If you have a Goodreads account, you can ask for a recommendation from other readers based on the books you enjoy. I've had really good luck with that option! That and Amazon recommendations :)

In. Be. Tween. Books. What is THIS you speak of ?! ^_- I am always reading! But, for me, Goodreads is my favorite book tool. Whenever I come across a book that sounds remotely interesting (whether mentioned in a Goodreads newsletter or friend's list, or a recommendation on FB from a friend or several book publishers I subscribe to, or a random NPR blip, and everything in between), I add it to my Goodreads list. When I'm ready for a library trip, I compare my list to what's available at the library, put items on hold, and then go pick up a few days later. I usually pick up a half dozen books or so, so that I'm never without a book. (And "What Should I Read Next" is a useful tool, as well.)

I pretty much always have a pile of books and magazines that at one point I really wanted to read...but sometimes, at the moment I finish reading something, nothing in the pile sounds interesting. That's when I wander the Internet, reading interesting articles, until I'm in the mood to start another book.

My library has a tool that allows me to save books in a reading list, so I add to it when I'm in a bookstore, or I read a recommendation online, etc. I also put books on hold and pick them up at the front door of the library: so much easier with 2 kids in tow.

Another vote for Goodreads. It is a wonderful tool, and the reviews are much more thoughtful than those on Amazon. Like @NonchalantGirl, I add a book to my Goodreads list as soon as I hear about it. Then I am always prepared to start my next book. Best part: I can access the list on my phone when I'm out at a used bookstore or the library, and I always know "the name of that guy that wrote that book about that thing that I wanted to read".

I generally go to the book store (long live print!) and buy 3 books that look interesting to me or that I've been meaning to pick up. I generally read the first chapter or two in all three and go with whatever one grabs me at that moment. Sometimes I never get past the first book, but often it's the second or third book that picks me up. It's a strange system, but I find that contextual influences in my life and mood drastically affect whether I'll get into a specific book at a specific time. It may be years later, when you're perusing your own bookshelf that you'll happen upon one that never grabbed you, you'll sit down and realize that now it works for you.

Ah! Great post! I'm so excited to try Goodreads. I'd just been making a note in my iphone and then making a reallyyy long Amazon wishlist. I then order items off of the Amazon wishlist from my library. Because it's $Free.99

Amazon always has a bunch of free or almost free Kindle books, so I have a digital backlog of at least 50 books I need to read. As for print- I love just being in bookstores, so a new friend is always falling off the shelf, trying to greet me. The only month I try not to read a book, is during November. I do Nanowrimo every November, so its better to not stiffle your own creativity by reading someone else's.

Goodreads--usually based on reviews my friends have written. I'm also a big fan of just perusing the library shelves and picking up titles/covers that look interesting. When you get one that's life-changing--just based on the cover design or somesuch--it's like finding a hidden treasure! (A recent example is Irmgard Keun's novella "After Midnight".)

In most branches of the San Francisco Public Library system there're "Staff Recommends" and "New Releases" shelves and both are a good bet for finding one or two intriguing tomes. I'm currently reading Cloud Atlas because I want to see the movie (but read the book first!). And sometimes if I read a story in the New Yorker I'll look up books by the same author.

P.S. I also feel obligated to read books my friends/acquaintances have published--for better or for worse!

I use a Kobo (e-reader in Canada) and I'm a huge fan of the public library. 99.9% of the books I read are suspense / mysteries, so I logon to the library site and see what interests me. (I am a big fan of Scandinavian authors.) Most of the time the books aren't available, so I put a hold on them and when I'm notified that my number has come up, that's what I read. Every once in a while, I'll read a review of a book and then I'll do a search for it. I almost never buy books.

I love browsing bookstores with a coffee in hand. I can check if a book is available at my local library through their online catalogue.

If a book isn't available through the library system, then I pick up a used copy, if possible. Sometimes I donate the book to the library after I have read it. I also like to lend good reads out to friends.

Books are meant to be shared! :)

Word of mouth is still the best way for me but I like these sites:

Bookslut
The Rumpus
The Millions
Slate
Kirkus

Another Goodreads fan here. I joined a few groups and read along with others to discover what I like. Victorian Literature has opened a whole new world for me and I'm so glad I found it. And, almost every Vic. Lit. book is downloadable for free. :)

I get my recommendations from my library! They have this great service where you tell them 3 books you liked and 1 you didn't, and they suggest some new reads for you. The more I do it, the more they are getting to know my tastes and I've gotten some GREAT recommendations. And best of all, the recommendations AND the books are FREE!!

My literature teacher from collage gave us a lists of his favorite, must read contemporany and must read clasical books. I usually wander about the library and pick whatever caughts my fancy..when i dont find anything i go back to those lists.

When I am buying books I go to Dead Write books in Vancouver BC. I enjoy mysteries and can't wait for the newest paperback of my favourite authors. They send out a newsletter and I check for my favourites. When I visit Victoria I go into Monroe's and ask for the newest nonfiction out on topics that interest me. I've always wanted to visit Powells in Portland. Independent bookstores are the best!
When I go to the Public Library, I first check the new books section, then I look at "Staff Picks" and then I go to the mystery section. When I want to learn about something I search the library computer and then go look at that topic. I did all of the flowers for our daughter's wedding by learning from library books. The library is a wonderful place and it is free! I could never afford to buy the huge number of books I read. One of the best things is you can take out a book that you would never buy because it only has a couple of chapters that interest you.

I'm a librarian and major book nerd hahaha. I am on Good Reads where I get lots of great recommendations. Love perusing NYT Reviews or listening to them on NPR. Chat up your local librarians - they will have great recommendations to pass along!

I always have new books available to read since I started using my Kindle. Currently, I have purchased approximately 50 books I haven't read yet. I have over 500 in archives that I could read again if I run out. My neighbor also likes to give me books she's read as she has no place to put them and I have a couple partially empty shelves. If I've just read something heavy, I will scroll through my "pending" books for something written by a "lighter" author.

My husband is an English teacher and has an extensive collection of his favorites. Since I've only read a fraction of them, I try to pick something out that we already have in our house.

I also balance lighter reads after I finish something heavy. I just finished In Search of Lost Time so now I'm reading Me Talk Pretty Some Day.

Goodreads definitely. I'll check out a book if it sounds interesting in the NY Times review or NPR review. If I hit a lull, I go back to the list of Newbery Medal winners. Yes, they are books for young readers but they are interesting reads and stress relievers for me. A bit nostalgic too since my first job was working as a page in the Children's Room at a branch of the New York Public Library.

I alternate between mentally challenging books and ones that lean more toward entertainment (for me, detective novels). I finish a book before I start another one, but I always have a poetry book going, too, that I dip into when I just have time to read a few pages.

I'm guilty of rereading books I like over and over and over and over.

I honestly can't recall a time I was ever *between books*....they always seem to find me. Kind of amazing when you consider I haven't set foot in the local library in 20+ yrs (their business hrs coincide with mine, sadly) nor have I ever read an e-book. Fortunately, our consignment shop has a huge book section carefully categorized by genre and a vast selection of both new releases & vintage finds. On the plus side, I often re-sell new releases for more than I paid for them. That's more $ for the vintage finds :)

Whenever I finish a book and that sense of mourning comes over me, it's not so much about finding another book as it is the motivation for reading another book. I feel stuck and think nothing can be as good as what I just finished (all 5 Game of Thrones books in 6 weeks, a 200-page a day addiction; anything of Hilary Mantel's), so I switch genres entirely and go read a graphic novel or non-fiction. David McCullough and Doris Kearns Goodwin know how to make history enrapturing. Then I can go back to the list of classics I still haven't read or Amazon's suggestions.

I use goodreads, word of mouth, NYT bestsellers lists, and explore other works by my favorite authors.

@SusaninToronto ~ I use Kobo, too, even though I'm in the US. I get ideas from the New York Times paperback list ~ if they review a book that's just coming out as a paperback after a year or so in hardcover, then it must have potential. I then check it out in Amazon, specifically the feature that for most books lets you read the first few pages.

I forgot to mention Persephone as a source although I sometimes download the books I want from Amazon if available instead of ordering the print book from the UK. Now that Borders is gone and Barnes & Noble will be down to one store in DC after the New Year, there will be no bookstores here!! There's something not right about that. Browsing on Amazon is just not the same thing.

I can't believe no one (that I noticed) mentioned BookBub! I just discovered it about a week ago and am already loving it. When you register, you share your reading preferences and BookBub sends you a daily email with e-reader deals based on their recommendations. Each email only has a few suggestions - anything that sounds interesting you can download or save for later. Many of the suggestions are limited time deals - free or seriously cheap - and I've found a few great books this way already.

Of course this only works if you use an e-reader. I'm typically a hardcopy book person but I travel a lot and love that I don't have to carry multiple books with me anymore since I'm usually reading 4 or 5 at a time.

Yes, it's Good Reads. I just line up my Want To Read List (obtained from reviews, word of mouth, blogs). When I finish a book I'll mark it as read and post it to my Facebook.

This is the best system yet and I always have something I'm excited about reading.

I am surprised Which Books isn't on the list. It is a fun way to choose books although I don't like the final recommendations, anyway. Goodreads is always a winner as well. NPR always has something awesome to read.

I recommend a new magazine review site: What Should I Read Next