For the past 7+ years we’ve held online chats on Tuesday nights to introduce readers to writers and their books. These have been great opportunities for all involved, but sometimes our members had time conflicts. So, with the new site, we’re expandng to ALL DAY/NIGHT chats, right here via the blog.
Every Tuesday, we will be hosting book talks, discussions, or chats for readers and writers, so be sure to mark your calendars and plan to stop through weekly.Â
Today’s topic is WHAT READERS WANT. As a reader, what do you look for in a book? What are you tired of seeing? What’s not done enough? Sequel or not?Â
Let’s hear from ya!
I look for well developed, well edited, interesting books from just about any genre. I love well developed stories with characters that pull me into the novel. Lately, I have been searching out books that have original plot lines rather than just redoing what we have seen time and time again.
On sequels-I don’t mind them most of the time, especially when I want to know more about what happened to the characters after the first book ended. However, taking too long for a sequel and then only half developing it when you could have completed the story in one novel is annoying.
Ditto, ditto! You touched on one of my reasons for not “really” liking sequels — the long wait. The other biggie for me is cliffhangers. OMG, don’t leave me to guess what happens at the end. End the book…
-Tee
I’m tired of the boiler plate books. Same framework, just different name, place and drama. Authors aren’t writing anything different, things off the beaten path.
I want to read books that challenge me to think differently, even if I am discussing issues of love. I want something that goes beyond what everyone else is talking about and introduces me to things that blow me away.
Let’s talk about all aspects of life in books. Love is only one dimension of who we are. We are limitless in our dimensions. What excites me are books that explore these dimensions, not only within our psyche, but in the greater world and cosmos. I want to see books, basically, exploring possibility. Not merely the same old thing repeated over and over again. We have so much imagination as humans, yet we do not explore that imagination.
As for sequels, I’m all for them, IF they make sense. A sequel should dig deeper, expounding on things, or taking us deeper into the life of the story. If a sequel is done merely to say an author wrote one, then they should keep it. Sequels aren’t something to just do. They should be a response to a reader’s desire to continue to be a part of the world in that book.
Amen, Amen, Amen! I so love when I find a book that’s unlike others I’ve read, that push the envelope and like you said, highlight some of the other aspects of life and living.
You need to get to writing, Pittershawn!
-Tee
Being a reader of mainly African American romance and fiction, I want to read books with characters and plots that will make me not want to put the book down until I have finished and can’t wait to tell others about it, create characters that will make you think about them long after you’ve stopped reading and make it a point to consider their grammar useage and spelling. when writing.
I’m tired of seeing authors that won’t take the time to promote their books to readers, but gripe about book sales, where their books are placed in stores, and other authors and genres, as if this is the reason their books aren’t selling.
I like sequels if the authors doen’t take too long. When you have to try to remember the plot or characters after a two years or more, it’s not much need in doing a sequel. Surely one has in mind if more is going to happen, if not, just add a few more pages to the first novel and stop.
I love books that take me there and involve me if it is fiction, or introduce me to something new if it is non-fiction…I love narrative driven books that explode with backstories and scenery…I love sequels if the characters are engaging and I want to know what is going on with them…I have become a bit burned out on contemporary fiction…there is a certain sameness…
Blessings!
angelia
As a reader I want a book that is so fulfilling that I don’t want to put it down. I want to relate to the characters as though I know them. I want to remember the story long after I finished reading the book. What I do not want is to be on page 5 or 10 and asking myself didn’t I already read this?
I do not mind sequels as long as they serve a point. I need to be vested in the characters to care what they are doing now. The first book has to leave me wanting more. if I put the first book down and sigh, I am not buying the sequel.
I love books where the characters pull me into the story. I like characters who evoke emotion from me and it doesn’t necessarily have to be all good emotions. I also love plots that are believable as well as daring (out of the ordinary). I like books that engage me and challenge me at the same time. Order is a must. I hate books that jump all over the place and have no order to the sequence of events.
On sequels, I love them, if they take the series to a whole new level. If I don’t learn something new or experience anything new in a sequel, I will lose interest in it.
I love to look over books I’ve read and be able to see the growth and/or change in the author. This sometimes provide a very real incentive to continue reading.
It goes without saying, that well-written, well-edited books are a must. This can break a book even if the story is good.
Brenda
I want a book to pull me in and make me a part of it. To take of my inner thoughts and emotions and take me along for the ride. When I read a book, I want to feel as if I’ve never read it before. So many books I’ve read have the same storyline, sometimes the same book cover, just different characters and titles. I want to read a book that has a nice rhythmic flow to it. If a book is choppy, I quickly lose interest.
As far as sequels, I love reading them, as long as they’re not written ions after the first book and they must be powerful than the first.
I agree with the things mentioned above and thank you all for sharing your thoughts. To add to the list, I really don’t care for stories with unnecessary drama, sex or violence. If it serves a purpose to the story, cool. Otherwise, leave it out. I also like to feel the emotion of a story, the author’s voice, and to close the book without asking myself the dreaded “and, that’s it?†or “and, who cares.â€
I’m also tired of seeing books with silly women (the 3 girlfriends and they’re all career-smart, but man-dumb), Christian Fiction books which are preachy and give scriptures every 2.3 paragraphs, and books with no or flawed characterization, poor editing, and/or fairytale endings wrapped all tightly with a bow. I also hate when the author has to email you to tell you what they meant and/or what they were trying to do with the story, just because a reader didn’t like it. Ummm, if you have to explain to the reader, you probably missed the mark with the book.
Sequels, I don’t care for because I don’t like to wait. But, I do like knowing upfront if it’s a series. This way, I’ll wait until at least two books are out to start reading. I dig prequels though. LOL. I know that sounds odd, but I do. Anything after a sequel? It depends on the story/genre.
My biggies would have to be voice and emotion. I want to feel something for the characters & their situations when I read. I also like humor thrown in. Not over the top, but just enough to pick you up, even when you’re reading a pretty heavy topic. I also like to learn something from what I read and/or get the message of the story. I don’t simply read for entertainment.
Okay, all done. (Though I could probably go on and on.)
-Tee
ROFL…’man-dumb”, too funny.
Brenda