During Sunday dinner at my parents' house, my mom announced to my kids that she had a game for them. Clearly with high expectations for what the game might be, my oldest son said, "I hope you don't disappoint us!"
Subconsciously I think the same thing when I start reading a book. I have expectations (sometimes high ones) and I'm hoping the book won't disappoint.
Recently I started a new book with high hopes - loved the cover, the concept, the characters - but sadly I was disappointed after the first chapter. The more I read the more I became aware of the author's device for avoiding overused actions like stared or smiled. While this can be a good thing, in this case, it led to overwriting. Because the actions were so well described or lengthy, I found myself constantly being pulled out of the story.
On the flip side, I recently re-read Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson. This book doesn't disappoint - even the second time around. The writing is concise and powerful. The historical details lend to the story, not overshadow it. And best of all, there's a little romance. My favorite books are ones like this - ones where I fall effortlessly into the story.
What do love about the books you love? What disappoints you in a book?
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16 comments:
I love when a book has me thinking of the characters long after I've read it.
Are you going to ACFW this year?
~ Wendy
I love two kinds of books. 1) Stories where I don't notice the words at all--just vivid scenes, strong characters, and distinctive voices. I also like 2) Stories written so beautifully and artfully that the resonance, harmony, and rhythm of the words enhances the story.
As long as a writer sticks with one of these or the other, I'm fine. When they try to mix them I get pulled out of the story.
I'm a dialogue chick! I love snappy dialogue and in romances, I want fun and flirty with lots of romantic tension.
I do not care for lots of narrative that reads like a grocery list. I think I commented this same thing on another blog earlier!
Happy Wednesday, Stacy! Do you have Twitter? You should! ;)
I love romance. And fun dialogue. Intriguing characters that area fleshed out well is a good thing too. I have a hard time with too much description. I tend to skim over it. :)
Wendy - I'm not going to ACFW this year. Are you? Take lots of pictures and notes! :)
John - I like vivid scenes and strong characters too.
Jessica - I know, I know. I should be doing Twitter. :) And I'm leaning more and more toward signing up. I'll let you know when I've made the plunge!
Chantele - I love romances too! Give me a sweet romance with a happy ending and great characters and I'm happy. :)
Ah, that's sad when that happens - in life OR in books!
For me it's all about characters, I think. I really think I *need* to care about the characters and if I do, I'll put up with a lot of shortcomings in the story.
Ali - Good point. If I don't really care about the characters, I'm likely to give up on the book. But if I do care, I'll likely keep going.
I love it when a book tugs at me emotionally and I have to return to it over and over.
Sometimes it's the voice that pulls me in. I felt that with Robin McKinley's book "Sunshine". Her story was compelling, too, but her mc's rambling book struck a chord with me. Sometimes it's the compelling story, or connecting with a character.
Sarah - I know what you mean. There are books I've read over and over and I think it's because I emotionally connected with the characters.
Donna - I've read Robin McKinley's Beauty so many times - the book's very worn. I haven't heard of Sunshine - might have to check that out.
I agree with you Stacie, when a book begins to become so descriptive you have to stop and pull yourself out of the book. But there needs to be enough description about the characters because I like to imagine what they look like and stuff. So not too much, but just enough. Makes a good book for me!
Mel - A happy medium of description for me too. :)
Well put. I have a stack of books next to me right now that I have put down because of things like that.
Jessie - Bummer! Hope you find some really great reads soon.
I'm mostly terrified MY book will disappoint.
And it's bound to disappoint people - b/c that's just how things work.
I love it when a book pulls me in and refuses to let me go. When I think about it when I should be reading for class or working on my own stories.
I'm always disappointed in a book when the author tries to use all the current "trends" in writing, plots, and characters. When a story seems so contrived simply because it fell into the current popular category.
I need a story that feels timeless.
~Jen
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