My criteria aren’t as complex. I usually read the summary or the first sentences and if there is an idea that sounds new to me I will read the book. If it annoys me in the first 100 pages I give up.

Strangely I don’t choose based on any set criteria and my choices often change with my mood. However, I have a threshold that the book must cross to be kept, so that at some point I will reread it knowing what mood im in and looking for that style, otherwise I donate it.

I check cover and blurb, maybe see if there are other books by the author, and give it a chance.

1000 reviews? Nah. I like to read new authors with fresh ideas.

My decision is primarily based on if the concept of the book appeals to me, and general reviews, but reviews don’t make or break the decision. If a book is for YA but sounds like an interesting concept, then I’ll go for it!

You have very strict and specific criteria! I feel like there’s just not that much good writing out there, and that I really have to search for it. Of course by “good” I mean in the subjective sense, good to me. There are very well-received books that I didn’t enjoy at all, and some pretty awful light reading that I can’t stop thinking about, Reviews and ratings really mean very little to me, so I mostly ignore them. That’s especially true on Goodreads and BookWyrm where people seem to want to tell you that the book they liked wasn’t THAT great.

I just read the blurb, and if it sounds interesting I’ll check it out from the library. It’s almost always available as an ebook or an audiobook, and even if I have to place a hold I can read a sample. I usually know within the first few pages if I like the style, and if I’m willing to continue. I drop many, many book, and I’m not worried about missing out on anything.

If one of my friends recommends a book I usually give it a shot, but I’m not afraid to drop those either. There are a couple of people whose recs always work out (thank you Cristina!), and those I just jump into right away, but that’s only literally two people. Most of my friends don’t really read in order to discuss what they’re reading, and some don’t even read at all 🤷🏻‍♂️

Do I crave to read it today? If that happens every day the book is good. If it feels like a chore the book is trash.

After a couple hours of reading, do I still care?

I know I may miss some gems this way, but my reading list is longer than my available time.

I just check out the tv tropes page and if I like it I read the book.

Honestly I just read the biggest classics and hits. Usually they’re classics for a reason, and even if it’s not to my liking, at least I learn something new and can cross it off the bucket list.

Now that I think about it, scifi is somewhat monocultural - is that a word? - this way. The consensus what’s good and what’s not, and why, seems to be higher than in real world fiction.

I do listen to more audioshows than books and it’s kinda the same. If something becomes very popular, it’s likely to be better than average. Although I’ve found some sleeper hits too, and nothing really bad. Producing an audio show is probably harder than writing a book.

Needs to be at least a 3 book series, but preferably 5+.

I like the sound of it from the blurb.

It’s on Smashwords.

You really only ever know that after the fact, right?

Anyway - mainly from recommendations from either people I know personally, or online people that I know I often share taste with.

One reason I love libraries is that I can ask random strangers for suggestions.

Now there’s a way to make sure you never encounter anything outside of your current comfort zone.

I’m a newbie when it comes to reading novels. But I realized that a lot of movies or series I’ve seen are based on books. It’s far easier to get through a book if you already have visual references for the characters and scenes. It’s also nice to go back and experience the story from a diffrent perspective. It’s like reading with training wheels.

The cover