How much weight does an author’s name play into your selection of a book? Nora's viewpoint

How much weight does an author’s name play into your selection when purchasing a book? Unlike Jeannette, my response is very little. But I do need a path to finding these new to me authors.

One of my favorite bookstores is located in the San Francisco airport. A stop over there means a long-haul flight to Asia or Europe onto Africa, which means I’ll need something to read. I head straight to the display area marked employee favorites. After reading several pages of a book, it becomes clear if the unknown author has a writing style and subject matter that is interesting to me. There are usually more intriguing books on the shelves than can fit into my carry-on bag. So, on my return flight I stop in the bookstore again and take more home.

While cruising down Colorado boulevard, I always make detour and go to Vroman’s bookstore. They have two tables covered with stacks of books, marked: Employee Favorites. This is where I discovered my all-time favorite author, Ha Jin.

Yes, I do purchase books by authors that are familiar to me online. But without these suggestion tables in bookstores, I would have missed out on Montana 1948 by Larry Watson. This book transported me to a community that covered its dark secrets, and through the actions of some courageous characters, found solutions. And I’m certain that Xandra Blingley’s story titled Bertie May and Mrs. Fish would never have popped up on You Might Also Like This list online. But let me tell you it is a hoot.

I hope that some of you reading this blog will be adventurous and read our book, The Contest.