Dangers Lurking Behind the Cover

When it's been a while since my last expedition to the bookstore, I like to take some time to prepare. It's only good exploration technique to know the country you will visit, and to be prepared for the hazards that may lurk. So, you ask, what hazards lie in store for the unprepared novel shopper? Well, let me tell you it's not the weather conditions, as the lighting is usually quite predictable. And it's not the terrain, as the shelves are well-lined and often organized in some logical fashion. No, unaccountably, the most diabolical risk to the unguarded shopper is the siren's call of a well-known author and the mesmerizing illusion of a flashy cover. These two fiendishly dangerous hazards can suck the most ghastly novels into the hands and homes of the unwary buyer. Yes, preparation is key! A little bit of fore-knowledge can save you from the uncomfortable realization that you've been duped again.

The first step is determining what is new and what is due. The easiest way to find this information is directly from the publishers. Fortunately, most of the very best and biggest publishers have sites which offer just that. An opportunity to see what has recently been released and what books are soon to be available to you. The publishers will frequently provide excerpts and author interviews to give you a hint of what these books might contain behind those flashy covers and the bold-faced authors.

The second step is to research the non-affiliated opinion. The fan reviews and forum discussions for these books are where the best and truest opinions will be found. There are many sites and a few newsgroups offering a delightful mix of opinionated reviews. I have my favorite reviewers, most of them write for at least one of the e-zines on the web. If you visit them on a regular basis and then compare your expectations with your experiences you'll soon be able to find your favorites and trust them to offer you a respectable opinion.

The third, and last step, is to wear your magic techno-enhanced armor and don't be too confident. Be aware of your weaknesses. If it's not on your reviewed list don't let that book jump into your hands. Be strong, don't reach, don't even look. But then again, sometimes the very best books have jumped into my ensorcelled arms. I've been surprised to find that the flashy cover can spawn the eagerness of a fresh read after months of wading through the same old tired material. Get the book home and it may just be the only one worth reading, and better yet it radiates on your bookshelf too.

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