It’s time to muse! Let’s join Jenn, at A Daily Rhythm, to share our thoughts. Here are some prompts:
- I’m currently reading…
- Up next I think I’ll read…
- I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
- I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
- I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
- I can’t wait to get a copy of…
- I wish I could read ___, but…
- I blogged about ____ this past week…
THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What makes a book really enjoyable for you? And, conversely, what would turn you off about a book?
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The random question appeals to me today, especially since I read three amazing books this past week, and they were different from one another. So what is the commonality that made them so appealing?
Here are the books: click the titles to read my reviews:
Review: The Admissions (e-book), by Meg Mitchell Moore
Review: Truth Be Told (e-book), by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Review: Snow Angel Cove (e-book), by RaeAnne Thayne
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The first book was engaging because the characters felt so real, and their issues resonated with me…it was a family story.
The second book kept me engaged because it was a mystery, but it also had really relatable characters.
In the third story, I was caught up in the romance and the holiday spirit.
So…there is no one theme that engages me. And sometimes it is the writer’s style…but mostly, the characters draw me in.
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What about you? What engages you in a story?
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RAINY DAYS AND MONDAYS 
I love reading books where I believe in the characters, I don’t have to like them, more recognise them if that makes sense?
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That makes complete sense, Cleopatra…the characters have to feel real. Thanks for stopping by.
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I agree, I can’t pinpoint one thing in particular that draws me in with a book. It could be the characters, the setting, the plot or the mystery. At all boils down to how well the story is executed and if I am interested in at least one part of the story.
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Sounds good, Heidi, and I agree! All of those elements are important. Thanks for stopping by.
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I liked Snow Angel Cove too. I like sweet stories with nice themes
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Yes, it was definitely a sweet book that left me smiling, Jo. Thanks for stopping by.
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Usually the story draws me in.
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Definitely! Story is also important for me, too, Breana.
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Yay on reading some good books. It’s always a gamble when trying out new authors. I like it when the plot has to be believable and the characters are strong but human. There has to be interesting aspects that may teach me something or relate to something that’s happened in my life.
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All great aspects to favorite books, Stefanie. Thanks for stopping by.
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I have to admit characters draw me in too. Has to be a good plot as well, and well written of course. Has to affect my heart and then I am won over!
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Oh, yes, a good plot is up there as well…along with characters. Thanks for visiting, Kathryn.
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I am definitely a character-driven reader. I can live through a plot with a few holes in it if I love the characters, but not the other way around.
I want to read Snow Angel Cove. My list just keeps growing and growing.
Thanks for visiting The Book Connection.
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Definitely! I do love characters, even the unlikeable ones, if they seem like real people. Thanks for stopping by, Cheryl.
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I think it’s story but without good characters, engaging dialogue etc a good story on it’s own wouldn’t be good enough. This is a tricky question, isn’t it? I haven’t read any of the books you’ve mentioned but the mystery looks appealing.
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Yes, I think we can all agree that there are many necessary ingredients, some more engaging than others for each of us, but together they form the stories we love. Thanks, Cathy.
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Love interesting characters but if they are annoying…evil? Even better!
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Yes, even the evil characters make a story more engaging, Patty….maybe they do the things we wish we could do? LOL
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I agree, it’s the characters for me. I can deal with less on the world building or some sloppy pacing, but if I can’t connect with the characters, then it’s a no-go for me.
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Thanks, Laura, we do need the characters…everything else could be “just desserts.”
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For me it is that magical moment when I slip completely into a book and the outside world slips away
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Oh, yes, I love that feeling, Kimberly, and sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint what exactly made it happen. Thanks for stopping by.
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