Quite often, I find that my students (including my own children), find it very difficult choosing books that interest them. As our personalities and interests differ from person to person, it would be handy to share the following tips with your own students or children. Who knows? You may even find it helpful yourself:
Listen to recommendations from people you trust and who you know has the same taste in books as you. It would be handy to keep a list of these recommendations.
Book reviews are very helpful. Read them from anywhere you can such as online, in newspapers or magazines. Magazines for children often contain reviews of a broad selection.
Don't be lazy. Do research and find out what other books some of your favourite authors have written. Chances are, you'll like them all.
If you access to a library, ask the librarian which books are popular and are taken out or sold the most. Google can do the same ;)
Select the section that interests you most and start there. Try the ones that appeal to you.
Skim the shelves of bookshops - you might find something you never knew existed.
The title of the book can be an instant winner or loser.
The author may be familiar, but if he/she is not, don't shoot it down at first.
Read the blurb on the back of the book. If it doesn't get you excited, it's not for you.
Open the book and read the first paragraph or two. Does it appeal to you? Do you want to read more? This is a good way to judge whether you will enjoy the book.
