A few weeks ago, I asked people on a well-known social media site how and where they bought their next read. In yesteryear, it was the library or bookshop. In my hometown of Tunbridge Wells, there were five shops that sold books. In addition, we enjoyed a children’s library (clean hands, please and no shrieking), a lending library (subdued voices and courtesy) and reference library (best behaviour and don’t waste the librarian’s time). Now, of course, it’s all different.
A French resident UK reader
I love a mooch around Waterstones when in the UK.
A top fan living in the US
Indie/BRAG; HNS meetings; BookBub recommendations; social media.
(Indie = self or independently published; HNS = Historical Novel Society; BookBub is a prominent book discovery site; social media – you know what that is 😉 )
A fellow author
1) Secondhand bookshops, and any charity shops that sell vintage books. I tend not to browse modern paperbacks in charity shops, because I mostly read mid-century or earlier classics of fiction and non-fiction for pleasure.
2) Authors who offer me review copies (but I only accept if I genuinely expect to enjoy them).
Oh, and (3) hearing extracts on BBC4 Radio 4.
A top fan living in the UK
Largely from my guests on [my live book discussion] – and usually Audible
A British book reviewer living in France
Social media for discovering newly released books and generally Amazon for buying the Kindle version. Do love a real bookshop, but that is a rare treat for a trip back to the UK. Will always look for gems in charity shops too.
A French resident UK reader
It depends on the type of books, for most fiction I usually read book reviews or search for subjects that interest me then read a sample on my Kindle. Sometimes I receive advance notice of books being published – I’m currently reading Vianne, and just received my advance copy of Boustany by Sami Tamimi. Then occasionally I have random thoughts, for example, yesterday I ordered a copy of a second hand book from the US that I last read aged ten because it has a recipe I remember. [My husband] loves Waterstones, but given that I usually try to buy the entire shop, you may find me tied to a lampost outside..
A UK-based reader
Mmmm. Amazon send me notifications. Authors I follow send me heads up (yourself included). Authors I follow sometimes have a ‘ what are we reading’ page (love these❤️) & I can get great tips from these.
Where do I buy them? It used to be Amazon. I don’t by REAL books anymore as my arthritis makes it really hard to hold the books. Since the problems with Amazon arose I try to go through the author themselves or find another outlet.
A UK-based reader and author
I tend to find out about new authors from my bookworm sister. If I like an author I’ll keep an eye out for later books. Sometimes I see books I like the look of on social media. I buy ebooks from Amazon and paperbacks from Amazon or Waterstones usually.
A UK-based reader
If by ‘new’ you mean ‘new to me’ books, then second-hand bookshops and charity shops. I wouldn’t touch Amazon with a bargepole! And I’ve recently joined the village book club, so that is providing books I might not otherwise have come across. And recommendations from family – mostly from younger daughter.
A UK-based reader
It used to be from Amazon or Facebook group recommendations, nowadays it’s through NetGalley or BookSirens ARCs.
A UK-based author
Almost always buy on Amazon. I find quite a lot there when searching for some other book, I am part of a bookclub so other people introduce me to books I might not have chosen myself, I see a lot of writers and if their books look interesting I’ll go get those. A lot of my friends and family read a lot so I get recommendations. Sometimes I want to read a specific genre of historical era subset because I’m planning to write it myself and I want to see what others have written and what readers expect. When I want that I’m usually looking at latest releases as styles sometimes vary over time. Lots of ways really! Also tv or films that came from books.
A top fan
Social media groups for my hobbies and Amazon.
A French resident UK reader
Bookbub, Amazon, email updates from authors I follow, book groups and second hand book shops, occasionally supermarkets and big bookshops when travelling
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A UK-based reader
I find and buy books in our local charity shops.
UK-based writer and reader
I read reviews in weekend papers. Then request what I fancy from the library to help the author.
A very varied response! Curious that nobody mentioned libraries.
Me? All of the above. Digitally, I buy for my Kindle and Kobo readers. I also buy at conferences and book events where I can ask the writer to sign the book. When in the UK or Ireland, nothing will hold me away from a bookshop. Search parties have been initiated…
Alison Morton is the author of Roma Nova thrillers – INCEPTIO, CARINA (novella), PERFIDITAS, SUCCESSIO, AURELIA, NEXUS (novella), INSURRECTIO and RETALIO, and ROMA NOVA EXTRA, a collection of short stories. Audiobooks are available for four of the series. Double Identity, a contemporary conspiracy, starts a new series of thrillers. JULIA PRIMA, Roma Nova story set in the late 4th century, starts the Foundation stories. The sequel, EXSILIUM, is now out.
Find out more about Roma Nova, its origins, stories and heroines and taste world the latest contemporary thriller Double Identity… Download ‘Welcome to Alison Morton’s Thriller Worlds’, a FREE eBook, as a thank you gift when you sign up to Alison’s monthly email update. As a result, you’ll be among the first to know about news and book progress before everybody else, and take part in giveaways.
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