- How did you come across your favorite author(s)? Recommended by a friend? Stumbled across at a bookstore? A book given to you as a gift?
- Was it love at first sight? Or did the love affair evolve over a long acquaintance?
1. Usually I come by them because of recommendations from people who I know have a similar reading taste as I do or they could just be talking about good writers. Specifically, I remember that Lois McMaster Bujold was talked about from time to time in various places such as a role playing e-mail list (In Nomine) and spaceopera forums. Brust I think I come by at the local library so he’s sort of an anomaly in my usual pattern. Gaiman… gosh, it’s been so long! I remember picking up a translated Sandman comics album but I can’t remember if he was recommended before or not. Probably not. I think I picked up Logston’s Shadow by chance, too, but can’t remember anymore where.
2. I know very quickly if I like a writer’s style or not. Usually, if the first book isn’t good I don’t bother to read another. Why should I?
Mervi's Book reviews 
January 10, 2008 at 12:27 pm
yap, i agree. if i don’t like the first book that i read from that author. i black list that author. 😉
mine is also up!
January 10, 2008 at 5:59 pm
That is how I feel though I have been encouraged to give certain authors another try. Everyone writes a dog at one point in their career so I try to take that into account. Happy BTT!
January 10, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I come by recommendation by people who have similar taste in reading as I do too. Word of the mouth help lot and even bloggers.
Happy BTTs – I hope you’ve a good day/weekend and head! 🙂
January 10, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Yes, word of mouth is a good indicator. I would include bloggers to that group because we are really “just” talking about our favourite books, right?
Sometimes I give authors a second try if I get enough enthusiastic recommendations. 🙂 But sometimes it’s just clear that a writer’s style just isn’t appealing to me.
Julia: thanks! I hope so!
January 11, 2008 at 12:59 pm
It’s hard to give an author another chance if you happen to pick up a dud by them. But most authors have at least one book that’s ho-hum compared to their other work.
January 11, 2008 at 10:17 pm
I drop a lot of authors because I don’t like the first book I read of theirs. Then I feel bad when others rant about the same author! Occasionally I give them a second try.