Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Start by making a list. This may sound unnecessary, but it is actually difficult to keep up with a long list of books in your head. You can keep a notebook with you while performing your daily routines, jotting down books as they come to you. You could also just make a Notepad list on your laptop computer. When writing (or typing) down what book you want to read, make sure to write out why you were attracted to the book in the first place.
Keep up with the best seller lists that are published in national newspapers such as the "Wall Street Journal" or "New York Times." These publications will give you reviews of books, which will help you decide whether you want to read them or not. Eventually, you will probably start to trust one best seller list over another. This is good, because you will know which bestseller list to check before buying a new book.
Check out the awards that some books are given. Literary groups give out awards to books that they feel are currently the best on the market. These awards include the Nobel Prize, the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize (see Resources below). If a book receives one of these awards, it means that the experts think they are great, so it couldn't hurt to try them out. Once again, you might learn which group to trust by discovering which books you like.
Enroll in a book club. This is an excellent way to find books you may enjoy. When you find a book club that reads books that you like, you can learn of other books you may like by talking to the members. This is also a great way to meet people who have similar literary tastes, and will most likely ensure that you never run out of good books to read.
Take a look into classic books if you don't find too many modern books that peak your interest. These books have been around for generations for a reason: generations of people have loved them. You are never just stuck in one time period of literary creativity. Keep looking for books and stories until you find something that tickles your fancy.
Make a portfolio. This can once again be on your computer or in a notebook. When you find an author that you particularly like, find out what other books the author has written, and keep a list of them. Also, if there is a bibliography in the back of the book, look at the books the author cited. This will give you a list of books that you may potentially find enjoyable. You usually don't go wrong when you already know you like a specific type of book.
Get started on your reading list. You can swing by your local library and find many of the books that are on your list. If your library doesn't have a book for some reason, or you just want your own copy, you can check out sites like eBay or Amazon. Amazon has user reviews which may give you a better idea as to whether you want to read the book or not. Both of these sites have decent prices as well, so you may just end up owning one of your future favorite books for a low price.