print version?
Not as much. Books are so expensive in Brazil, that buying them for even 14.99 is still much cheaper. Also, books are investment 🙂
10. Did you give or receive a book this Christmas? If so, what was it? And any suggestions for how you nicely wrap and gift an e-book?
OMG, yes! I gave a book to my 4 month old baby sister and it was totally her favorite gift. She just shoved all her toys away to "read" the book and play with it. I was so happy. Check this picture. She's so perfect!!! http://tinypic.com/r/181aad/5 We also gave books to all my kid cousins (4,5,7 and 7), my brother (16) and I gave my mom and a 200 bucks bookstore giftcard!!! :)))
A lot of great questions here. Okay, let's get started…
1. I buy books two places – the local indie stores (Book Frog and Mysterious Galaxy) and Amazon.
2. All of my reading is in print. Nothing digital. I don't own a digital reading device.
3. I hear about most of the books I buy from recommendations. I get the recs from other authors, friends, bookstore employees, people at conferences.
4. Word of mouth makes me try a new author. Also blurbs and reviews.
5. Social media has no affect on my decision to try an author, except as a negative influence. It's just unwanted advertising stuffed in my mailbox, and that turns me off. I'll qualify that – I only feel this way when the advertising is overdone. An occasional ad from an author I respect is fine. But a constant, redundant pitch is annoying.
6. Answered in #5.
7. I am quite influenced by reviews – both by professional reviewers and the average Joe.
8. I will occasionally read the free sample on-line. I don't know if it has ever influenced me in buying a book.
9. If I want a book, price usually doesn't get in the way. I'll shop at the local indies even if I know it costs me more than Amazon. However, when the budget is real tight, cost counts.
10. Oddly, this Christmas did not see books passed around as gifts. I think it's mainly because we're kind of strapped and not spending money on anything other than the essentials. Although I did receive an Amazon gift card, which has been put to good use. Wait, and my kids each received a Book Frog gift card, which they will use this weekend to purchase books at the indie store.
Hi Zoë,
I met you and your books here, and I gave a few of them to friends for Christmas. One was a e-book that I digitally wrapped in a gorgeous e-card by copying it's download link to the e-card's signature page.
I am very sad that authors' blogs seem to be starting to shut down. I think it is a huge mistake because the information you acquire from polls can be terribly misleading. The long-term effects of blogs like Murderati cannot be measured in rising book sales, I believe, because there is too much lag between "hits" and purchases.
What you get from blogging are people interested in you as a person. If they like you they will buy your books. They will talk them up. They will feel invested in you – like a friend. This is a process that cannot be measured on the short term, and it can be misattributed on the long term.
Blogging works best for you who enjoy it. Don't do it if you don't want to make "friends" with your readers. If you blog to increase sales – only, then you stand a fair chance of being miserable. If your sales jump, you might give the blog undue credit. If your sales slump, you might not give the blog the credit it is due.
xo
_________________________
Walking is highly overrated.
Reading a book is not.
1. Online — and I use friends (and virtual friends) as sources for at least some. For example, I use Murderati quite a bit to find new writers.
2. For pleasure: 97 percent with a little reserved for nonfic articles.
3. See #1
4. Word of Mouth — and as a PR pro I can tell you I remain convinced this is the still the most effective. That said, WoM delivery is changing — tweets, FB recs, blogs etc. in addition to good old fashioned face-to-face conversation.
5. Again, I've used the 'Rati for this — and with some of our guests. and
6. I hate it. I've got a several friend requests that I'm hesitant to accept because I can see these people marketing ad nauseum already.
7. I do look at reviews, but very inconsistently. It's also usually when I've already decided to buy that book or one like it and I'm wavering. Number of reviews doesn't influence me as much as the quality of them. After years of being in this business and with my overly developed BS detector due to the whole PR expertise, I can usually smell a planted review as well. Those can definitely push me in the negative direction.
Boy am I a curmudgeon when it comes to marketing, aren't I? I am keenly aware of how strange this is . . .
8. I've only done it once or twice. It didn't affect my decision.
9. Price, if it's within a "reasonable" range," is rarely a factor for me. I'm going for content and anticipated experience, not the cheapest book at the sale.
10. No, but I've bought myself some and will be buying more. The one I got more recently is nonfiction: I Hate You! Don't Leave Me! — about growing up with a parent with borderline personality. Not light reading, but it promises to be interesting.
Hi Zoë
1. book browsing
a) on line (here, and goodreads) and d) local library
2. reading is
a) in print mainly
b) in digital format (your books), I guess this will increase as fav authors publish e-books only 🙂
3. Where do you hear about most of your new books?
c) discussion group Goodreads – earlier this year signed up; check out who else writes like sometimes, and recently, library bookchat group
4. What makes you decide to try a book by a new (to you) author?
a) word of mouth, rarely, only because I rarely talk about books as such; though have tried and like some authors because of suggestions.
d) on-line buzz or reviews – depends on what they are like – sometimes I’ve ‘just had enough’ of a genre.
5. How big a role does social media play? Have you ever decided to try an author because you’ve seen them posting on line and been intrigued or amused by what they have to say? Have tried the authors on here and those mentioned…If I’m wondering about an author will check the website, and that can put me off, if intrigued or amused or liking the background will see me checking out the library catalogue… which (fortunately) has lots of murderati authors’ books.
6. If you’re on Twitter or Facebook or any of the other social networking sites, does it put you off if an author constantly plugs their own work or does the repetition actually make you decide to give them a try? Very put off by an author who constantly plugs own work – though like to hear about when latest will be available and how it is going, and maybe a snippet or two. I just don’t get twitter, and am barely on FB though! I do like some blogs, it's that connection and background and and 'investment' in the whole experience of a book.
7. How influenced are you by reviews? Amazon reviews hmmm, annoying, preference for goodreads (to a point), though even then I take with a grain of salt. Have been interested in the controversy around Amazon and the way books are promoted (or not). I dislike the way Amazon operates.
8. If you’re buying a book on line, do you use the facility to read a free sample before you buy? And has this ever put you off the book? Only just started to do that and yes, it has put me off. In saying that, I prefer a real book to look at, and if it is a new book in a series I'm following anyway, prefer not too much detail (so am unlikely to look at Amazon).
9. How important is price, whether for an e-book or a print version? Quite important, I’d love to be able to support authors, though the library is my first option. Will buy an ebook I really really want to read, as it won't be available at the library.
10. Did you give or receive a book this Christmas? If so, what was it? And any suggestions for how you nicely wrap and gift an e-book? Helped my parents buy a kindle, and an author I like had a xmas freebie novella which was such a treat (so no, not really). Gifting and nicely wrapping an e-book – not quite the same is it? I’d probably create some kind of gift certificate, if I was giving one.
All the very best for the New Year Zoë, and thanks to all of you on Murderati for such a thought-provoking and entertaining year… it's a very wet and windy New Year here in so am heading to the library.
Hi Just A Reader
Thanks for such a comprehensive answer. I particularly like your use of both online and local bookstore resources. Seems like a nice way to spread things around.
You mention that you hear about most of your new books on forums, genre-specific blogs and review sites. Any names would be welcome as I’d like to compile the results of this mini-survey and give some feedback at a later date.
I, too, love excerpts from books and although I’m prepared to buy known-to-me authors on the strength of it being their new title, I always prefer to read some of the book before I buy someone I don’t know.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who dislikes the constant drip-drip of me-me-me promotion. I try not to do it but others seem to quite blatantly.
There does seem to be a bit of backlash against very very cheap e-books, which is a good thing for the perceived value of the product, I think. A lot of work goes into a book and regardless of the numbers sold the price should reflect a little of that effort.
Thanks for the thoughts on authors and self-promotion, too. Very interesting and useful info!
Hi Sarah
Tell us more about the ‘professional selection materials’ you use as a librarian?
Interesting that you love book trailers, as I seem to remember the last time this question came up book trailers actually had very little influence. Times may be a changing …
Sorry to hear you were put off a particular author’s work by the personal opinions she expressed on her blog etc.
Finding the right balance of information and interaction is always a tricky one on social media sites.
LOL about the Amazon reviews. I’m afraid I always look at the bad reviews first as well – but that’s just the author in me. I always want the bad news before the good. And a range of opinions is always more valuable than gushing praise, although some people give one-star reviews for the strangest reasons. The worst I came across was the reader punishing the author with a bad review because they hadn’t read the description of the book closely enough to realise it was a French translation …
I’m fascinated by the lending system you have for digital books at your library. I may email you about that separately, if I may?
Thank you for gifting the Charlie Fox books to your friend – I hope she enjoys them!
And what a nice idea your co-worker had for wrapping those Nook e-books 🙂
Happy New Year to you, also!
Hi Dana
Sounds like your TBR pile, like mine, has become more of an entire TBR bookshelf.
Interesting that author recommendations of other authors’ work seem to be coming up as a good way to hear about new books, as much as – if not more than – reader or reviewer recommendations.
How can you resist looking inside the book if you don’t know the author? You might love the concept but hate the voice?
Like the two-books-in-one gift idea, too. Happy New Year to you!
Hi Alex
Erm, have you ever thought of speaking your mind a bit more? I’m sensing ambivalence there …
I seem to get a lot of my new-to-me author recommendations from seeing authors on panels at conferences like Bouchercon.
So, if instant gratification trumps price does that mean the e-book version could be the same price as the paperback?
Hi Richard
I confess to still being a fan of the dead-tree version of a book, but convenience and that instant gratification Alex and Sarah mentioned does have a part to play. So does storage space … But nothing quite beats browsing in a real bookstore, where an eye-catching cover or title can persuade me to pick up a new book and give it a try. I’m not a sci-fi reader, but found one of my favourite authors by the “Ooh shiny!” method.
Interesting viewpoint on Amazon reviews, btw. Some of them do defy belief, but others can be genuinely thoughtful and in-depth.
Thanks for the good wishes – and a Happy New Year to you, too.
Hi Alaina
How could I miss out friends from question three? Doh! Maybe I thought I’d already covered that in another question. Or maybe I’m not yet over my Christmas lurgy and my brain is still fried 🙂 Sorry about that.
I’ve found that independent mystery bookstore staff in the States are excellent at suggesting books, but I’d never go into a UK bookstore and ask them to recommend a book. It’s just not the way things are done over here. Or not in my experience, anyway. The scarcity of specialist mystery bookstores doesn’t help, I guess.
Have to wonder who bought you the book you’d never heard of … and why!
Hi Barbie
Interesting that you seem to prefer to find your own recommendations rather than trust those of other people. I do find that if someone gushes about a book too much, it actively puts me off trying it. Interesting, too, that blogs and websites are more influential to you than the likes of Twitter and Facebook.
I’ve always wondered about the ‘like me and I’ll give you free stuff’ style of attracting new readers and wasn’t sure it worked. I wouldn’t be comfortable feeling I had to bribe people, I admit 🙂
Actually, if I came across a book that had 123920 one-star reviews, I probably WOULD give it a go, just to see if it could possibly be as bad as it was made out to be …
Nice pic of your sister at the start of her reading career, btw 🙂
Hi Stephen
Book Frog is a new one on me – I’ll have to search that one out. Hope your kids find something to delight them on the shelves there.
Thanks for your info. I’m tempted to ask how often a recommended book lives up to your expectations?
Hi Reine
Thank you for spreading the word this Christmas 🙂
Interesting point about blogging and enjoying it. I suppose we’re all trying to work out how much writing time should be attributed to a work-in-progress novel and how much to blogging, guest blogs etc.
I make a point of not looking at my sales figures – that way madness lies!
Hi Pari
I love that you’ve given your own slant to question 2 (do you read in print or digital format). Answering it by saying you read for pleasure humbles me because it gets back to what it’s really all about. Reading. Thank you for that 🙂
I hadn’t thought of Word of Mouth as being Twitter-delivered. So many people hold their conversations on line these days that I forget people don’t seem to talk to each other as much as they once did.
I don’t think you’re a curmudgeon regarding marketing at all. I’m very interested in how you, as a PR pro, go about promoting yourself and your work without falling into the pits just waiting to trap the unwary.
Love the title of your Christmas pressie book. I wonder about reading it in public, though … it’s one of those times when using an e-reader so nobody knows what you’re reading so intently might just come in useful 🙂
Hi Karen
I love going and having a wander through our local library, and the randomness of some of the book arrangements has led to me finding one or two gems I might not have done otherwise. I do re-read books, so if I have something out of the library and enjoy it, I’ll probably buy my own copy to hang onto.
Thanks and all the best to you for New Year, also! Hope the weather settles down in NZ – not to mention the tremors!
>>>So, if instant gratification trumps price does that mean the e-book version could be the same price as the paperback? <<<<
Oh, yeah, Z, for a book I want, I pay paperback price for the e book version all the time. Amazon One-Click is of the devil.
But look, with gas prices the way they are, how much am I really saving by driving to a book store, or library even? Not to mention what my time is worth? Let's just think a second and do the math (not a phrase you will hear from me often, actually, but I mean it.)
I support the hell out of my indie bookstores and I ALWAYS check my friends' books out when I go to the library, just like liking them on Facebook, only with library circulation. But $6.99 for an e book is a no-brainer for me. Still, I think $2.99 is the e book price point for unknown commodities.
Hi Alex
Yeah, with gas prices over here around $10 a gallon, I hear you on THAT front. But on Play.com or Amazon, often the postage is included so it doesn’t cost any more to have a dead-tree version mailed out. (Still, you don’t get the book RIGHT NOW, do you?)
I’m intrigued that you’re happy to pay the same price. I’m hearing this more and more, and hope it’s a sign that the race for the bottom of the e-book market has settled down a little.
Zoë,
Our library selectors use BookList, Locus, PW, American Libraries, RT, newspapers reviews (local, Chicago, NYT, etc.), School Library Journal, VOYA, Horn Book, Baker & Taylor lists, Ingram Advance, Powell's staff reviews, professional writer's association news sites . . . and a few others. I think the horror selector used to say she read Fangoria for the reviews, but that might have been an excuse . . .
We have two digital loaning systems for text and audio: NetLibrary, which is primarily nonfiction and is now part of EBSCOhost, and Overdrive (www.overdrive.com/), which seems to be the go-to company for electronic fiction in U.S. libraries.
Have we talked about Overdrive before, or was that someone else? Please e-mail me if you like — if I can't answer your questions, I'll ask the librarian who selects our eBooks.
And I'm a movie trailer junkie, too. A movie trailer is like the gooey center of a cinnamon roll — all the good stuff in one bite.
Ten dollars a GALLON? Seriously? Is that in US dollars?
PS: Zoë, I have to do the survey later from my home computer where it is easier to write. Sorry, had intended to do it earlier.
Just to add quickly– My friends and family and I give books for Christmas. My family also gives things, other than books, bought in bookstores. Web page wish lists are a valuable tool in this effort. I keep one up on Amazon, but the items are not all available on Amazon. One of my friends looks at it, then walks to the corner book shop to buy or order one or more of the books for my gift. Lovely.
Hi Sarah
I’m sure we have spoken about Overdrive, now you mention it. I really need to investigate that further – another thing to add to the giant 2012 To Do list …
Some of those publications are familiar, others not so. Again, I shall check them out. Thank you for that.
I just double-checked my figures and at the current exchange rate it actually works out at $9.45 a gallon – and yes, that is in USD. They fool you at the pump over here by pricing fuel per litre and there are 4.55 litres to the UK gallon. It makes shopping on line much more attractive.
I’m a sucker for movie trailers, too. I love it when they put them on the start of DVDs – makes it much more like going to the movies except you don’t have somebody rustling sweetie wrappers in the row behind you and talking through the quiet bits 🙂
Hi Reine – any time 🙂
And that’s a great idea for keeping your present wish-list handy.
Hi Zoë,
I'm lucky that our library system is pretty good re suggestions for purchase – though I heard somewhere they cut back after the World Cup cost overruns (sigh)… Auckland Libraries use Overdrive as well, and they have great e-newsletters of new books in different genres, or an RSS feed is available of all new books (I haven't gone THAT far). Things have changed a lot with the amalgamation – lots more books available and free requests.
I intend to ask for e-books as pressies, if I don't buy them myself, my preference is still for a real book.
I really feel for the people of Christchurch, esp right before Xmas, grateful to live on the other island (though we're on a fault line as well)… long may the volcanoes stay dormant too.
Great poll!
Okay so
1. – b Local indie store. I work in one, so browsing is an occupational hazard!
2. – a – I read in print, because although I got an ipad for Christmas, I like to read at the beach, or in the bath and I'm worried I'd ruin an electronic book or electrocute myself in the process.
3. a – bookstore display. Again work comes in to play here. I often get given advance reading copies by sales reps. So that also influences my reading.
4. None of the above. Honestly, sometimes it's either a clever title, subject matter – or the cover. I'm easily influenced by beautiful covers.
5. Surprisingly big. When I first started reading crime 2 years ago, it started because I liked the cover and premise of Tess Gerritsen's "Body Double" I then read more of her books, found her website and from there, was led here to Murderati. Since reading everyone's different posts here I've been inspired to try new authors, I've found that if I enjoy an authors blog, I'll definitely go out and try one of their books.
6. I don't use FaceBook or Twitter!
7. I do read reviews – but only if I'm really unsure about the book – and usually only when I'm trying to decide whether to buy a biography!
8. I don't buy books online, but I do read blurbs of books on sites such as Fantasic Fiction.
9. Price? Depends. If I know I like the authors work I'm happy to buy a hardcover or trade paperback. However if it's an author I've never tried I prefer to either get a book from the library or buy a standard paperback.
10. I was given "Between" by Jessica Warman and I gave "Women's Stuff" – Kaz Cooke, "The History of the World According to FaceBook", "Bro on the Go" – Barney Stinson.
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and have a very happy New Year!!
Zoë,
You amuse me greatly. Thanks for the laugh re: the new book. I'm just grumpy enough to want to take the print version to a cafe and hold it up so EVERYONE can see the cover . . .
Hi Karen
Oh don’t – we have that colossal money-pit that is the Olympic Games in the UK next year. Look what hosting it did to the Greek economy? Argh.
Great that you can request books for free at your library. The charges for ordering books at our little local library vary depending on if there is a copy of that particular title in the local or county stock. And then you have to wait for the slowest reader to finish with it, of course 🙂
Glad you’re OK as far as the earthquakes went. I’m told the best place to take shelter if an earthquake hits is NEXT TO a large object like a car, bed or sofa, so if anything collapses onto you, the object creates a survival space alongside it.
Mine of useless information, me …
Hi Laura
I worried about using an e-reader in the bath or at the beach, and Val McDermid emailed me to tell me her solution, which was to put the reader into a Ziploc sandwich bag to make it water- and sand-proof. Still wouldn’t like to accidentally fall asleep reading it in the bath, though.
I’m intrigued by titles and cover art, I confess, and have picked up and subsequently bought books based on this. But, having picked up the book, the premise has to intrigue me, and the writer’s voice has to really grab me.
I had a lurgy-filled Christmas, sadly, as I went down with bronchitis but I think I’m on the mend now. Happy New Year to you, also!
Hi Pari
“You amuse me greatly.”
Thank you. LOL on the reading your new book in the café – one way to ensure you get a table to yourself 🙂
What a great poll!
I check out the chain store weekly to see what the new books are and if any of my favorite authors (like Zoe) have a new book out. I only buy at the chain if I have a coupon for a percentage off. I browse using the page 69 test and looking in the books that look interesting. I also like to read the sample chapters that Amazon has available. If it looks interesting and costs less than $9.99, I buy it on Kindle. If it costs more, I would rather own it in hardcover. If I am looking for a book that has to be special ordered, I get it from the local independent mystery bookstore.
I don't use the social media, although I did make a Facebook friend of Joseph Finder because he was giving away a free book. I don't look for interviews on YouTube. I read magazine book reviews, particularly Marilyn Stasio's crime column in The New York Time Book Review. But when I want to try a new author, I read Deadly Pleasures, the mystery book review. I have found so many new authors there.
To give you an example of my shopping, I had heard that Peter James was a good author. I picked up his latest book at the chain store. I loved the book. The store did not have any of his other books in stock. The only book on Kindle was the first book in the series. So I am preparing for a trip to the independent mystery bookstore to buy the other books.
Jeanne in MN
1) I browse on-line and at our local indie, McNally Robinson, but I buy all my print books at the store.
2) Right now it's running about half and half between digital and print. I've got a huge backlog of both, so I just pick what interests me. When I do research tho, it's almost all print, as I find my Kindle isn't very user-friendly for finding a specific fact or page.
3)I hear about new books from places like Murderati and friends.
4)I buy new to me authors mostly on recommendations of people I know or whose writing I like. For instance, I just bought an e-book from Dani Amore that J.D. recommended on Facebook. The $.99 price helped too, which addresses one of your other questions.
5) Social media plays a minor role in my buying decisions. The book still has to be one that appeals to me.
6)I'm extremely put off by the constant plugging of books.
7) I follow reviews in major papers(what few are left) and places like Mystery Scene, but Amazon reviews don't make much difference to me. There are too many people that give 5 stars to anything by a favorite author even if it's garbage. I also follow "Must Read Mysteries" on Facebook and they've constantly got titles going by. They're rarely to my taste, but every once in a while they have a diamond, like the other day when they had Reed Farrell Coleman's latest novel for free. I don't understand the concept of why they do this, but I "bought" it. (I saw Coleman at a panel at Bouchercon and remembered enjoying how he ran it.)
8) I read the free samples and almost always don't buy the book. This is mostly with unknown $.99 cent writers.
9) Mostly I ignore price. When I want a favorite writer I buy the hardcover. For new to me writers I'm discovering that a lot of writers are putting e-collections of short stories up for $2.99 and it's a great way to sample the characters and get a wider view of a character you already follow.(like Charlie Fox in "Fox Five" or Gar's Aaron Gunner in "Lyrics for the Blues.")
10) Usually I get and give books at Christmas, but this year I decided to stretch my imagination a bit and try something different. Still, I got a Captain Canuck graphic novel which took me back to my teen years in the 70's.
Thanks, Jeanne
I’ve heard about the page 69 (and pg99) tests, but have never used it to see if I think I’ll like or buy a book. I prefer to read the opening sections to get a feel for how the writer drops me into the story rather than a section further on.
Sounds like you have a great system for your book buying, though. I’m sure Peter James will be delighted to hear he’s found a new fan!
Hi Larry
I’m beginning to think there are as many different methods of book buying as there are methods of book writing …
I, too, tend to like paper for research. I’ve just been doing some re-hashing on the current WIP and found I needed to print out sections in order to work on them. I just can’t do it on screen, even though I have a widescreen monitor that allows me to look at two full-size typescript pages at once.
Putting FOX FIVE together was an experiment – but on that I thoroughly enjoyed doing – and was intended for exactly the purpose you describe, so I’m very pleased it worked out for you 🙂
Thank you to everyone who’s taken the trouble to answer my questions here. I’ll be collating the results of this and trying to come to some conclusions. It’s been a fascinating experience to read all your comments!
1. Where do you do most of your book browsing these days?
I do most of my browsing on line, but I buy my books in indie bookshops when I can get to them. Not all are accessible. The one I love most, in Marblehead, is not wheelchair accessible. The one near me in Tucson involves a multiple-hour investment due to scheduling paratransit. So . . . I often must go to the local big chain bookstore, which is actually very pleasant, considering.
2. How much of your reading is
a) in print?
I do read print, but it is very slow going. digital reading is slow, too, but much faster than hard copy.
b) in digital format?
Most of my reading is digital.
3. Where do you hear about most of your new books?
Library websites; Bookstore websites; Authors' websites; Authors' blogs; Lesa Holstein's blog; NPR; BBC; Friends
a) bookstore display?
I do love bookstore displays, because i discover books there that I perhaps hadn't noticed online.
b) bookstore recommendation?
No, I recall only once getting a book recommendation from a shopkeeper that I followed up on. That was 1963. Most of the help I receive in bookstores has more to do with finding and ordering, and probably most annoying to them — the who-wrote-that kind of question. Well, maybe it isn't annoying, because they always seem to know. Then I can find it, and I buy it. That's pretty good. 😉
c) discussion group? (If so, where/what kind?)
No, no discussion groups. I’d like to, but they’re usually in people’s homes and other wheelchair-inaccessible places.
4. What makes you decide to try a book by a new (to you) author?
a) word of mouth?
Sometimes.
b) advertising?
Sometimes.
c) personal appearance by the author at a store or convention?
Sometimes.
d) on-line buzz or reviews?
Reviews will do it for me if they either have info regarding the book or comments pertaining to info I already have that verify the book is my kind of book. The review could even be bad. I often buy books that have received less than good reviews, because sometimes I’m looking for just what the reviewer doesn’t like.
e) book trailer?
Yes. I adore book trailers. Alex’s trailer of THE HARROWING is the perfect example of what I like in a book trailer: It represents the feeling of the book with enough of the story to let me know I will like it. When I first saw it I might not have read anything by Alex, so I wouldn’t really know for absolutely positively sure, but I would believe that I would, enough to plunk down the money. I’m reading it now, and it is what I thought it would be, from seeing the trailer. I’ll just give this one example, because it is fresh in my mind, but there are a bunch of others I would testify to.
5. How big a role does social media play? Have you ever decided to try an author because you’ve seen them posting on line and been intrigued or amused by what they have to say?
Yes, many times now— many, many times.
Equally:
6. If you’re on Twitter or Facebook or any of the other social networking sites, does it put you off if an author constantly plugs their own work or does the repetition actually make you decide to give them a try?
I am turned off by constant plugging when the site is presumed to have a different purpose. But– if it’s a site I go to for information on what an author is doing, then I expect it. Tell me all about what’s coming out; how many starred reviews you have; nominations. I also like to see these things on the other sites – differently purposed sites, like blogs — but more on the margin or in a separate section, a different page, perhaps. Then again . . . if you’ve just won the big one, by all means blog about the experience anywhere, because that would be interesting.
7. How influenced are you by reviews? Not just reviews from respected blog sites or publications, but reader reviews on Amazon. Does the total number of times a book has been reviewed, or the number of five-star reviews influence your choice at all? Do you ever read the reviews?
As I said above in 4. d): Reviews will do it for me if they either have info regarding the book or comments pertaining to info I already have that verify the book is my kind of book. The review could even be bad. I often buy books that have received less than good reviews, because sometimes I’m looking for just what the reviewer doesn’t like.
I always read reader reviews. I can’t imagine not reading them. Readers can be nasty, true enough, and they may not get what the review is for (like the poor confused person who rates the delivery service or the Kindle they read your book on), but you can ignore those. Many reader-reviewers do a good enough job of getting the information out. Embrace us. We are not going away.
8. If you’re buying a book on line, do you use the facility to read a free sample before you buy? And has this ever put you off the book?
I always read the free sample before I buy. I have never been disappointed, and I have yet to refrain from buying a book because I didn’t like the sample. I know this may seem hard to believe, and maybe I’ve just been lucky, but I have been mildly curious about books and looked for a sample that I read and craved the book. Had to have it. Bought it. A whole bunch of times. Ever since I discovered them on Google Reader and Amazon.
9. How important is price, whether for an e-book or a print version?
It’s only important when I can’t afford it. But I’ve put out a bundle for books like THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK: THE CRITICAL EDITION on occasion. It’s unlikely, not impossible, that I would put out that price for very many books.
And finally:
10. Did you give or receive a book this Christmas? If so, what was it? And any suggestions for how you nicely wrap and gift an e-book?
I gave a set of Louise Penny’s books to a friend who loves her. I gave two Harry Potter collections– one to a friend and one to a library. I gave Zoë’s first three to a friend who loves her. I gave money to my school library for book purchases. I gave money to my school’s book scholarship fund for students. I gave Kathryn Howell’s books to my son who loves her. That last was difficult, because the first was unavailable except used from someone in the UK. I am visiting my daughter in California next week to give her, her Christmas present, one of Alex’s, THE PRICE, to read while she’s dialyzing— call us both nuts, because she will love it. I also sent her a download link for Pari’s three (the link I put “nicely wrapped” in an electronic greeting card), which I know she will adore. I gave another son one of Gar’s and one of Corbett’s and Stephen’s first. Not all our children can read, or there would be more books. I gave Cornelia’s first to a friend and Brunonia Barry’s two to a friend back home on the North Shore near Salem. I was surprised she hadn’t read them yet, but there you go. Ah. Almost forgot. A dear friend sent me books for Christmas: A GUIDE TO MASSACHUSETTS LOCAL HISTORY: BEING A BIBLIOGRAPHIC INDEX TO THE LITERATURE OF THE TOWNS, CITIES AND COUNTIES OF THE STATE, INCLUDING BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, ARTICLES IN PERIODICALS AND COLLECTED WORKS, BOOKS IN PREPARATION, HISTORICAL MANUSCRIPTS, Ne by Charles Allcott Flagg; THE MAMMY, THE CHISELLERS, and THE GRANNY– all by Brendan O’Carroll; And Dean Koonz’s dog sent Kendall a book: A BIG LITTLE LIFE. [I’m sure I’ve left some out. I start sending in October, because so many good thrillers and New England mysteries come out then.]
xo, You. Sorry this took so long!
Hi Reine
Wow, what a comprehensive answer – thank you for that. And also for giving your friend some of my books. It sounds like you have been single-handedly keeping the book world going this Holiday season.
And I love the idea that Dean Koonz’s dog sent Kendall a book – how cool is that?
Hi Zoë,
Thanks, love. I'll probably never be able to afford a wheelchair accessible van, even if i never buy another book. And what kind of life would that be, anyway? But I'm guessing I'll always be able to buy a book, whatever form it might come in. As I said, I spread my holiday gift buying out, starting Sept/Oct.
Dean Koontz is very sweet. His dearly departed dog, Trixie, manages to send books from Heaven.
xo
One of those e-books, is a promise, for when I can find THE SOCORRO BLAST for kindle. It must be out there, somewhere . . . right Pari? I do screw up a lot of purchases online, usually after seizure when my brain refuses to make good sense – on the world's terms, that is. I keep hacking away it , though, and it has usually paid off. xo
PS: Captcha is waaaay better now!
I forgot myself. I am buying Phillipa's latest (love the cover art) with a certificate I got as a present. I may wait till I can get it in e-format, if it isn't available yet. It's really very difficult to read an ordinary book if it doesn't fit right into my book stand. And then that only works well with the middle sections of hard bound books! I have others to choose, as well, but I'm waiting for some new releases and wanting to read some series from the start — often a problem with availability — especially with some books from overseas. Outstanding in my mind is one of Katherine Howell's that is available as a download, just not in the US.
Hi Reine
Happy New Year to you! I confess I'm finding reading a digital copy a lot easier in bed than a book – particularly a hardcover or even a trade pb. I think I need to start stretching out my Christmas spending more, too 🙂
Hah! Happy New Year to you and Andy, Zoë!
Don't tell anyone I said this, but in bed the lighter Nook or Kindle are very nice. I set my iPad up on a stand when I read, and just now synced all my books with the iPhone that is rapidly becoming my favorite device in bed . . . sort of.
1) a) 70% b) 10% c) 10% d) 10%
2) a) 20% b) 60%
3) I usually do not "hear" about books. I am always searching for the publishing dates for authors I read regularly. I pick up new authors when I happen upon a recommendation by an author I like or while perusing books at stores or in on-line lists (i.e., Amazon 100 favorite lists).
4) On-line I look at the reviews at Amazon and B&N. In bookstores I read the backs, once the cover catches my eye, or, as some Indies do, they have reviews by the books. I also check-out the book sections of newspapers and the publishing news at mystery sites.
5) I can always be influenced by comments I happen upon anywhere, but, I do not buy many books this way Comments by authors I like about other authors will often work with me.
6) Constant plugging annoys me. My dad is constantly plugging his book which bothers me a lot. However, I understand that not all plugs are seen by everybody, so an author probably should keep plugging away.
7) I am very influenced by reviews unless the subject is one that is dear to my heart. Then the reviews are not all that important. I do not want to totally waste my money so, except for my store purchases (based on the cover and the blurb on the back) I usually buy books by authers I've never read before based on reviews (and, as I said above, author recommendations).
8) Yes and yes.
9) Price is important. My favorite authors I buy at higher prices, if necessary. However, using your books to describe my frequent buying process: Based on Lee Child's recommendation, I bought a bunch of your books before reading them because they were inexpensive. Now that I love your stuff, I'll pay any price to get your books and short stories. I'll buy them as ebooks but, if a future book should not go to a digital format, I will buy your books in whatever form they are in as soon as they are published. But, without a recommendation, I might have initially bought one, or, maybe even, I might not have bought any if they were higher priced like a Patterson or Grisham book.
10) We gave 7 or 8 books for Christmas – hardcovers and one large paperback – and I gave my wife 2 e-books (Patterson and Sandford). I dated the ebooks to be gifted on Christmas morning and I told her aboout them with a note inside a Christmas card.
If I'm too late, sorry. It's only 8 days until your "Fourth" and "Fifth" books are scheduled to be Kindle-booked in the US. I can't wait! Happy New YEar!!
Larry Hellyer
Hi Larry
Wow, thank you for all that info, and I'm delighted that you gave my books a try. Thank you for all the info. Again, I'll be digesting this and trying to put my thoughts into some kind of order for a later update.
Happy New Year to you, also!
Hi –
Thanks for your (as always) kind response. I have 2 clarifications:
Question 2 should be: a) 20% b) 80%. I originally mis-stated 'b.'
Question 10: I did not indicate the books we gave as Christmas presents. In addition to the 2 books I gave my wife, we gave one of my sisters a book about the Dick Van Dyke show. We gave my brother-in-law a book he requested on brain studies. We gave one of my brothers a first edition Arthur Conan Doyle book, "The White Company." My dad – a book on the "Maverick" tv series. My other sister – a couple of Agatha Christie mysteries. And my other brother – a War of 1812 history he asked for.
May all of your books be made into movies!
A chubby, old American fan,
Larry
Thanks again, Larry. Your book buying sounds like an eclectic mix!