I get a lot of ideas of which books to read from the reading posts here a the KT. I will usually read about the book at Amazon.com and see what the reader reviews are there and then decide if I want to read it.

You may be able to see yourself in a library after you see the prices on some of these books!! I hate buying a book and then finding that I don't like it. That's a bummer. A library can be just like a book store to you--browse and pick up what you think you might like,and if you don't like it, you haven't spent anything for it.

I like to read the best sellers. There are some authors I read that I'll read everything they've written. Recommendations usually will serve you well, except for romances. I don't read romances because they all end the same way--happily ever after. I don't read science fiction or any of those books w/ vampires. The folks that post here have some good recommendations; read those posts and go from there.

Thanks Mary Ann and Vannie.

I hear you about the cost of books. I'm so bad about returning things, I'd probably go to jail for library fines. Wish I was more like Summer who will take things back over and over...I just hate shopping..especially the returning part. :)

I know what you mean. I was always a voracious reader, and then, when DH died, I couldn't concentrate on reading a book...I missed reading. Then, a few months ago, I got it back!

I read authors. What I did was go to the amazon online and look up what my favorite authors have had published in the past 6-7 years.

When I'm looking for a book to read, I go by genre. I like mysteries, biographies, stories about people. And a book has to be at least 300 pages because I read so fast.

I'm a murder/mystery fan but also like a good sloppy Danielle Steel Romance...it just depends on what you like to read...once I find an author I like, I tend to read everything they write...Good Luck...when you have books...you're never lonely!!

Thanks Monica. I'll be checking out amazon online..seems like a common place to go. And good for you about enjoying reading again. :)

Liz, I remember liking the couple of Danielle Steel books I've read..mysteries appeal to me as well. I'm looking forward to enjoying the company of books once more.

Now, if my memory would just kick in about authors. Oh, I just remembered how years ago I enjoyed a book by Anne Taylor..or is that the right name? I think the book was 'The Ladder'.

I like to check Oprah's book club, for books.

Here is a link that might be useful: Oprah's book club

Don't know if I've mentioned here or not but I'm the country librarian. I use amazon for a reference when purchasing books. Anything new is listed there as well as a release date. If your favorite author has a new book coming out Amazon will tell you as well as hundreds of other authors (in my case, anyway) you've never heard of.

Check our your town/city library Lana.
In my county we can download, from the state library, audio books to your PC, mp3 player or Ipod. You can also order any title you want through the state for the price of shipping it back.

Mentally put my face on every librarian you encounter and go visit! Every library has an after hours book recepticle so returning it isn't such a hassle. Or call and extend the deadline.

I'm learning to love books again too.

Lori

I've pretty much read by authors. I know I almost always enjoy all the authors books if I've read one and liked it.
Sue Grafton is my latest favorite author. Check out Kinsey Millhone series.
Fern Michaels
Nora Roberts
LaVerle Spencer
Danielle Steel
Susan Elizabeth Phillips (thanks 'Mingo)
My list just goes on and on and thats all I can think of off the top of my head!
Often I've typed in an authors name and do a search online and come up with all the books they've written, lots of them will even have a page or two for you to read online for preview.

I've been reading a lot of biographies lately.
The latest was about Ethel Kennedy.

I highly recommend Dewey the Library Cat.
Highly
Recommend
It's a true story about a kitten dumped in the night book drop in Iowa library and the library adopts him. He is named Dewey after the Dewey Decimal System is was a quite a character. He touched many lives.

I've been into the old westerns too.
I re-read Lonesome Dove *sigh*
and re-discovered Elmer Kelton.
He is such a hoot!

The Last Ride by Tom Eisner is a must if you like historical western fiction. The movie 'the missing' with Tommy Lee Jones is patterned very loosely after this book. As always the book is better than the movie and those who made the movie skipped over some great dynamics!

Tony Hillerman recently passed away and people have been rereading his books and I can't keep anything new by Nora Roberts or Laveryl Spencer on the shelves.

Check out the biography section at your library.
I found a lot of very interesting books to read in my library (we never throw those away....). There are a couple on shelves by Bob Hope I want to read too.

Lori

I like mysteries

James Patterson
Faye Kellerman
Jonathan Kellerman
John Grisham

and history.

If you like historical fiction, try the Jalna Series by Mazo De La Roche ...covers about 100 years of a family.

There are over a dozen in the series, and you really have to read them in order.

I like to read books by many authors, but seldom buy a new book. I get all my books from garage sales and sometimes they are just given to me. I love to read, but have a hard time finding the time! Sometimes swap books with my daughter.

The link below gives the background on the Jalna series and the author.

I doubt anyone under 50 has ever heard of them :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Jalna background

Years ago, I remember going to our local Hastings store to check out Oprah's reading list and didn't think of it again til now. Thanks Frostedc!

Lori, I can just see you now behind the library counter. :)
Thank you, I appreciate your recommendations, especially about Dewey the Library Cat..you know my heart.

And thanks Nodakgal..you've listed some authors I do remember from years past. Would I enjoy just any book of a series, or is it like watching 'Lost' on tv?..better have seen every show to grasp the next episode of that series.

Amazon..here I come! :)

Lori, you'd hawe a hard time finding anything new by LaVeryle Spencer as she retired from writing in 1997. I just finished rereading one of hers the other day. I think what is coming out now are paperbacks of previous books. She was such a good author.

I also am a big fan of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and she has a new one just released and I will be getting it from my bookclub next month.

I am so very weird when it comes to reading. I go to the library every three weeks. I start on one shelf and I read what ever catches my eye. If I like the author I will look for others when I go back. I do end up re-reading some things but not very often. I have a fantastic library and have not purchased a book in a long time.

Trish

There is a $5.00 Christian Book Store near me with all new books. So I have a hay day picking and choosing fiction books and my husband picks non-fiction books. At only $5.00 a book I then pass them along unless it is one of my very very favorite authors and it is one of a series I can't part with, I will then keep it. We are so fortunate to have this book store near us!!

I simply MUST stop buying new books! Only paperbacks, but at the prices charged today it is an expensive habit. Though I enjoy reading them, few are worth re-reading..and they ultimately get donated to the local library.

I like Nora Roberts writing as JD Robb, John Sandford, James Patterson (mostly), the author who writes about a paraplegic detective (the name escapes me right now), loved Tony Killerman's books, read old Agatha Christie mysteries, own everything Dick Francis ever wrote, Enjoy most Iris Johanssen books, etc., etc. If I'm not restrained, or have something I MUST do, I'll go through a book a day. Unfortunately, the most recent books our local library have are the ones I've donated.

I simply have to have something to read! Maybe that's why I spend so much time here.

I can't afford to spend money on books anymore but my SIL Shelley passes the books she reads on to me. We like the same authors.

I live 3 blocks from the neighbourhood library but do you think I utilize it like I should? No.

I love to read in bed but I don't have the adequate lighting to do so anymore.

Anne

Lori:

If you liked Last Ride, you might also like St. Agnes' Stand by Tom Eidson. It's my favorite of the three he has written.

I loved Lonesome Dove and will re-read it some day, too.

toby

Debbie Macomber has a great bunch of books too Granlan.

As for series. I have bought books that are say second in the series (like the Fern Michaels Sisterhood series) I looked all over high and low for the very first one and I can't find it! Gosh it makes me mad.

I mean tobygirl....

sorry!

Lori

Lana, I see you mentioned Anne Tyler, and I think you would like any of hers....I just read Patchwork Planet and liked it a lot. I'm also reading a John Grisholm, and have a couple more to read, as I do enjoy his writing. You might enjoy his "Painted House" which is different from his usual writing, but it is one of my favorite books. I also am enjoying the series of "The Ladies #1 Detective Club", by Alexander McCall Smith, set in Botswana. Very readable. He has the latest one due out in March, so I will have to get that one.

if i purchase any books, it's usually something from a thrift store. i gave up buying books (except cookbooks) quite some time ago - probably when i gave up drycleaning.

i have the library around the corner and am a monday regular. either i choose on a recommendation; what the librarian might suggest; it's the book club reading; i pick a book up based on its cover, or it's an author i know or want to know.

www.bookbrowse.com is another great site you might want to look at - lots of ideas, lots of reviews.

right now i'm reading Why Mermaids Sing, a sebastian st. cyr mystery by c.s. harris. never heard of the author and the title was catchy. a multiple murder mystery among the affluent, resulting from a mutineed ship, in 1811 london. pretty good so far. i'd certainly read the flaps on the other two in the series and consider checking them out.

welcome back to the world of reading/books.

maryanne

I belong to a book club and a book exchange group...You might like the idea of a book exchange. We have 12 members...each one buys a current hardback book, We have a rotation schedule that is posted in each book...it includes the book title, author and name, address and phone# of the person the book belongs to For instance, I receive the book from Jane on March 1...I have a month to read it and then pass it on on April 1 to Sue, etc. At the end of the year you have read 12 current books but only had to buy one. There's no discussions or meetings because everyone is reading a different book. The nice thing is you read books you might not have chosen on your own and if you don't have time or you're not interested in any of the books, you just wait until it's time to pass it on and read the next one. We meet once a year to discuss what books we might like to read for the coming year. You don't necessarily have to have 12 people. You could do it for six months, eight months or whatever.

I read so much, my list of books to read comes from everywhere. I have friends who read a lot, my mother reads a lot, we all make suggestions to each other. I joined a site called goodreads.com, where I can keep track of what I read, rate and review the books. I can also see reviews of other members, and the site emails me with updates of what my friends are reading.

My favorite way to find new titles and/or authors is to browse a bookstore website. I'll go to barnesandnoble.com, start by searching for a book I've read and liked. On that page there is always a "People who bought this also bought..." with other titles, often by the same author, or in the same genre or on the same subject. So I'll click on those, read the summary and the reviews of critics and other readers. That will lead to more "People who... also bought..." I could do that for hours, or days, or weeks. ;o) I just keep a list of books that sound like something to look for at the library or paperbackswap.

My county library has a "new arrivals" shelf, usually holds 20-30 books, always an extremely mixed bag! I just pick up whatever book appeals based on title, picture, subject, book-size, whatever ... fact, fiction, adult, young-adult, how-to, political, travel, mystery; oh and some in Large Print too which is increasingly nice :-) Because it's a public library and costs me nothing to take a few home, I "test drive" a lot of books. I have a certain place in my house where the stack of library books go, so they don't get lost and it's easy to remember to take them back when I'm done.

Don't be afraid to walk through the Non-Fiction section of your library, there will be lots of interesting things there too. Costs nothing to see if you really like Shakespeare or want to read about a science topic, etc. Plus it'll have cookbooks, gardening books, poetry etc in addition to all the "intellectual" stuff, lol. I love autobiographies, especially of common people (non-celebrities, that is) who write just to share what their world was like growing up.

The second way I find/choose books is I keep a Word document titled "Books to look for" on my computer ... and anytime I'm on-line, I cut & paste interesting recommendations into my document. Then every so often, I review the list, jot down a few titles/authors to look for.

Mysteries - my library is big on mysteries, or is it the entire publishing world now-a-days? Some are light-hearted (talking animals, etc), others are more serious, and I guess there are grim/gorey/scary selections too although that doesn't appeal to me! Whatever hobby or passtime you're into, there will be mystery series using that as a theme. Common themed mysteries are cooking, dogs, cats, gardening, antiques, junk-collecting, various periods of history, etc. I think you could google "mystery" plus any subject you wanted, and come up with a list.

I hope you find something you like :-)

Oh, by all means go to the library! Think of it as a big candy store for the mind. Librarians are eager to listen to your preferences and recommend books.
Take a look at authoress Elizabeth Peters. Her series of Amelia Peabody mystery books are funny and informative. Anne Perry has good books, although her angst gets a little tiresome sometimes. Kathryn Hepburn's autobiography "ME" is interesting, although your opinion of this consumate actress as a person will be lowered.
There are few pleasures in life that top going to the library for a good browse, then going home and curling up for a good read.

Wow, just checking this post again and find so many helpful suggestions and book ideas. You all are the best to take the time to reply.

About John Grisham, my niece bought 'A Painted House' for me when I was in the hospital. When she handed it to me, she said you won't want it to end and I didn't..one of the few books I'd like to read again. For some reason, I don't reread books like I'll watch a favorite movie many times.

As soon as our ice melts, you all have me wanting to go to the library..thought I'd never say that again! :)

Stay warm and happy reading everyone!