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RisikaFox
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#7151
Old 10-16-2009, 09:35 AM

So, I was bored at work yesterday, and got to thinking about how everybody likes different kinds of books. It made me wonder: What makes people like a book?

I personally like books that are capable of both making you cry and laugh out loud. Good books contain characters that are very human, very 'real' in a sense I suppose. And a good book makes you want to keep reading it, even after you've put it down.

So now I want to know, what do you think makes a book good?

Dream_and_Die
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#7152
Old 10-16-2009, 03:01 PM

I like books that take me somewhere else - hence why I prefer fantasy or historical - and characters that are strong. I don't like books with wishy-washy characters as much.

For me there's two things that make a book 'good.' Literally getting lost in the book and not being able to put it down.

Iltu
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#7153
Old 10-16-2009, 07:18 PM

I like going to other worlds and being amazed by them. I love books that make me fall in love with the characters (not in an "OMG I WOULD SO HAVE HIS BABIES" sense, but just feeling really attached to that character) and make me feel for their plights. The kind of books where you cannot put it down, but you're so sad to finish it!

So combining the two, books that I totally loose myself in and get emotional responses from. The books where I'm turning the pages so hard it's a wonder they don't rip, the ones that have me gasping, crying, cracking up, cheering, screaming at/encouraging the characters, nervous and looking over my shoulder, adding my own thoughts to the conversation in the book before I'm realizing I'm douing it... basically, the books I can just get really caught up in. :) ...I sound like such a weirdo right now. XD

Sunlit.rains
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#7154
Old 10-16-2009, 08:18 PM

Iltu: you totally do not sound like a weirdo. :P

Basically for me there's several components. First I have to like the author's writing style. I love stuff that is beautifully or cleverly worded. I like strong real characters, ones that you can relate to in some way. By the end of the book I want to feel as if I've known these characters in some way shape or form. Another big thing is I want something new. Even if it's a familiar story line or familiar characters the author has to add something fresh to it, give me a new perspective. (think of the book Wicked perhaps) Last of all, I like to be surprised. Sure it's fun to try to predict stuff and then turn out to be right. But if the whole book is like that it bores me. When the author manages to turn the story on it's head in a way that still makes sense and that surprises me I'm absolutely riveted.

I guess one more thing I like, but isn't necessary as I don't just read fantasy and sci-fi, is I like books with whole new worlds in them, places I could never visit, but make them vivid enough for me that I would want to (or not want to if it's a scary place).

So I think that's basically it for me.

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#7155
Old 10-16-2009, 08:57 PM

*Pops in with my newb self* Hey everyone. o.o Not sure how to start here. Feeling awkward about showing myself here, but I wanna join in with the book-ness. :'D

LaVida
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#7156
Old 10-16-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dream_and_Die View Post
I like books that take me somewhere else - hence why I prefer fantasy or historical - and characters that are strong. I don't like books with wishy-washy characters as much.

For me there's two things that make a book 'good.' Literally getting lost in the book and not being able to put it down.
ditto here, but I like a touch of romance and action to the mix ;)

RisikaFox
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#7157
Old 10-16-2009, 10:16 PM

@Image: Well, you can always start a 50 Book Challenge if you'd like, keeping in mind that your own personal goal might be higher or lower than that specific number. Or you can simply join in on our bookish conversation, which can be quite intriguing and enlightening. Welcome, and hope you enjoy your stay. ^^

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#7158
Old 10-17-2009, 12:58 AM

~Book List~ Total completely read: 3

- Heritage of Shannara (Four books in one) : Terry Brooks; Progress: 2.5/4 read.
- Nineteen Minutes : Jodi Picoult; Progress: Complete.
- End of the Spear : Steve Saint; Progress: Put down.
- The Things They Carried : Tim O'Brien; Progress: Complete.
- Black and Blue : Anna Quindlen; Progress: Completed.
- Magic in the Middle Ages : Richard Kieckhefer; Progress: Just started.

Last edited by Image; 11-26-2009 at 12:25 AM..

RisikaFox
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#7159
Old 10-17-2009, 01:07 AM

Excellent, welcome aboard! xD Oooh, I really liked the Shannara books myself. Now, I can't seem to recall, but... Is there more than one Shannara series, or just the one? It's been awhile, so I'm having a brain fart here.

Iltu
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#7160
Old 10-17-2009, 01:09 AM

Sunlit- Haha, thanks. :P I appriciate it.

Image- Welcome aboard! Good luck with your list. How is Nineteen Minutes? I've ehard good things about it.

Image
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#7161
Old 10-17-2009, 01:19 AM

Risika - Thank you. :] I think there's two or three. I'm on the second, I believe.

Iltu - Thank you. It's actually really good. Not a book I'd normally pick up. It's one of the books I'm reading for school, though. It's really good. Very suspenseful.

Iltu
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#7162
Old 10-17-2009, 01:24 AM

I've only read one book by Jodi Piccoult, and have totally meant to read more, but I've just never gotten around to it. My mom loved Nineteen Minutes, though.

Image
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#7163
Old 10-17-2009, 01:32 AM

This is the first book of hers I've read. Her writing's amazing. Think I'm going to go check on Amazon right now for more of her books. :3 [/hordes books]
Any suggestions?

Iltu
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#7164
Old 10-17-2009, 01:42 AM

I've only read Picture Perfect by her, but I loved it. :) My mom said Second Glance was really good as well. I have a friend that's read most of her books, I think she said her favorite was The Pact, though it might have been Mercy... And of course, her most famous book is My Sister's Keeper. So those might be some starting points for you!

Image
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#7165
Old 10-17-2009, 01:46 AM

Alright, thank you. :3 I'm starting my search now.

And on a side note, ever heard of a site called "BookCrossing?"

Iltu
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#7166
Old 10-17-2009, 02:20 AM

Nope, but I just looked it up and it looks super cool! I'll have to look into it more.

Image
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#7167
Old 10-17-2009, 02:35 AM

I use it all the time. It's a great book exchange. >w<

I believe I'll be doing some reading then going to bed. Night. :3

dragonlover1020
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#7168
Old 10-17-2009, 03:59 AM

alright, its about time I do this.
My list:
I jedi
Maximum ride: the final warning

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#7169
Old 10-17-2009, 04:55 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by *Hime* View Post
Finished the second book on my list (:
I think I'm making progress ^^

The books from Allende are so good. They are also real Hollywood material. Though I assume the reason why no movie studio has picked them up would be:
1) they would cost a lot of money, considering the locations.
2) the anti-western/materialism critiques that are very dominant in the books.

It's a great read nonetheless (:
Are you talking about the City of Beasts series? I really enjoyed those. I also have Zorro by her, although I have yet to read it.

KatMagenta
Starlet on the rise
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#7170
Old 10-17-2009, 01:02 PM

One of my friends likes Jodi Picoult and her favourite book is The Pact. Haven't read any of them myself, not my cup of tea.

I tried to join the library here but they needed something with my current address on. The library catalogue won't load either. -_-

*Hime*
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#7171
Old 10-17-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by shadowfoot View Post
Are you talking about the City of Beasts series? I really enjoyed those. I also have Zorro by her, although I have yet to read it.
Yes, I do :3
I'm almost finished with the third book of the series. I'm planning on picking up Zorro from the library after; I really enjoy her writing style and perspective (:

Knerd
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#7172
Old 10-17-2009, 02:29 PM

Sorry I haven't kept up with the lists guys, but I'll go through the pages right now and add them to the Master List. :yes:

Edit: Woo! We're up to 175 participants!

Last edited by Knerd; 10-17-2009 at 02:32 PM..

nike13
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#7173
Old 10-17-2009, 07:18 PM

Wow I've read 3 books since my last list update ^^; Work has gotten a bit slower but I don't think I'll make 50 books by the end of the year simply because I've got a wedding coming up in December and there's no books allowed on my honeymoon. I am curious to see if I'll make it past half though, originally I thought I would make it but work really cut into it since my promotion ^__^

Melissa
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#7174
Old 10-17-2009, 07:27 PM

@ Jodi Picoult discussion
Her books are all really depressing. :(
It takes a certain type of reader to be able to read all her books. We're not talking Nicholas Sparks depressing but worse. Lol.

LaVida
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#7175
Old 10-17-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Melissa View Post
@ Jodi Picoult discussion
Her books are all really depressing. :(
It takes a certain type of reader to be able to read all her books. We're not talking Nicholas Sparks depressing but worse. Lol.
*gasp* thanks for the warning, then I totally can't read her books because I'll be crying all day if I do and I got homework and stuff to do >.<

 


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