Play Book Tag discussion

I thought it might be fun to take a closer look at our reading personalities, so....

What drives your reading? Which elements are most important to you? The Plot, the Setting, the Characters, the Theme, the style/prose, tone, point of view, conflict?

Good question. I think there are 2 parts to it, deciding to read the book and then getting involved in it. Sometimes I choose a book just because I like the author. But otherwise, the plot summary/setting will attract me (or not - NO NAZIS!)

While reading, I really like some humor, even in a serious book. I like experimental methods of writing, playing around with timelines, points of view, etc. I like a book that has some uplifting element, even if the story is tragic overall. I call that a book with "heart". I don't care about scenes of battles or fighting (same thing in movies, I find fight scenes and car chases boring). I like certain settings, for instance England or France from about 1600-1900. I will read almost anything set in Paris (except with Nazis).

As far as style, I like some authors who I find poetic, such as Guy Gavriel Kay and Annie Proulx. But I didn't like several books widely celebrated for the language, like Beautiful Ruins and Where the Crawdads Sing. I can't really explain what is different about them.

Isn't that interesting, Robin? I am like you in that I will not read books about Nazis. Also, my friends IRL know that I don't like violent books and will often say, "This book is too violent for you." Likewise, I don't want to read about domestic abuse or rape.

I look for books with realistically drawn characters who are three dimensional. I also like books with humor in them.

I love original and creative ways of using language or dialogue in a book. That keeps me interested in reading.

Plot can't be ignored either. The book should have movement in it. Character focused books that have thin plots have not cut the mustard with me.

All of these ingredients are important. If I start a book and after giving it a chance, I find that it's a chore to read, I don't hesitate to DNF it.

I'm a pretty eclectic reader, tend to read a lot of different types and styles of books for many different reasons. It is also extremely rare for me to DNF a book and usually a DNF is a book I was distracted from or just was in the wrong mood, and put aside intending to return to it. Some of those end up DNF, but most do get read. I also much prefer fiction, with only a very occasional foray into non-fiction of any kind, and those usually biographies or memoirs. But I can say that certain elements pretty much guaranty I will pick up a book:

1. Favorite writer - this is particularly true of contemporary fiction, romances and mysteries.
2. Pretty much anything set in certain locales like France (especially Paris), Turkey, Egypt, and quite a few other places. Setting and geography are important to me. Love a book with a map, and I am known to pull out an Atlas or street guide or check google maps to look things up. One of my pet peeves about Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code is that he got the street geography around the Louvre wrong.
3. Humor - especially in mysteries and romances - if there is a cute kid or pet in there...all the better.
4. Puzzles - I'm definitely more the cozy mystery solve the puzzle and fun characters type mystery reader but by no means exclusively
5. Historical periods up to WWII. I'm not that interested in contemporary history, and the recent overload of WWII set fiction has absolutely burned me out of WWII.
6. Interesting and/or well-developed characters. I really don't have to like them at all. They can be evil, but they have to be fully realized.
7. Solid plot - it can be quiet, with little action (thinking of The Remains of the Day), but it has to hang together in some sequential way.
8. adventure, heists, thrillers, espionage - have to have great action and drama and set pieces. Bring on the violence and bloodshed and warfare, so long as it makes sense to the plot and is not just 'there'. Heists and capers have to be clever and twisty and fun like a carnival ride.
9. Romance - for the most part, they can leave most of it to my very busy imagination although a well-written steamy hot sex scene is a fine thing too. Unfortunately, most are anything but and I just skim over them.
10. Good writing - it doesn't always have to be beautifully written but the writing has to meet a certain minimum standard. I've read Booker winners whose books IMO were so poorly written they should never have been published.
11. True Crime if it is not about murder or mutiliation or other similar violence.

What can sell me on a book I might not otherwise gravitate to reading: beautiful writing. It can be experimental or classic or whatever, but if I feel a sense of joy from the writing itself, it can be about just about anything.

What I am not prone to read or enjoy:

Books where a child being imperiled in some way is the core story, such as child kidnapping plots. I basically don't read anything where the plot is all about a child's endangerment in any way.

Books heavy on politics, political drama, philosophy or science and medicine or psychological -- which is why psychological mysteries are not often part of my reading, nor is science fiction.

World building that I can't relate to an historical period, or plots filled with magic, paranormal, vampires, etc. - which is why fantasy is not a good fit for me. Just don't find them engrossing.

In crime fiction, I also avoid serial killer themes, police procedurals. and ones heavy on forensic science.

Of course, there are always exceptions....

I used to say, "the story is the thing" and while I think that the story is important as a woman of a certain age my priorities and tastes have changed over the years.

I have come to really appreciate an author for their style as well as their story . I do love the kind of homespun style like Mary Doria Russell in Doc and Paulette Jiles in News of the World. I will never pass up a book with that style.

I also appreciate settings in various eras.

I am not put off by violence, but no longer read books in which I suspect it is gratuitous.

I am also drawn to certain settings and unlike Holly and Robin, WWII and the Nazis don't put me off. I like to vicariously travel the world through books, so diverse settings attract me. I hope to learn a little something as I read.

Theresa wrote: "I'm a pretty eclectic reader, tend to read a lot of different types and styles of books for many different reasons. It is also extremely rare for me to DNF a book and usually a DNF is a book I was ..."

Theresa, I must have been writing when you wrote it because I missed this completely.

I am hoping to get other answers, because I thought we could have fun with a series of focus on reading questions.

NP, BnB!

I also avoid books where central theme is the burden of coping with either some mental, physical disability or chronic/terminal medical condition. Too much of that has been or at present is a part of my daily life that I don't find it something I want to read about. I also don't read too many contemporary courtroom or legal dramas -- I find myself screaming at the book about every little error. 🤣 I don't think that is unusual in lawyers.

Characters are very important to me. If I do not connect to at least one of the characters by the 4th or 5th chapter it is normally a DNF for me.

WWII is also an option for me. Never get bored or worn out reading about it. I am constantly searching for books during that period that took place in other locales besides Central Europe. I have found some great books Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission,The Storm on Our Shores: One Island, Two Soldiers, and the Forgotten Battle of World War II,are two great examples.

There are a few authors whose writing I like so much that I will read anything they writeGuy Gavriel Kay, Rick Atkinson to name a couple.

Epic Fantasy, Historical Fiction and Non-Fiction are my go to genres. I avoid Romance and Urban Fantasy.

Characters and plot are important for me. If I can't connect with the character I might give up on the book or it will be a long road. I don't enjoy black and white characters, please let them have some depth.

Plots have to be plausible - I hate terribly contrived plots, which I usually find very corny, and I hate corny.

The books I like best also connect with me emotionally. This is especially essential for romances, because I will very easily dump a bad romance (unless I need it for a challenge LOL - then I resort to skimming).

annapi wrote: "Characters and plot are important for me. If I can't connect with the character I might give up on the book or it will be a long road. I don't enjoy black and white characters, please let them have..."

I also find emotional connection very important.

Wow. What a great question. I love nothing better than thinking and talking about books and book choices. First s book has to draw me in. Usually that involves a good stor y and complex dynamic characters and relationships. Of course thd writing has to be high quality. If I find a writer I like k will read everything he or she has written. Currently I’m reading Richard Russo

Sallys wrote: "Wow. What a great question. I love nothing better than thinking and talking about books and book choices. First s book has to draw me in. Usually that involves a good stor y and complex dynamic cha..."

I also try to read everything an author I like has written. I am not always successful. Your example of Richard Russo is an example. I read one of his books years ago and thought that I needed to read more of his books and while I have put several on my tbr, I have yet to actually read them. Mary Doria Russell and Robert Hellenga are two I have managed to read all they have written.

I will definitely return to favorite authors over and over.

I love good writing. Plot and action are good, but I have to like the characters, or at least some of the characters.

I read a wide variety - memoirs, true crime, modern literature, classic literature, short stories (which I've learned I love!).

I also have my junk food comfort reading - romances, paranormal/urban fantasy. Those are often series so I'm usually reading the same authors over time. And for those books, a really hot cover pic will really sway me.

This is a tough question because I feel like there are always exceptions to any of my "rules."

I will basically read anything. I prefer book club books and buddy reads because I love discussing what I've read. But I usually have at least 1 book a month that I read on my own if I get super pumped about something, like an author I love or something that caught my eye, like The Final Girl Support Group earlier this month.

I tend to love books that are propulsive. Not necessarily a thriller but some thread in the book that keeps pulling me through. When there isn't that thread I tend to struggle no matter how great the writing or characters. A good example is I absolutely loved Deacon King Kong, but was 'meh on Transcendent Kingdom. I think maybe because Deacon King Kong had an interesting little mystery at the center of all these colorful characters, but Transcendent Kingdom didn't. You knew early on in Transcendent Kingdom the outcome of a pivotal side character and I lost interest. I pick these examples because they are both literary fiction that I could think of off the top of my head that I was opposite reaction on.

I'm a big mood reader so my mood can really impact my enjoyment of a book. Sometimes I love a predictable romance and other times my cynicism wins out and I just scoff at it throughout.

I struggle with complicated fantasy novels where the entire universe and characters are made up and far removed from my own reality.

I LOVE books that deal with difficult subject matter that make me uncomfortable which is probably why I am drawn to horror.

I just recently started DNFing books which has done wonders for my reading momentum, but like Theresa it is usually a "me not them" issue and I plan to get back to it someday.

I almost always avoid self-help, celebrity memoir, and business related books.

Joanne wrote: "WWII is also an option for me. Never get bored or worn out reading about it. I am constantly searching for books during that period that took place in other locales besides Central Europe. I have found some great books Ghost Soldiers: The Epic A...."

If you liked GHOST SOLDIERS you might also like:
The Airmen and the Headhunters: A True Story of Lost Soldiers, Heroic Tribesmen and the Unlikeliest Rescue of World War II and In the Company of Angels (this is about nurses who were captured by the Japanese)

As for fiction
The Gift of Rain is set in Malaysia.

Well, I'll read just about anything with words. My passion is literary fiction .. I like something I can "chew on" think about, discuss, consider from a different angle, discuss again.

I'm fine with character-driven novels when the writing shows me these people and I can relate to them. A recent good example: Leonard and Hungry Paul

But I also like a great story that pulls me along. It might be a thriller, or it might just be a story like The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion. That's probably one reason why I love Stephen King ... he definitely keeps me turning pages!

Book Concierge wrote: "Joanne wrote: "WWII is also an option for me. Never get bored or worn out reading about it. I am constantly searching for books during that period that took place in other locales besides Central E..."

Those all look like great choices, thanks!

Theresa wrote: "I'm a pretty eclectic reader, tend to read a lot of different types and styles of books for many different reasons.."

This line is almost verbatim to how I was going to open, although obviously not everything else is all the same ;).

What I would write about why I would or wouldn't pick up a book varies with how I am feeling at the time I am writing it, but basically I read books for a variety of reasons. However, since joining the online book community, I often will read things I wouldn't pick up otherwise, and some years will get slanted certain ways. I have read many more mysteries this year than usual due to two different mystery challenges; once those wrap up, they will probably simmer back down.

I am always pleased if I find that I like a book at 4 stars or more, but there are some types of books where I'll thoroughly enjoy a series of 3 star reads.

There are times, though, when I will love a novel so much that I don't dare read another by the same author in case I am disappointed. I heard less than stellar reviews about the second book by David Guterson that I have only ever read Snow Falling on Cedars--I liked it so much I have bought a copy. It flummoxes me that it has less than a 4 star average rating on GR, but such is the way with books. I can't for the life of me understand why there aren't more people who love the writing, etc, the way I do in that book, but of course that happens at times as well. Perhaps most of his ardent fans have never joined GR.

Meli wrote: "This is a tough question because I feel like there are always exceptions to any of my "rules."

I will basically read anything. I prefer book club books and buddy reads because I love discussing w..."

I like what you said about having something that moves the plot. It doesn't have to be action-packed but I have been so annoyed in the past year or so by literary fiction that removes all suspense by telling you up front that someone died or the marriage broke up or whatever, and then you have to read all the misery that led up to it. At least if it were told chronologically, you could wonder what would happen.

I liked Snow Falling on Cedars a lot too, Karin. It has mystery, romance, history, social issues all blended well together.

The genres I don't care for are horror, thriller (such as with serial killers, stalkers, torture), and true crime. Too many terrible things in the news already. I don't care for paranormal - werewolves, zombies, etc. I'm not a fan of short stories or essays because it seems like there's not enough "meat" to them. And for someone who studied tons of literature, it's surprising that I don't really like poetry. I can appreciate a specific poem that fits a specific moment but I can't imagine sitting down with a whole book of poems. They are too abstract.

@Robin - no volumes of poetry for me! I do have some, and I occasionally graze a poem or two. Not often.

I do read essay and short story collections both serious and fluffy. I find them good when I am in recovery from a powerful read, or fidgety, or stressec and unable to sink into a longer story.

@Sue - I can absolutely be seduced by a cover! Definitely in romances but also any genre. The Night Circus is an example. Had not a clue what the book was, just picked it up as I passed tbe display table on way to cashier because I adored the cover. Did totally love it when I read it years later.

@Joanne - if you have not read you must. Historical fiction but based on actual people and events - how turks saved Jews in WWII, taking a train full across Nazi Europe from Paris to Istanbul. Much revealed about Turkey and why it remained "neutral". Allegedly.

@Theresa, onto my Tbr it goes-thanks

Robin P wrote: "...but I have been so annoyed in the past year or so by literary fiction that removes all suspense by telling you up front that someone died or the marriage broke up or whatever, and then you have to read all the misery that led up to it. At least if it were told chronologically, you could wonder what would happen."

Yes, exactly! I don't need a lot of action or suspense but I recognized lately that books I am not enjoying have nothing to keep pulling me back in.

Sounds like we are on the same page with literary fiction but opposite in other genres. I love horror, thrillers, and true crime! :)

What drives your reading? Which elements are most important to you? The Plot, the Setting, the Characters, the Theme, the style/prose, tone, point of view, conflict

For me, the characters, setting, theme, and prose style are most important. I love literary fiction and, unlike some of you, I tend to enjoy novels with very little plot. I like novels that make a point or make you think. I also like books that contain literary references or mental puzzles.

I often read literary award nominees or winners.

The writing style is so important. I go back regularly to authors who use language well. I enjoy picturing scenes in my mind. Some authors excel at this and I tend to read many of their books.

I enjoy historical fiction as long as the history is accurate (and the history in not just an excuse for romance).

I enjoy non-fiction, especially those about exploration, science, history, and the arts.

I do not read romances and really kind of hate them.

I do not like thrillers, especially those about serial killers or plots advertised as having "lots of twists and turns."

I think my hobby is reading and that's why I love reading. I think the elements that are most important to me are the plot, the theme, and the point of view. I always read and enjoy Middle-grade books because it seems nice to me. I also like fiction and fantasy books and I often read non-fiction books. I do not read romances because it seems gross to me😂😂😂I don't like thrillers because it seems boring to me😂😂😂

Patricia wrote: "I think my hobby is reading and that's why I love reading. I think the elements that are most important to me are the plot, the theme, and the point of view. I always read and enjoy Middle-grade bo..."

I'm happy to see that reading is an important part of your life.