How I Decide Which Book To Read Next

This is one of my favorite things.

What a luxury, to be able to buy any book I want to read.

Back in the day I used to check out the maximum number allowed at one time from the Milwaukee County Public Library.

Weekly half mile long walks carrying them back and forth — no fun in winter.

Now the library comes to me: what a great world.

I like to have at least three but ideally four or five new novels on my "To Read" shelf.

I choose books based on reviews in the many online newspapers and magazines and newsletters I read, as well as chance recommendations/mentions in any number of online hangouts like Hacker News and Cool Tools.

But I digress.

The actual selection process is always the same: I put all the possible books in a stack next to my reading spot.

I think to myself: read the first twenty pages and if they're not compelling, put the book down and move on to the next.

Here's the thing — I very rarely get to a second or third book because invariably I'm engrossed in the very first one I started.

Wait a sec — what's that song I'm hearing?