Happy Friday the 13th—In October no less. I’m at a conference this weekend, so I’ll catch up to the comments asap–I always appreciate everyone who contributes with their comments. It’s how we get to know each other–and it’s just fun reading what everyone says–so again, thank you!
So, I thought we’d have a little fun today and talk about quirky reasons we buy the romance books we buy. I mean we all have our favorite authors, right? Or maybe a favorite type of book like one with cowboys, or foodie books, or historical books–there are so many reasons we ALL buy books.
But I recently ran across a meme with a quote from the book and the gal’s name in the quote was Lindy Peterson. Well, my name is Lindi Peterson. You know I HAD to buy the book. And while it’s not a romance, it has romance in it, I recommend this book to everyone–I just finished the audio. The books is by Amanda Cox and it’s called He Should Have Told the Bees. Fabulous book.
But, as an avid romance reader I asked myself would I have picked up the book if I hadn’t seen my name as a character? Not sure. Another quirky book buy for me was this. I used to read Danielle Steele ALL the time. Every book–but that was years ago. I’m talking 20 plus years. Then somewhat recently I saw she had a new book in Walmart–I picked it up to read the first paragraph or two to see, I’m not exactly sure what, but the next thing I know 20 minutes have gone by and I’m still in the aisle reading. The woman can still suck me into a book. So, I’ve started following her on Instagram and I audible all her new books. Quirky, right?
Another reason I buy a book that might seem a little quirky is if I know it’s the author’s first book. I love to see what caught an editor’s attention to buy a book from someone who hasn’t been published before. Another reason I might buy a book I wouldn’t otherwise buy is if the author has written about where I live. I love to picture the characters on the streets or at venues I know exist-what fun!
So, what quirky reasons do you buy books? Everyone who comments will be in the drawing for a $10.00 Amazon gift card to buy a quirky book. Drawing will end Friday night at midnight October 2oth, 2023.
Ellie says
I don’t think this is a quirky reason, but I’ll buy a book by an author because I’ve come to like them through their newsletter or social media presence.
Lilly says
Sometimes the cover can attract me to a book…of course then I will see what genre it belongs to and that said genre is something I usually read hahah.
Joannie Sico says
It would definitely get my attention if I saw a character with the same name as me(I mean just my first but it’s not that common to see). I would also go for a book where I lived or maybe wanted to visit. If there’s a yummy food/dessert on the cover, I got the book because it looked so good once.
RuthieH says
I would love a character with the same name as me, I’ve never come across that! I do buy books that are set in places I live or have lived – not many where I currently live in the South West of England, but I used to live in London which gives more options, I like seeing characters visit places I’ve visited or taking the same number bus or using a station I know.
For some reason I have always been drawn to books with first names in the title, especially unusual names – Tara Grace Ericson’s the Bloom Sisters series is a great example of this and I bought them all. I find a lot of historical romances do titles with names in so I read a lot of those too.
Renate says
Hi Lindi! This quirky retired high school English teacher loves your reasons to purchase books: setting, name in a book, and I also recently just purchased another Danielle Steele book. Since I retired a decade ago, the main quirky reasons to purchase books are: 1. PRICE. The bang for the buck. Always have looked for sales – even before I began purchasing e-books to save my marriage. I have books in every room of my house. LOL 2. The cover caught my interest. Followed by the blurb. 3. Another QUIRK – holiday inspired books. This German American Oma loves her holidays. Christmas is her favorite. Followed by Easter, Valentine’s Day, Halloween (my mom’s birthday), and Thanksgiving. Lesser know holidays make me want to purchase a book. 4. Quirky book purchase for quirky animals in books – chickens, camel, ducks, pigs, goats, sheep, parrots and more. 5. Such quickly purchases that I advertise with my purple t-shirt: I just love reading and gnomes.
Enjoy your conference and the weekend.
Renate says
I dislike auto spell – didn’t reread before posting. May need another cup of coffee. LOL
#5. Quirky purchases.
bn100 says
nothing quirky
Betty Armstrong says
Hi Lindi!
Enjoy your conference!
I will buy books for the same reasons you listed, especially places I’ve been or would like to see and names. I’ve picked up several books because a main character had the same name as someone in my family, especially my husband’s name, Gunnar (often spelled Gunner.) There have even been several that had my (married) last name, Armstrong, or my mother’s maiden name, Jamison, as a first name for the main male character. Additionally, I felt an immediate kinship with author Michele Sass Aleckson when I read in the Acknowledgments in Crazy for You (a Deep Haven novel) that she had a son named Trygg, since my youngest has the same uncommon Scandinavian-derived name (though we spell it Tryg.) So of course, I now keep an eye out for other books by her! (I do genuinely enjoy her writing too!)
Alicia Haney says
My quirky reason would be Just Because! :) Have a great weekend.
Lindi Peterson says
Ellie–Thank you for sharing! I love getting to know authors as well–whether it’s online or in person.
Lindi Peterson says
Lily–how true!! I love covers. I can’t design them at all, but I do love looking at pretty ones.
Lindi Peterson says
Joannie—I do love a good food cover myself. All the yummies, right? Especially sweets like you said.
Lindi Peterson says
Ruthie–Yes to the names. I also love a title with a Duke or a Duchess, right? My Enemy the Queen is one of my FAV books ever by Victoria Holt.
Lindi Peterson says
Renate–Hello!! Are you battling cold weather yet up there in Mi? I always think of you when I hear Michigan anything. There’s a great gal who runs Every Woman a Theologian, Phylicia Masonheimer who lives in Michigan. She is having a Verity Conference this weekend. I really wanted to attend, but I had already registered for this. Maybe one day. Sounds like we have a lot of the same reasons for buying books. And yay, for Danielle Steele–I mean, she’s an icon, right?
Lindi Peterson says
No worries there!! Have a great day-and thank you for visiting Inspy!
Lindi Peterson says
Betty—What a great name, Trygg-I haven’t heard of it, but I love the way you’ve connected to an author because of it. I have a few unusual names in my family, so it’s rare that I find characters with those names, but it is fun when I do.
Lindi Peterson says
Alicia—an amazing quirky reason!!!
Renate says
Thanks for the thoughts. Yesterday we had beautiful sunny fall weather. Been warmer than normal – without frost at night – so leaves aren’t turning yet. Most of the week it was in the mid fifties. Drizzly gloomy weather today – rain for the weekend. Big Notre Dame Football game this weekend. Indiana isn’t happy. This weather can hold till after Thanksgiving. We will see. Will look up your friend. Enjoy your weekend.
Kris Cordova says
I buy books if I have read a book by an author before (and often preorder books without reading anything about then if I have loved the writing… I’ll buy anything from a Carolyn Miller, or Roseanna M White.)
I have bought books because I have beard then recommended on a podcast, because they are set in a place I am visiting (like on my honeymoon I read a book that took place in Alaska). I will buy books when they are apart of a series of I have only read the first one. I have also bought books just because I thought the cover was pretty. I bought a book simply because of the title for a reading challenge.
I will also buy books for specific seasons / times of year. Like I am reading Michelle Griep Lost in Darkness right now (for my autumn read) and I finished the Resort to Romance series for summer.
I’ve also purchased books because they are a series set (like Doors to The Past).
I’ll also buy books if I like the publishing house like Zondervan, or Burbor.
My weirdest one is if it is even referenced in another book.
Elizabeth Litton says
I bought a CF book because the heroine’s last name was the same as mine. :D (Hers was Lytton, and mine is Litton–a variation that happened when my ancestors came over to America.)
Debra Pruss says
I buy books because of the covers. I also buy books from authors that I have read before. I have also purchased books when I have heard them interviewed. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Lindi Peterson says
Kris–thanks for sharing. I love having auto-buy readers. And I love a good setting like Alaska-Belle Calhoun is one of my favorite Alaska authors.
Lindi Peterson says
Elizabeth–How interesting! I love that you know that bit of family history. Thank you for visiting Inspy!
Lindi Peterson says
Debra–Thank you for visiting Inspy! I do love a good book cover. It always makes me pick up the book at the very least and read what it is about. Blessings to you!
Ausjenny says
I am the first to admit there are books I bought because of the cat on the cover. One was a cozy mystery series. I loved book one and bought the next few (still on the TBR pile) I got one earlier this year from a discount email because the hero had a fear of cats. (I thought it was CCR but its sweet/clean it was good but I am now more careful). I have others I bought cos of the cat on the cover. Jan Drexler’s cozy mysteries was cos of the cat and dog on the cover and then I had to have book two. I am sorry shes now retired from writing cos I was looking forward to book three.
CarolynP says
I have purchased a book just because it has my name in it (though not my full name). My maiden name, Pauling, is so uncommon I had to buy the book for our family holiday home. I haven’t even read it! I even thought about messaging the author to find out where they heard the name but didn’t.
I also buy books by authors set in New Zealand where I live :). Love hearing stories featuring my country by someone else. Lindsay Harrel even has a book with NZ on the cover, but I haven’t bought it yet.
Megan says
Sometimes I’ll buy a book by an author I’ve never read if an author I love recommended the book.