SK blurbs

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Srbo

Uber Member
Mar 23, 2008
15,209
7,617
Canada
When I see a blurb by SK on a book, regardless of who the author is and what genre, I`m not even checking what the book is about, I`m buying it, period.
And because of that, my TBR pile is sky-high, `cause he seems to like a lot of authors...and maybe sometimes he also tries to boost their career, a blurb by him means the sales will be higher by far than they would be without it.
But sometimes I`m disappointed, the book I bought just because of him are not turning out to be good, at least for me
Rare, but it happens..
Are you this way, do you trust King to "pick" the books for you?
Whose other writers recommendations do you value?
 

Mr Nobody

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2008
3,306
9,050
Walsall, England
Can't say I take that much notice, tbh. Some author endorsements actually aren't for the book in question, but for something the author did previously and the publisher just runs with it - though obviously that can't happen if it's a first (published) book.
I have taken a closer look at books with an endorsement by someone like SK (or Ian Rankin or Val McDermid when it comes to crime fiction), but ultimately I'll still give it the same quick skim as any other book gets and decide from there.

(Good to 'see' you again, BTW!)
 

mal

content
Jun 23, 2007
4,714
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Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I do not follow other writers suggestions. If anything, musicians I read about will sometimes mention a book and I'll check it out (if I am a fan of the musician). I have found some of my best stuff through friends recommendations. Mostly discovery...buying cheap stuff I've never heard of at used book sales, buying books by the bag at library sales and scouring the library every three weeks or so.
 

MarkS73

Well-Known Member
Nov 24, 2014
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Netherlands
When King mentions books on his twitteraccount i usually go to Goodreads and see what readers have to say about it. If it sounds good i'll buy the book. I don't follow his recommendations blindly. There are just too many good books out there. When there's only a blurb on a book by an author i don't know i usually don't trust it, i'll need more context then that. You never know wether it's on there because King just wants to do the author a favor or something like that. I imagine someone like Stephen King getting lots of requests from publishers and then being too polite to say he thinks the book sucks after he read it. If i read phrases like ''an interesting book by a young new writer'' on a book it usually leads me to believe the person who read it has absolutely nothing positive to say about it :)

I have no idea if this is really how this works but it's what i always imagine when i see those blurbs on books. Usually they don't really tell me much. I always feel like i have to take it with a grain of salt..

In any case, when it's on his twitter his enthusiasm is genuine, the more he raves about it the more i'm willing to give it a chance...

The most book recommendations come from this forum actually, the What Are You Reading thread is a goldmine for finding new books to read..:)
 

Srbo

Uber Member
Mar 23, 2008
15,209
7,617
Canada
I do not follow other writers suggestions. If anything, musicians I read about will sometimes mention a book and I'll check it out (if I am a fan of the musician). I have found some of my best stuff through friends recommendations. Mostly discovery...buying cheap stuff I've never heard of at used book sales, buying books by the bag at library sales and scouring the library every three weeks or so.

Musicians, eh?
Interesting. Which musician do you like?
 

Srbo

Uber Member
Mar 23, 2008
15,209
7,617
Canada
SK has introduced me to many new authors. Always willing to give his recommendation a try.

So am I, but sometimes he really misses.
Well, my taste, anyway.
He hailed the book " The Gollum of Hollywood " by Jonathan and Jessie Kellerman to no end....
Man, was that ever a struggled to finish it and the story was really bad for me.

But then again, he got me to read Stephen Dobyns and Michael Koryta, which are absolute masters of the word.
 

Sundrop

Sunny the Great & Wonderful
Jun 12, 2008
28,520
156,619
I'm not sure if I've ever paid attention to any blurbs on books. I know it sounds odd, but the cover art is what attracts me first, then the book title.....then I usually read the little synopsis (is that what it's called?). Sometimes, and very rarely I'll read something recommended by a friend or co worker, but their tastes are so far off the mark for me, that I'm often disappointed.
 

mal

content
Jun 23, 2007
4,714
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Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Musicians, eh?
Interesting. Which musician do you like?
Don't judge me too harshly...
Tom Waits
Elvis Costello
Bob Dylan
Joe Jackson
Little Feat
The Jags
Neil Young
Northern Pikes
Lou Reed
John Prine
Thelonius Monk
Miles Davis
Charlie Parker
Elvis Presley
...that's just the beginning off the top of my head...I like a whole lot of one hit wonders and the obscure as well.
 

GNTLGNT

The idiot is IN
Jun 15, 2007
87,651
358,754
62
Cambridge, Ohio
...no disrespect, but that's a big negatory good buddy!....I might read the blurb, but it doesn't impart a ceaseless fire that can't be quenched until I throw money on the counter for said book.....
 
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Srbo

Uber Member
Mar 23, 2008
15,209
7,617
Canada
Don't judge me too harshly...
Tom Waits
Elvis Costello
Bob Dylan
Joe Jackson
Little Feat
The Jags
Neil Young
Northern Pikes
Lou Reed
John Prine
Thelonius Monk
Miles Davis
Charlie Parker
Elvis Presley
...that's just the beginning off the top of my head...I like a whole lot of one hit wonders and the obscure as well.

Judge you?
This is awesome, man!
 
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Srbo

Uber Member
Mar 23, 2008
15,209
7,617
Canada
...no disrespect, but that's a big negatory good buddy!....I might read the blurb, but it doesn't impart a ceaseless fire that can't be quenched until I throw money on the counter for said book.....

It doesn`t matter how long I live here, I will NEVER learn English properly.
But I`m glad when a chance comes along to learn a new word - like nugatory.
Had to look it up and put into context to get the meaning.
Thanks, brother.
 
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