Jul 19, 2010

What’s in a good book?


deviantArt pic by happybubbles


I wrote down the things that I look for in a riveting, spell-binding, one-sitter book--books that are so captivating that you forget everything you had to do that day just to get to that last page. I made my own personal list of the things I look for in a good book. I also want to know what YOU look for in a good book, so feel free to voice your thoughts.


1. Engaging characters:


I don’t want to read a book about your everyday average person in there everyday average life. I want characters that go through conflict and hardships and show us through their actions what type of person they are. I also want characters that I can be emotionally attached to. If the protagonist gets into a bad car-accident and ends up in a hospital with a broken leg I should be able to feel sorry for her.


2. Action


There’s nothing like a good fighting-scene. Especially of the non-human variety. The details in a fight scene really pull me into a story.

3. Interesting premise:

I want to be able to get excited by a book just by reading the blurb on the back. The premise should captivate me, and I should get a feel for what the book is going to be about.


4. Good writing:

A book could be really interesting, but when there are mistakes everywhere it becomes a distraction and takes away from the story.


5. Characters with a weakness:


Perfect characters with nothing wrong with them are just not believable to me. They should at least have one weakness that humanizes them.


6. Something unique:


What makes this book different/ unique from all the others from its genre? Originality is a very important factor when I read a book; otherwise I feel like I’m just reading the same book over again.


7. Broken stereotypes:


I like things to be mixed up a bit. I don’t want to expect what’s going to happen, I want to be surprised. I like it when one of the bad guys is actually good, and one of the good guys is actually bad. So what do YOU look for in a good book?



**Please vote on the poll on the side of this post.




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4 comments:

  1. If the poll isn't working you could put your answer here instead.

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  2. I think good writing trumps all :)

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  3. I especially look for #1, #3, #4, #5... umm... I think you got it all covered! Good stuff, E.~ :o)

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  4. @ Angela- True, when you really get to it good writing is the source of all the other categories. :)

    @ LTM- Thanks. I think i'm still missing something though...hmm


    Note: I think the poll is working now :)

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