Hi there, everyone. Thanks for having me as a guest blogger. It’s great to be here! And I’m eager to talk about readers’ tastes in books, because it’s sometimes baffling when you love a book (or hate it), and you go to Amazon or other review sites, and find readers who strongly disagree with you. Some people will love it, say it’s the best book they ever read, while others will despise it so much, they call it a waste of time, or worse. There can be some very passionate responses in both directions.
Why is this? I’ve certainly bought a book based on fantastic reviews, then read it myself and felt completely bored. Is it simply the mood we’re in? When I read, I love to get into what I call the “bubble,” which is that glorious mind space where you forget to look at the clock or eat or answer your husband’s call, because you’re so into the story, you’ve forgotten about your real life. For me, that’s what a book has to do to make me love it. And a lot of that has to do with the author’s voice. There might be very little happening in the first two pages, but there’s something almost hypnotic about the flow of words, and boom, just like that, I’m in.
Other stories can start out with a wildly gripping event that should knock my socks off, but for some reason I’m bored and can’t get into it. Again, it could be the mood I’m in, or is it just an indefinable magic? And maybe the magic works on me, but not on someone else.
The same thing can happen with editors. My first book with Avon, TO MARRY THE DUKE, was rejected by my previous editor at Harlequin. It just didn’t work for her, but I believed in it and so did my agent, so we shopped it around, and other editors in other places loved it. So the subjectivity exists everywhere, even before the book makes its way into readers’ hands. So as writers, we have to believe that we will find the readers who will love us, and write for them, and forget about the rest. Aspiring authors have to believe that just because one editor rejected their story, doesn’t mean there’s no hope.
So tell me, what moves you to love or hate a book? Or can you even put your finger on it? Editors say that all the time - that they can’t tell you exactly what it is that grabs them, but they know it when they see it. Maybe it is just magic after all.
At the end of the day today Julianne will be giving away one autographed copy of "The Mistress Diaries" to one lucky winner chosen from those who leave a comment. Don't forget to leave a way to get in touch with you.
Why is this? I’ve certainly bought a book based on fantastic reviews, then read it myself and felt completely bored. Is it simply the mood we’re in? When I read, I love to get into what I call the “bubble,” which is that glorious mind space where you forget to look at the clock or eat or answer your husband’s call, because you’re so into the story, you’ve forgotten about your real life. For me, that’s what a book has to do to make me love it. And a lot of that has to do with the author’s voice. There might be very little happening in the first two pages, but there’s something almost hypnotic about the flow of words, and boom, just like that, I’m in.
Other stories can start out with a wildly gripping event that should knock my socks off, but for some reason I’m bored and can’t get into it. Again, it could be the mood I’m in, or is it just an indefinable magic? And maybe the magic works on me, but not on someone else.
The same thing can happen with editors. My first book with Avon, TO MARRY THE DUKE, was rejected by my previous editor at Harlequin. It just didn’t work for her, but I believed in it and so did my agent, so we shopped it around, and other editors in other places loved it. So the subjectivity exists everywhere, even before the book makes its way into readers’ hands. So as writers, we have to believe that we will find the readers who will love us, and write for them, and forget about the rest. Aspiring authors have to believe that just because one editor rejected their story, doesn’t mean there’s no hope.
So tell me, what moves you to love or hate a book? Or can you even put your finger on it? Editors say that all the time - that they can’t tell you exactly what it is that grabs them, but they know it when they see it. Maybe it is just magic after all.
At the end of the day today Julianne will be giving away one autographed copy of "The Mistress Diaries" to one lucky winner chosen from those who leave a comment. Don't forget to leave a way to get in touch with you.
16 comments:
Hi Julianne,
Interesting topic. While I do read reviews, I've learned not to let them influence me too much, as I often disagree with the reviewer. When I absolutely love a book, I'm then amazed if I read reviews afterwards that are negative. And I've found that my own tastes have changed over the years. I recently reread a book I had enjoyed many years ago, the first of a series, but the second time around I loved it ten times more than I remembered the first time and promptly read the rest of the series one after the other. Why did I love the book so much more the second time than the first? This is a good reason though to pick up authors you've never read before, because you just never know if you'll discover a treasure.
Hi Julianne,
I check out books based on recommendations from others on the boards. Some I like after reading excerpts, some I don't & I don't purchase. I trust my gut as there are not a whole lot I've been disappointed with lately. However, the couple that I have been disappointed with were ones I bought b/c I read the series & buy everything for that author. But it is a personal disappointment as I expected better.
Thank you so much,
Susan
sbussey AT windstream.net
I suppose you have to find a reviewer who likes what you do.
For authors I'm unfamiliar with, I generally read the blurb. If it sounds like something I might like, I reserve the book at the library. That way if I don't like it, back it goes.
Unfortunately, this method doesn't work with e-books. But with e-books, the authors generally post the first chapter, or if you're really lucky, they have free reads where you can see how they write.
And while I do like some best-selling authors, many of the ones I like are not favored by the big NY houses, which is a shame. I've found that if I really like someone, there are lots of people out there who agree with me. But these "lots of people" may not be enough for the bean counters' numbers.
Linda
linda@lindabanche.com
When I am choosing a book, I do read reviews and comments/recommendations from readers on Amazon, B&N, and book blogs. I also read blurbs on the back of books and excerpts that are posted online. I buy books that are by authors I have read before, but I am always open to new authors, too. I have discovered a lot of wonderful new authors by visiting blogs. Ultimately, I go with my own instincts. I read what interests me or touches my heart in some way.
castings[at]mindspring[dot]com
Hi Everyone and Welcome Julianne,
Boy what a great topic. I do so agree with all of you on one point or another.
As a reviewer myself I try and find the good points of the story and also look at the author's writing. Is it smooth or choppy. Is it repetitative for three or more chapters about previous books(which drives me nuts) or does it just give you little references and notes to jog the memory while going on with the current installment.
Another thing, when I read a book for review I will read it from page one to the end even if it's the biggest stinker in the world. Why you ask, because I have made a commitment to give an honest and total review of someone's work. I don't bash and am very seldom negative. Just cause I may like or dislike a novel doesn't mean the entire world is going to totally agree with my opinions. We all have our own likes and dislikes, that's why we're all unique.
Oh and ratings systems like Amazon's, well let's just say, "Don't Get Me Started"!
huggs,
Terra
My biggest turn off to a book is characters that are not well developed. I hate when they are bland and do not have a lot of history. Another is a lack of a really good story line. It must have depth and not just sex.
angelleslament @ gmail.com
I buy books mostly by recommendations from friends and family.
I don't pay much attention to reviews. Not every one likes every book--so to each their own opinion.
kissinoak@verizon.net
As long as the book keeps me into it, that's what makes me enjoy it more. There have been books that have just not kept my interest, sometimes, no reason, something just not there.
Good characters, plot and setting are a must. That's what draws me in.
I don't usually pay attention to reviews, since everyone has different tastes. I'll pick a book because of it's blurb or excerpt and even then sometimes I can't get through the book.
Lisa
jordan_lisa @hotmail.com
The writing and the first few pages of the book usually has to draw me in. Usually if the first chapter isn't that interesting, the rest of the book won't do it for me.
bunnybx at gmail . com
Generally I feel the complete opposite of reviews on books and movies. I tend to adore and gush over books that people just did not like.
Sometimes I can be pretty easy, but sometimes I really believe the way a book affects me deals with the current mood and mind-frame I'm in.
I have a couple of friends who know my tastes and likes, so if they tell me to "try" this author, I'll do it. Or they'll loan me their book and say YOU MUST READ THIS! I've found many authors I like that way.
Raonaid (at ) gmail.com
I've read several books that were supposed to be "it" based on what everyone said, reveiws and what have you and found them difficult to finish. On the other hand, I've read lesser known books that were amazing and got poor reviews, but I loved them. Also, I believe that mood does have a lot to do with it. I hate to quit on a book and rarely have. I continue on, hoping it will get better and most of the time it does.
Deidre
deidre_durance@hotmail.com
I usually don't go by reviews, usually if i read a back cover or excerpt fromthe book and it interests me this helps me to pick up the book!
Hey everyone - great comments. It's always interesting to hear what others like in a good book, and I think in the end, we all just want to be moved and inspired.
Just this morning I was surfing around looking at responses to a new book, Broken Wing, by debut author, Judith James, which I read in manuscript form over a year ago and gave a quote on. People seem to be loving it the same way I did, because it truly does sweep you away, even while it breaks all the traditional "rules" of the romance genre. I loved it so much I missed half of a conference I'd gone to, because I was spending way too much time in my room flipping those pages. It'll be very interesting to see how the rest of the world responds to it as more reviews pop up over the coming months.
So I'm picking a commenter now to win a copy of my latest book, THE MISTRESS DIARIES. Totally randome - picking a number out of a basket..... Drum roll - It's Raonaid! Congrats, and I'll email you shortly!
Hey everyone - great comments. It's always interesting to hear what others like in a good book, and I think in the end, we all just want to be moved and inspired.
Just this morning I was surfing around looking at responses to a new book, Broken Wing, by debut author, Judith James, which I read in manuscript form over a year ago and gave a quote on. People seem to be loving it the same way I did, because it truly does sweep you away, even while it breaks all the traditional "rules" of the romance genre. I loved it so much I missed half of a conference I'd gone to, because I was spending way too much time in my room flipping those pages. It'll be very interesting to see how the rest of the world responds to it as more reviews pop up over the coming months.
So I'm picking a commenter now to win a copy of my latest book, THE MISTRESS DIARIES. Totally randome - picking a number out of a basket..... Drum roll - It's Raonaid! Congrats, and I'll email you shortly!
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