Book Decisions

Hi Jessie,

I buy books a lot from a poems I read out in the wild (i.e. blogs, lit journals, word of mouth, and readings). I don’t think I’ve ever bought a book based on a review. Surprisingly though, I think, there are a bunch of books I’ve bought just from browsing used bookstores and seeing a name I recognize. In very rare instances I’ll see a book cover so awesome that I have to buy the book.

My decisions are based on the cover artwork.

Just kidding! I really just peruse the (cyber)aisles, picking up and reading books as I go. Usually, I randomly pick a page and do some reading. If I’m already interested, then I buy it. Sometimes, I read reviews from journals, blogs, or websites that make me want to read the book. However, I never rely on the reviews that are published on the books jackets themselves.

I make an effort to buy books written by people who are my friends on some level even if I don’t particularly care for their work. I buy quite a few books that I find when reading Ron Silliman’s blog and the links he posts on a regular basis. I’ve bought quite a few books, many of them really good, by people who I’ve met on Facebook. (Laura Carter and Joseph Massey come immediately to mind here.)

I, also, do what I’d call quite a bit of catching up. In late 2008/early 2009, I got hung up on The Objectivists and bought what books I could find at a reasonable price by Niedecker, Oppen, Reznikoff, and Rakosi. (I already had the Zukofsky books that were reasonably priced and accessible.)

I don’t think reviews mean much these days particularly in the small press. Though, I do buy books based upon criticism. (The kind I find that is similar to that at JACKET Magazine online.)

When I was ten I got my first library card. I went to the middle reader section and because I was overwhelmed with choice, I closed my eyes and pointed. I took the book my finger landed on and it was always interesting and usually a perfect reader/writer fit. I still do it that way in Chapters or the used book store. I also buy books by writers like yourself Ms. Jessie, because when you do make it, I will have a signed copy Yes, it’s true, I’m a mercenary opportunist that way.

For poetry books I have to have read a few reviews. I don’t actively seek poetry books at my local store but if I see one mentioned in a blog I frequent (say this one for example) I usually persue it but I won’t buy it till I’m sure it’s something I’ll enjoy.

For non-fiction I still have to see something about it online but I’m a little less picky. If it even remotely catches my interest from the explanation alone I’m hooked. It takes very little- depending on what it’s about.

For fiction it’s a more elusive process. I walk into the bookstore, head for the genre I’m in the mood for and stand before the shelves like a child at a temple waiting for the gods to speak and speak they do- eventually my eyes catch a shiny cover or some intricate artwork and it’s in my hands before I know. I’m not entirely vain though, the covers catch me but I’m still picky. I read the backs and the first pages and often move on (coming back twice or thrice is a sign I’ll probably buy it in the near future). I also like to work my way through the more obscure books- anything i haven’t heard of or it looks like no one’s given it a good read. Like I said, an elusive process.

Mwaha, I just signed up on GoodReads. The navigation has already killed me.