Feature Follow & Book Blogger Hop

In an effort to meet more bloggers I am participating in two Friday hops this week.

The first is the Feature Follow hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee. On Fridays each blog hosts a Linky and features a different blog, chosen at random from past participants. Current participants are required to visit and follow the featured blog. There is also a topic for a short post. This week it is, "Do you have any memes or challenges you host that you would like more people to visit?"
I don't have any memes or challenges that I have created, but I am thinking about reviving one in which I participated for many years. Vintage Thingies Thursday was started by Lisa, the Apron Queen and moved to ColoradoLady in 2008 when Lisa stopped blogging. I always enjoyed seeing pictures of vintage jewelry, appliances, furniture people were restoring, etc. and sharing all the old, interesting things I have that have been passed down through my family. Even if it's not your cup of tea, do you think there are bloggers who would be interested?


The second meme is the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. Again, the purpose is to meet other book bloggers and there is a writing prompt. This week it's, "What is most important to you when deciding to read a book?"
Not counting favorite authors that I read every time they have a new book out, I usually hear about books on GoodReads, blogs, or from my local librarians. Once in a while my mom will hear about one, but usually it's me passing on ideas to her. I often am attracted to a book by its cover, but that won't make me read it. I'll still read the blurb and maybe a couple of reviews. Finally, I have to know how to get the book. I always go to the library website for "real" books to put on hold first, then I see if they have it as an ebook. My library belongs to a huge network of towns for inter-library loans, so  I am rarely disappointed. If they don't have it, I'll buy it from Barnes & Noble with my over $200.00 in gift cards and read it on the Nook app for iPad. So far I've never been forced to buy a real book that I didn't want to purchase. What is your first go-to method to pick a book?