This week’s Top 10 Tuesday is a pretty fun topic! There’s a lot of different factors that go into me picking up a book. Sometimes it’s an impulse buy because of a pretty cover and awesome back cover description, other times its because I’ve read lots of really good reviews of it.

Top 10 Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish, but has now moved to That Artsy Reader Girl. If you’re interested in taking part click here.

Cover – As much as I try not to be swayed by a cover, my brain just can’t help being drawn to colourful, pretty or unique covers.

Title – Some titles make me roll my eyes and I instantly avoid. Others just get your attention and draw you in like a fish on a hook.

Blurb – I often skim read the blurb on the back cover looking for something that I think I’d like, something unique or particularly compelling.

Concept – If I read the back cover blurb and it sounds like a rehash of plots or storylines that have been done that puts me off. So many blurbs just sound the same. When I read a back cover and it has a unique or interesting concept, that really gets my attention.

First page – When I’m browsing I’ll often read the first page to see if it draws me in, but also to get a sense of the writing style.

Genre – I read quite a variety of genres but I definitely lean towards science fiction and fantasy so I’m probably more likely to pick up books in those genres.

Reviews – I sometimes make spontaneous purchases, but often I’ll buy a book because I’ve heard good things about it or seen positive reviews.

The author – I read a lot of new authors, but also if I see a new book by an author I absolutely love, I’m quite likely to pick it up even if I don’t know anything about it.

Offers – I’m a sucker for an offer or a good deal. It’s just too hard to resist.

Special binding – For example a fancy hardback, thicker pages, illustrations etc. Especially for classics. I like having leather or cloth bound editions of classics.

What makes you pick up a book?