Comments on: “You Gotta Read this Book.”

By: Siri Kirpal Kaur Khalsa

Siri Kirpal Kaur Khalsa — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 17:50:54 +0000

Sat Nam!

How I find the music? Usually by reading a page or a sample, sometimes because someone whose taste I trust recommends it (not the average reviewer, often because it’s a writer I like anyway.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

By: sharon

sharon — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 13:14:44 +0000

I love unexpected endings, as long as it is supported by the book as a whole once I discover it! But some readers get a lot of satisfaction out of familiar endings and/or predicting the ending. It’s different for everyone!

By: Nightwriter11

Nightwriter11 — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 19:52:49 +0000

A great book starts with a great protagonist people relate to and root for. In order to make along story short and not name all the different components of a novel, a great story needs to have an unexpected ending that resonates in readers even days after they have finished reading the book. thelonelyauthorblog

By: sharon

sharon — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 11:53:12 +0000

Sat Nam! What a beautiful greeting. Interesting point about the Harry Potter books. I first read those as an adult and raced through them in delight, even though I in general do not often enjoy fantasy. And have enjoyed re-reads since then! Of course, by that time word-of-mouth was a non-issue for that particular series : )

How do you look for the kind of music in the writing that’s important to you – reading reviews, reading a few pages in the bookstore, trusted friends’ recommendations?

By: Siri Kirpal Kaur Khalsa

Siri Kirpal Kaur Khalsa — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 23:42:05 +0000

Sat Nam! (Literally “Truth Name”–a Sikh greeting)

I look for beautiful language, a musical ear for words. Doesn’t need to be florid, syncopated is fine, but I dislike clunky prose. This I do look for out the gate, though I don’t always check before I purchase if the plot strikes a chord.

The plot will not strike a chord if the protagonist knowingly does something lethally dumb.

I do like interesting details. What makes the Harry Potter books such winners for me is the level of detail that bring the magic community to magical life.

And from there…God knows.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

By: Julia Ash

Julia Ash — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 18:07:11 +0000

Hi Sharon! Yes I do look for protags like I described because every time I invest in reading a book, I want it to be a You-Have-Gotta-Read-This-Book type of experience. I think you are spot-on in your blog: Everyone has a different wishlist when they select a book and that is why the list on Buzzfeed is so varied!

By: sharon

sharon — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 17:15:46 +0000

Thanks, Julia! Do you look for books with protags like that ahead of time when you’re deciding what to read next?

By: Julia Ash

Julia Ash — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 15:57:08 +0000

Julia here again! Sorry that the punctuation did not transfer well. Here is my second effort:

The You-Have-Gotta-Read-This-Book hook for me is the protagonist. The perfect protagonist is someone I can identify with, am rooting for, and can learn from. Once I have connected to the protagonist, I am all in. Traits that tend to hook me are: Inner strength (not yet realized when the book begins); a fierce will to survive; stubbornness that gives way to learning and growing; and the drive to find true love. Makes sense that the books I love have multiple sub-plots that swing across several genres such as thriller, suspense, adventure, and romance, with an upmarket flavor.

An oldie but goodie that comes to mind is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Protagonist Claire Randall/Fraser has it all!

By: Julia Ash

Julia Ash — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 15:49:10 +0000

The â��Youâ��ve Gotta Read This Bookâ�� hook for me is the protagonist. The perfect protagonist is someone I can identify with, am rooting for, and can learn from. Once Iâ��ve connected to the protagonist, Iâ��m all in. Traits that tend to hook me are: Inner strength (not yet realized when the book begins); a fierce will to survive; stubbornness that gives way to learning and growing; and the drive to find true love. Makes sense that the books I cheer loudly about have multiple sub-plots that swing across several genres such as thriller, suspense, adventure, and romance â�� with an upmarket flavor.An oldie but goodie that comes to mind is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Protagonist Claire Randall/Fraser has it all!