This is kind of similar to what I posted a few weeks ago, where I wondered if
book advertising swayed your reading choices, but now I want to know what kinds of things make you decide what to read next. What feeds the TBR pile and what moves things to the top. And, more importantly,
who feeds it and moves it along.
I know that often I'll put books on the TBR just from what publishers send to me and read in order of release. Then there are the sequels to all the great series I started, which sometimes take a back seat, but usually make it to the top eventually. I know that usually when I first hear about or see a new title coming out it's months in advance (which is a two-edged sword, me thinks, but that is a post for another day). I'll see the description, but rarely am I drawn to read it just from that (exceptions: authors whose stuff I've adored in the past...and dystopian).
I think it requires a bit more than those eagerly anticipating posts (like my
I Actually NEED It posts) to persuade me. Sometimes. I usually need a few trusted folks to get it, read it, and write good solid reviews. I like to note those things mentioned that I might like or dislike and decide based on that. Or sometimes I throw caution to the wind and move it up the TBR based solely on one random raving review. Or a really fun description.
And so, since I'm in an analyzing mood and not a reviewing mood, here's a look at what induced me to pick up my last eight reads (with the random added bonus of where it came from):
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
-Despite the many good and reliable reviews I saw for this, I think it was the mere fact of it being a Printz Honor book tipped the scales. Plus, I've enjoyed everything Maggie's written that I've read. Library.
Revived by Cat Patrick
-Sent for review from the publisher (I requested it, because of the wicked-cool-sounding premise) and then I got a chance to be part of the blog tour. That certainly pushed it to the top of the TBR :)
Curse of the Blue Tattoo by LA Meyer
-I mentioned the
two bloggers who influenced me to pick up the first in the series. Which in turn influenced my need to devour them all. A case of next in the series. Audio download from library.
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
-This is one that intrigued me from the first mention of its summary. I had it on my radar. Then, several trusted bloggers wrote lovely reviews and I wanted it. Finally, NetGalley had a special promo offering it and the deal was sealed.
Die For Me by Amy Plum
-This one was sent for review (you know, way back when it was first published, which is a hint of the awful wasteland that inhabits my review books) and then the winner of my Book Puzzle Mini-Challenge picked it as a prize. I thought I'd try to squeeze a read of it out before sending it off.
Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull
-A delightful sequel to a fun series by a favorite author. Library.
Partials by Dan Wells
-Beautiful cover, dystopian premise (which, btw, is a huge weakness for me from the summary phase), Utah author (I have a weakness for them too). Done deal. Library.
Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
-Picked up only because it was the Newbery winner and I had to figure out how it beat out my beloved Okay For Now.
So, I'm wondering what moves your books up the TBR? Feel free to tell me about your most recent reads and the reasons behind them. And who do you use as a move-it-to-the-top reviewer (like Angie, Small Review, and Susan, among others, for me)?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
Middle Grade Me Recommends…The Choose Your Own Adventure series. For the first time, I didn’t have to go on the journey the author chose for me—I could choose the path myself! I certainly wouldn’t want all books to be like this, but at that point in my life, it was incredibly exciting and empowering to control the outcome of the story. 
High School Me Recommends…Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. I have to admit: I love me some dystopia. The Hunger Games, Divergent, The Maze Runner…yes, please! I think that love traces back to Fahrenheit 451. In high school, I didn’t read a lot more than what was required. But this was one requirement that I devoured. 
Twentysomething Me Recommends…The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. Thinking of it gives me chills: It’s so lyrical and lovely despite being about the abduction and murder of a young girl. I think Sebold’s choice to tell the story from the perspective of the victim was genius. It’s a book I’ll never forget. 
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