A Simple Question...

Everybody has their idea of the perfect books to read. But, see, for each person, it's a little bit different. All I want to know is what makes the book good for you. Is it the plot? And, if so, what about the plot? The romance? The adventure? Is it the writing style? Or is it the characters?

So, if you can post and tell me what makes a book good, I'd really appreciate it. This is out of curiosity and to help me a bit on a book I am planning. ^-^ Thanks everyone!

Smiles!
@;~ Saph

I guess I like a really good character, and a strong, original plot. I can't stand anything cliche and too unrealistic. (Unless it's fantasy, science fiction, etc...). I like a good writing style. This might be just for me, but too many big words doesn't make it a good story to me. It could have amazing vocabulary, but be a really boring story. I think I really have to feel for the character to like the book. They can't be boring, and fall flat, they have to be real. I think that's pretty much what I like to see.

I like books/stories where the characters have strong and interesting personalities. As for the writing style and plot, I enjoy it when the writing is straight-forward and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat. It has to be fairly easy to read, it's not fun to read if you have no idea what's going on.

Thanks! This really helps. You're both super awesome. ^-^

Great plots make a good book to me. Although I've seen great plots that are badly written which weren't easy to read. I also prefer human characters. By human I mean flawed.

Thanks! I totally appreciate it.

Yes, flaws can be very interesting sometimes...

I love nice, original plots and very interesting characters with well-planned out personalities. Not very many flat characters is nice, too.

The romance and adventure and plot make me like the whole book/novella/novel. Writing styles usually affect how boring it is from me. You don't want too many strong words, or too many weak ones. It can get really boring.

I like a book that I enjoy reading.

But seriously, I enjoy an interesting plot with characters that I can actually care about. I want to be angry every time I'm forced to put the book down because I can't stand not knowing what happens next. I want to feel sad when the book ends because even though I know what happens (and hopefully it's good), I'm done going on that journey with that cast of characters. I like twists and turns I could have never predicted.

Because I'm pretty impatient, I also prefer a faster-paced plot with minimal description. I also like romance, but as a side dish, not the main focus of the plot. I also enjoy humor, even in the more dramatic novels. I feel it eases the tension a bit. The writing does have to be fairly easy to read and natural.

chasingcolts: I totally agree. I am rereading Twilight and I noticed that I'm not enjoying it this time because I'm not focusing on the story. I'm reading and noticing the flaws in Meyer's writing... It's a little boring this time around, and I hate myself for saying that.

niteowl: You like a book you enjoy reading, huh? I do, too. I love stories where the characters seem so concrete and where I'm totally enchanted by every single one. It really makes a difference.

Oooh, interesting question.

I'm going to have to say exactly what niteowl said. A good book is the one that you can't put down because you have to know what happens, whether it is happy or sad. You just have to know. With all the twists and turns a novel can take, it's hard to predict the ending. Those are the best books

Also, books I consider good have wonderful characters who:

A) I can relate with. 'Tis grand when one can relate to those they read about.

B) Make me laugh. Those have got to be the best characters. If they bicker with one another, just plain klutzie, etc. I love to laugh and I love books that make me laugh.

C) Are noble. I have a weakness for the noble characters. Like the knight in shining armour or the man who will save a damsel in distress and not ask for a kiss in return. Or those who stick up for the weak.

I love characters!

If a novel has a great twisty plot, I'm hooked. If it's written beautifully, with well developed characters, wonderful description of the settings, I'm hooked. Also, violence just makes the whole thing a little more exciting

I want to read a book with humor in it. Something that will make me laugh, or a character that always has good sarcastic responses.

Ooh, good question.

Well, normally a good plot is mandatory, but sometimes the writing style is more important - for example, most Jane Austen books are relatively plotless, but the style of her writing just draws you in. An excellent plot is useless if the writer's style is boring.

Characters are obviously really important. Sneaking in another Jane Austen example, Pride and Prejudice is probably most popular because we find it easier to relate to Elizabeth. Her characters are usually perfect or evil, almost; so they're difficult to relate to. Elizabeth is flawed and consequently much more relatable.

Humour is very important - people often want something to lighten their mood if they're picking a book. Either you're looking for something very light or very dark, and light is usually easier to write, not to mention less depressing.

Hope I've been helpful.

Romance.

I love romance. Lately, I've found a book that doesn't have romance in it, I can't read. Well, I can, but it takes me longer to read.

Believable character development, and a good plot. Those two things are what makes a book enjoyable. If the main character is a little flimsy at the start, I skip ahead a few chapters. If the MC becomes better, then I'll give it a chance. A good plot for me involves a lot of suspense, and many twists. I want an ending I can't predict. That's basically it, though other things are important, but if those are okay, then I might be able to ignore that.

for me its about dynamic character and the ability to re-read the book. it has to be a book so enthralling and complex, you pick up on something different every time you read it.
It also has to be a book where no one is really a bad guy.

...
I have high priorities.