Short and sweet today 🙂
Most of us don’t have scads of money to splash out on book and need to be wise when it comes to spending our dollars on books. I’d love to know what factors help you decide which books to spend your hard earned cash on!
Do tell…
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Relz Reviewz offers author interviews, character spotlights, book reviews, contests and giveaways, publishing news, and cover art sneak peeks for the best in Christian fiction.
July 28, 2015 at 1:20 am
If the book is part of a series that I love (***cough – i.e. anything by Ronie Kendig – cough***) I’ll buy it. I’m usually very cautious about the other books I buy and read them via my library first. If they pass the “I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to re-read” test. I’ll buy it. Thankfully, I work for a book distribution company and can get pretty much any book my heart so desires – kind of like a candy store for book junkies.
July 28, 2015 at 2:30 pm
Amy » Well, with Ronie it’s a given, right?! Sounds like you have your book buying plan all worked out, Amy 🙂
July 28, 2015 at 1:35 am
If it’s an author whose books I have loved with nary a bad apple, then I will buy it, no hesitation, sight unseen. (Lori Benton, Jen Turano, Laura Frantz . . . )
If not–whether it is a new-to-me author or one who has put out both great and mediocre books–then I will read it from the library first. Then if I know I’ll want to reread it more than once, it goes on the wishlist! (And I do reread a lot; not just when it comes to series.) Of course, there are a couple that were okay on the first read, but on second read I decided I liked them enough to buy them after all. Sometimes books do grow on me.
July 28, 2015 at 2:29 pm
Rachael K » Reading from the library is a great way to discern if you will enjoy an author’s writing with no cost.
July 28, 2015 at 3:27 am
Definitely favorite authors. If it’s a name I’ve consistently enjoyed or admired, I want to buy their new books. Review copies also factor in for me. Especially if an author sends me an ARC of their novel, I like to buy a finished copy for my shelf if I liked the book and/or offer a copy to give away. I appreciate authors offering review copies and adding my name to a list, so if I enjoyed their works, if I can, I’d like to support them, even if it is a small gesture. The third thing is reading about the book. If I have done my “research” (this is mostly true for secular novels) and feel like I can trust the sources/reviews, then I will buy the book… plus, my family cannot walk out of the bookstore without a bag of new finds. 😉
July 28, 2015 at 2:28 pm
Rissi » Love that you support authors like that, Rissi. Doesn’t surprise me at all that you do, sweet friend xo
July 28, 2015 at 3:35 am
I have about five authors that I consistently purchase their books whenever a new one arrives. The factors I take into consideration are the following:
1) After reading each one of their books the plot, characters, spiritual/moral lessons have stuck with me for a couple of days. I always have something good (sometimes great) to take away with me afterword.
2) The characters resonate with me and I feel like they could be my friends in real life.
3) I have personally spent a little or a lot of conversation with the authors on social media, e-mail, etc. These authors would probably be kindred spirits if I knew them and was around them personally. That’s probably why I feel friends with the characters because the author’s personality is shining through their characters.
4) This would be a book I would read not once, but multiple times.
5) The author’s writing style just fills a creative spot somewhere in my soul and speaks to me. It may be word usage, spiritual lessons/encouragement, or description.
6) I get emotionally invested in this book.
7) After reading about three of their books I realize they couldn’t write a bad book if they tried. I then realize that they are going to be a favorite with me. There are some of their books I like better than their others, but none of them are read-only-once books.
July 28, 2015 at 2:28 pm
Sylvia M. » You have a well executed plan there, Sylvia – great thoughts. Would love to know who those special five are 🙂
July 28, 2015 at 2:54 pm
There are lots of authors whose books I put on my must-read list. I always request and check those out of the library. If I really enjoy that author’s work, but don’t automatically purchase the book, I will be on the lookout for it in used bookstores, or on great sales after reading the library copy.
Here are the authors whose books I automatically buy.
* Robin Jones Gunn
* Laura Frantz
* Julie Klassen
* Sarah Sundin
* Kaye Dacus
I’m thinking that Dawn Crandall will likely be added to this list. Jody Hedlund, Anne Mateer, Lori Benton, Dani Pettrey, Sibella Giorello, and Karen Witemeyer are right up there at the top too. Some of their books I have purchased right away. Others I’ve read from the library and those books will probably be purchased in the future.
Now if any of my top favourites would start writing stuff that would go against my conscience or start writing paranormal or horror, than I wouldn’t be purchasing those books.
July 29, 2015 at 10:56 pm
Sylvia M. » Great names there, Sylvia 🙂 I’ve read a lot of Robin Jones Gunn’s earlier novels, although not her Christy books 😉 I was a bit too old for their target audience when they released – LOL! Love Laura, Julie, and Sarah’s novels, too.
July 28, 2015 at 6:22 am
Story always comes first for me so I go straight for genre. Once within one of my favorite genres, I then look for favorite authors.
July 28, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Aaron McCarver » 🙂
July 28, 2015 at 8:18 am
I feel like I spend way too much with little reason after reading previous responses…if a book catches my attention even before it’s published {like many books from your cover reveal posts!}, I’ll shell out the full price once it’s out. Usually from an author I already love, but if something about their plot or the eye-catching cover {I’ll admit, I’m so shallow in that sense} draws me in right away, I’m a goner. Now I prefer to hunt for good deals, whether they’re used books, in a bargain section, or a good deal online, with the one downside being that I own 90 books that I haven’t read. But I feel like books are a worthy investment!
July 28, 2015 at 2:27 pm
Marie Smith » Haha! Books are always a good investment, I’m sure, Marie 🙂 Love what works for you!
July 28, 2015 at 9:08 am
I’m a big fan of the “others have bought” list on Amazon. If I’ve read a book I’ll look it up and see what books others have also read
July 28, 2015 at 2:26 pm
Jodie » It’s a great way to find books that you may also enjoy, I agree.
July 28, 2015 at 12:39 pm
I have favourite authors. I tend to buy more ebooks and often look for specials. I sometimes will wait for books to be on special to buy. As I am not reading a many books I am also looking for shorter reads.
July 28, 2015 at 2:26 pm
ausjenny » Sounds like you have a good plan working there, Jenny 🙂
July 28, 2015 at 8:00 pm
Much loved authors are the first thing. I have probably about ten authors who are just an automatic buy. I don’t need to know anything about the book, they deliver a great story, I’ve never felt let down by them, I’ll usually even preorder to get the book as soon as physically possible. For these authors I also always buy physical copies rather than e-Books. I still have a thing about holding the actual book and for a favourite author I just can’t do an eBook!
Next up would be authors in my favourite genre (romantic comedy/contemporary romance). This is where I tend to take a chance on buying new authors the most. Not just because I love it, it’s also what I write so not only do I want to support my fellow writers but I also want to be across what’s going on in that market.
Third would be books I’ve heard a lot of “buzz” about. That’s how I found writers like Katherine Reay and Kate Breslin who got catapulted straight up to my “buy” lis 🙂
July 29, 2015 at 10:54 pm
Kara Isaac » Great thoughts, Kara. I’m with you on having the actual book, especially for beloved authors. Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of yours 😉
July 28, 2015 at 9:04 pm
I don’t have many vices so I happily spend money on books. Instead of magazines and things like that.
If I need to buy the rest of a series, or a favourite author releases a new book? These are my two main reasons for buying. Or just because I went to Koorong and wandered about. Although that’s a bit of a miracle the way their fiction section is organised. I just want to rip things off the shelves and redo the whole thing. But still. If there for long enough I always find something more than I intended to walk out with.
July 29, 2015 at 10:53 pm
Tracy » You and I both over those Koorong shelves, Tracy…grrr!!!
July 28, 2015 at 9:11 pm
Two driving forces for me on pre-orders…there are a few favorite authors that I pre-order books for (Julie Klassen is one of them). Price is the second factor. If there is a good deal on a pre-order (there have been a few $4.99 deals recently) and it’s a book I want to read, I’ll pre-order.
As for books already on the market, I LOVE Kindle deals! I look for those $1 to $3 Kindle deals on books I’d like to read. There are a couple of authors that seem to never have Kindle deals (Joel C Rosenberg for example) so I know if I want to read those authors, it’s likely a library check out for me.
July 29, 2015 at 10:52 pm
Staci » Pre-orders can save a lot of money which is great 🙂
July 28, 2015 at 9:39 pm
I buy a lot of books — books by authors I love (of course) and books by authors I hope to love. While I have shelves and shelves of unread books, not to mention all the titles on my Kindle, I still buy more. To help with the budget, I look for bargains. Recently, Amazon had a Steven James series priced at $1.99 each (Kindle editions), so I bought them all. I do pre-orders as well for a discounted price. I try not to buy hardbacks and wait for the softcover editions. My book club wants to read Go Set A Watchman, but I persuaded them to wait a bit for the release of a paperback. Some may say I have a problem, but I refuse to acknowledge it, therefore, ensuring it really is not a problem. 😉 Great question, as always.
July 29, 2015 at 10:51 pm
Beckie B. » You make me smile, Beckie! I’m a bargain hunter, too. It’s amazing the fantastic stories that can be found in bookshops’ specials tables.
July 29, 2015 at 12:14 am
I am always armed with my monthly list that I pass onto my Library, and I usually suggest newer releases to them. I also use Amazon’s wish list and, and this allows me to make good buying choices. I have also gotten into reading what other customers have said. Last but not least, my kindle! I check in with their top 100 because that’s where I have gotten free ebooks from some of my favourite writers, or been introduced to a author who I was interested in, but I don’t have the budget to buy at full price – but I would if I had the budget for it!
July 29, 2015 at 10:50 pm
Tamara » Thanks for sharing, Tamara 🙂 I’d go a little crazy, too, if I had an unlimited book budget!
July 31, 2015 at 1:10 am
I will buy any book from one of my very favorite authors. Even if I can get them from the library I love to collect my favorites. If I’m not familiar with the author I probably won’t buy it. I am a saver not a spender but my family and friends know that books are my weakness. I can’t say no to an on-sale book from my favorite authors.
August 3, 2015 at 8:06 am
Rebecca » Sales are great for us readers, probably not so much for authors!