I agree with many above who said they never buy a book after reading a review. Those occasional lines quoted in reviews, don’t really give an idea of the poet. I suppose it would be like only ever reading reviews of a new CD without ever hearing the music. I might get a poet’s work from Scottish Poetry LIbrary after reading a review, but then again, only buy, if I really liked the poems.

And no, I rarely buy a poetry book from a bookshop. The range is so limited and despite an attempt by Waterstones to include more than anthologies recently , their warehouse and distributor leaves black marks down the sides of the pages (the cut side when shut)and if I am choosing a favourite poet, or particurarly if buying one as a present I don’t want a copy spoilt by dirty marks. Waterstones please note.

I can’t remember often buying a book directly as a result of reading something in a review. I have it done once or twice, but it’s been a mixed experience – I find you can’t trust reviewers. But I think reading reviews has a more subtle, nonetheless vitally important, formative effect; somehow, it makes us put down markers, we develop a personal map of what’s out there. I make a mental note that some poet’s name is associated with something that interests me – a line, an image, an idea, something intriguing in their bio or even some hobby I happen to share. Later, when I see that name again, I’ll pay a little more attention, even if I can’t really remember why. Much, much later, if nothing occurs in the mean time to put me off, I might fall into fan-worship and buy every book they ever wrote…but many steps lie between.

Amazon recommends is a brilliant feature – the ‘people who bought this also bought’, though I will generally again try to find some of the poetry on the net to see if it’s any good before making the buy.

After readings – probably word of mouth (I guess the above could almost be construed as an example of this?) is the next biggest reason I buy poetry collections. I’ve bought a couple of books recently because friends have said ‘oh you just have to read so-and-so’. If I trust their judgment I’ll go out and buy the book.

As a writer, I am struck by the number of contributors who say that they buy books at readings, which I’ve rarely been able to attend, or give, until recently. Must try harder.

Perhaps we need a companion series on what stops us all buying poetry? In my case, it is the avalanches of deserving unread books from my so-called desk!