For me it's a big mix! I've actually gotten a surprising number of good recs here on DCUM. I'll ask my friend circle for recs - they often have good ones. Reviews, twitter, podcasts, magazine writeups - I find books in all these places. My agent just recommended a book to me that I'd been putting off reading, and I ended up loving it. I get a fair number of books through Kindle Unlimited and the Amazon First Reads program, too - just, picking by title and writeup usually, then.

I don't look at lists, because I don't find much of a correlation between what makes the lists and what I like.

I do use Goodreads but I don't have any rule about 4+ or 3+ stars or anything. Some of my favorite books are poorly rated on Goodreads! (My own books aren't very well rated there either.)

But I will read GR reviews more for a vibe check than anything - to see if people's complaints seem like ones that I can deal with. If I'm getting annoyed by a book, I will sometimes go to GR to see if other people have the same complaints.

I used to do what PP suggests and browse bookstores, and see if a cover and some lines grab me. I almost only read on my Kindle now so I don't do that as much anymore.

I don't go on ratings ever. I go on readings. Pick up the book, read the first page, if you keep reading to page 20 buy it.

Goodreads, bookstagram, and booktok.

The critics and some of the awards are getting paid by the give publishers.

I have an extensive to read list on goodreads and an extensive want to read tag on libby. I am in a book club, and I look at what books people like here and in the Peloton Moms Book Club on FB - and I talk to my friends in real life about what books they're reading.

I don't love the prize lists - I think those are too intellectual for me, so luckily I loved Demon Copperhead BEFORE it won any awards

I have authors I like, and I read their new releases, and if a lot of people are really talking about a book and I think I might be interested in the topic, I check it out.

I don't like reading other people's reviews of books before I read it - I don't want any spoilers. I look at the general topic of the book on Goodreads, but not really more than that. I like reading on my kindle now, and sometimes I read the intro samples to books and see what "grabs" me before I decide.

Anonymous wrote:Prize short lists and sometimes long lists (Pulitzer, National Book Award, Pen, Booker, Orange). New York Times notable books of the year. For 20th century classics -- the Modern Library 100 for both fiction and nonfiction.

I’ve used the prize lists for years, but find them much less reliable now that they’d treated winners are treated like a version of Christian Rock, valued for their message more than their quality.

Prize short lists and sometimes long lists (Pulitzer, National Book Award, Pen, Booker, Orange). New York Times notable books of the year. For 20th century classics -- the Modern Library 100 for both fiction and nonfiction.

I also have a couple of literary critics who I trust.

List and rate the books on Goodreads that you loved and hated. Find through “compare books” active reviewers with whom your tastes are similar.

Here’s how I find books to read and buy:
- Events at local bookstores and books highlighted in their emails or newsletters.
- NYT and Washington Post books Sunday book sections. I also follow their Instagram pages and look at their best books of the year lists when they are published in Nov/Dec.
- Bookstagramer reviews
- Books/ authors profiles on NPR.
-Browsing bookstores

So lots of books recommended here end up on my shelf and I end up quite liking them.

Usually I use Goodreads for the rating, looking for a 4+. I look at the 3 star reviews and read the first screen of reviews.

Sometimes I find searching on Goodreads a little tedious. I'm curious how others get their book recommendations. I've also gotten a few book recommendations fr9m other books or things like reading the Costco connection magazine.

There's some people who post their reading list on their website, and if I like/respect/appreciate/agree with the person overall, books they like are generally well enjoyed by me too.

I love browsing book stores and used book stores, usually for an hour or so. I'll pick 6 or so books, sit down, read a page or two, check reviews.

But always am eager for more and an curious what you all do.