How to decide what book to buy

Whether if it is for enjoyment or for studying purposes, this article will help you on deciding what book is best for you. You will be given several ways to decide on how to effectively decide on what book to buy as well as things to consider when buying one.

How to decide what book to buy

Are you tired of buying books that end up collecting dust on your shelves? Then you have visited to the right article.

Making the right choice when it comes to buying books can be a challenge, but with the right approach, you can ensure that every book you buy is one that you'll love and cherish.

How to choose a book to buy

Buy the Tom Butler-Bowdon’s 50 Classics Series

For those who are interested in what books to buy for studying purposes, the best way to understand a topic—be it Psychology, Political-Science, Economics, etc., is to read at least a dozen of books that are considered to be the “classics”.

Tom Butler-Bowdon's 50 Classic Series is a great resource for choosing what books to buy because it consists of summaries of 50 books that are deemed "classics" in the genre you have selected.

Treat the 50 Classic Series books like a magazine, the only difference between a normal magazine and this one is that this book features summarized content for 50 books that are related to your chosen genre;

Once you found an interest in one of the books within the content, buy that book next.

It doesn’t have to be Tom Butler-Bowdon’s 50 Classics Series, you can receive the same benefit from buying another book that is a collection of summarized content from other books.

If you are a novice or have an interest on learning a specific topic, then I suggest buying Tom Butler-Bowdon’s 50 Classics book with the desired genre.

The 50 Classics Series consists of the following genres:

  • Self-Help;
  • Success;
  • Psychology;
  • Prosperity;
  • Philosophy;
  • Politics;
  • Economics; And
  • Business

Buy books from the same author

These method works for fiction and non-fiction books, this however, requires you to have already own a book that is written by the author—or at the very least have read it.

Benefits for buying a book from the same author:

  • Already familiar with the author’s writing style; And
  • Having a general idea on what to expect in terms of the content’s quality and style.

Ask for suggestions from Social Media and Real life

Not only can you ask for book suggestions in social media, you can also join book clubs or reading groups, depending on the Social Media platform.

Simply asking for a book suggestion to a friend, an avid reader, a teacher, or a librarian is also effective.

Joining book clubs or reading groups with the use of Social Media or in real life is a great way to discover new books and connect with like-minded people.

Ways to get book suggestions with the use of social media:

  • Facebook. Simply search “book suggestions” in Facebook and filter it to only view Groups—Now apply and join.
  • Twitter and Instagram. Search #books, #BookRecommendations, #BookSuggestions or a genre of your choosing, for example: #funny, #horror, #politicalscience, #selfimprovement, etc..
  • Reddit. Visit r/booksuggestions in reddit and post what type of book you are looking for.

Check the bestsellers lists and their reviews

Simply skimming through the bestsellers lists for book from your local or international online store will guarantee you to find a book that fits your fancy.

This is the simplest and most effective way to decide on what book to buy.


Things to consider

Should you buy old books or new books?

Whether you should buy an old or new book depends on your personal preferences and the purpose for which you want to use the book.

Old worn-out books—that are not rare or limited edition, tend to be cheaper than a newly manufactured one;

If you are simply looking for a specific edition of a book, without a care of its origins, then buying an old book is the most viable option for you.

On the other hand, if you are looking for the most up-to-date information on a subject on the other hand, a new book may be a better option.

New books are likely to reflect the latest research and advancements in a field, and may also have a modern simplistic writing style.

Ultimately, the decision to buy an old or new book will depend on your specific needs and goals, and what you hope to gain from reading it.

What is the author’s reputation and credibility?

If the author is a well-known and respected expert in their field, they are likely to have valuable insights and accurate information to share;

However, if it is the opposite, then it may indicate that the book is based on questionable research or biased opinions.

In either case, considering the author's reputation and credibility can help you make an informed decision about whether the book is a good fit for your needs and interests.

Check book reviews and ratings

Book reviews and ratings are useful to consider because they can give you an idea of what to expect from the book and help you assess whether it's a good fit for your needs and interests.

However, it's important to keep in mind that reviews and ratings can be subjective, and may not always accurately reflect the quality of the book.

Consider combining them with other factors, such as the author's reputation and your own personal preferences, to make an informed decision.



SUMMARY

  • Buy the Tom Butler-Bowdon’s 50 Classics Series. It consists of summaries of 50 books that are deemed "classics" in the genre you have selected.
  • Buy books from the same author. It assures that you have a general idea on what to expect.
  • Ask for suggestions from Social Media and Real life.
  • Check the bestsellers lists and their reviews.
  • Buy new books if you want the information up-to-date; Buy old books if you are simply looking for a specific edition of a book.
  • Consider the author’s reputation and credibility, if he is respected, then his insights are likely valid, the opposite is also true.
  • Check the book’s reviews and ratings, it gives you an idea what to expect from the book and see whether it is favored or not.

Copyright ©2023 by Marshall Vulta