What makes you like a book?

[fadedrose]

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Likeable characters, some laughs, a little mystery, interesting setting.

I have books that I re-read for those reasons. The Tales of the City collection comes to mind. It's like visiting old friends.

[Rick Myers]

2. I judge a book by it's cover...

OK, SORRY!!!

For fiction, I like when I read something and think "Wow, I wish I had written that!!!" Or some great left turn in a plot line...

[teddy51]

3. The story, and in many cases that means the author. As most, I have a certain

author that I like to read because I am familiar with there writing and I like it.

[Mac1949]

4. It's readability. It has to be easy flowing and a page-turner. NT

[demosincebirth]

5. One that doesn't drag on and on describing things that aren't relevant to the story

[Lint Head]

6. Books that surprise and entertain but also my communicate something I did not know.

Even fiction can teach.

[JDPriestly]

7. Interesting characters, a writing style that moves the story,

a puzzling plot. I like mysteries and books about history.

[northoftheborder]

8. I like stories that are complex, characters that are fully developed and...

.....believable but unique, some intrigue, and historical settings. I don't like simplistic formula books that repeat the same story over and over, just changing the names of the characters. I've read thousands of books of all kinds and qualities, and I believe that the ones I can remember, even many years ago, are really the best books. The rest are just candy fluff.

[doc03]

9. Well I am kind old and frayed around the edges like a book n/t

[applegrove]

10. Simple writing. Loveable characters. An interesting & novel setting.

[SheilaT]

11. I think the answers are going to always be highly

idiosyncratic. I have favorite authors who can do no wrong for me. I often find that highly praised books are incredibly disappointing. I love alternate history and time travel novels. I want a high degree of realism and get very impatient with lapses of logic. You really don't want to go to the movies with me because I almost always complain bitterly about plot flaws.

But overall, I want a story that grabs me, pulls me in, makes me believe in the characters and milieu portrayed. I will stick with an author I like. I often recommend books to others, and I've been known to grab total strangers in a bookstore and persuade them to purchase a book I think they'd like.

[raccoon]

12. I don't think I am much like a book. :silly: nt

[Little Star]

13. I like..

interesting characters, good story line and I especially like reading about settings/places/cultures that are new to me (sort of like traveling in my mind.)

Another thing I want is for the setting to be in the USA. I know that sounds silly to some, but there is so much of this country that I’ve never experienced, I’m just not ready to expand yet, even if it's only in my mind.


On a side note:
I shouldn’t even be posting here because I’m a bad girl.

I never even picked up a book in the whole month I was away and I honestly thought I’d read a lot. We went exploring almost every day and we had company for almost 2 weeks over Thanksgiving. Dang kids, there’s no escaping them, lol.

Besides, I’ve decided I’m a binge reader. I’m just like that. So I’m going to go easy on myself. I’ll get another reading binge whenever I get one!

[japple]

14. Most of the time, I like to read books that have such interesting

characters and such an imaginative story line that I am totally transported to that place/time. I was floundering around for something to read recently and finally thought it was time to read Lonesome Dove again. Now, every night, I am there in south Texas, hitting the trail to Montana with Gus and Captain Call, coping with the heat & mesquite, dust and cattle, beans and rattlesnakes. I am completely immersed in the story until I close the book for the night.

[Little Star]

15. That is exactally what I'm talking about! I travel in my mind :) n/t

[DUgosh]

16. The characters

[fadedrose]

17. A character, or characters...

has to be one that I like and care about, a few would be even better. When the characters talk between plot issues, I sometimes enjoy them more than the plot.

My favorite characters are mostly men, some women. Not particular about ages, occupations, locations - just give me a character who warms my heart, makes me smile, who isn't perfect, empathizes, jokes, forgives, etc., and sometimes even kills. Perfect would be having a dog friend.

[fadedrose]

18. Forgot - favorite character gets into a lot of fights...mostly wins..not always