Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Top Ten Tuesday: Things That Make Me Instantly Want To Read a Book




This week's Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, is "things that make me instantly want to read a book." When I first saw this topic I thought it would be more about the actual words on the page in a book. But the more I pondered my reasons I realized I often want to read a book for the strangest or silliest reasons. This was surprising to think about but we are often drawn to books in all kinds of ways. Here are the ten ways I decide whether or not to give a book a go. 

1. The cover 

This has fooled me many times....a beautiful cover with a gorgeous setting and a colorful display can really suck me in. I have to watch out for this and remember that often the cover is the end for me if the book is not great.

2. The author 

I am a huge fan of sequels...maybe it's just comforting to know that I already enjoyed the other books and I know what I'm getting. So if it's one of my favorite authors like Anne Perry or Diana Gabaldon, I am going to want to read the book instantly.

3. Good reviews

I definitely will read a book if a trusted reviewer recommends it. Some of my fellow bloggers are the ones I go to first for this but Amazon and Goodreads are always a great place to start too.

4. Subtitles

I didn't realize this would be on my list until I started thinking about my answers. A well written, succinct subtitle draws me in and gives me that added "extra" within the main title to make me want to open the book and give it a try.

5. Historical fiction 

If a book is historical fiction or history set in certain time periods with certain historical figures I'm almost certain to give it a try or at least read the summary.

6. Real people 

This sort of goes along with number 5. I'm not a huge fan of fictional characters. I only enjoy them if they appear alongside real historical characters and then I get drawn into their fictional lives as they relate to those real people.

7. Length 

I enjoy longer books, those with some depth to them. If a book is 350 plus pages I'm more likely to spend my time on it. Sometimes mysteries are the exception but I love to get into an epic long book when I can.

8. Kings, Queens, Royalty of any kind

Yes this is a lot like number 5 but for me it is its own category! I am obsessed with books featuring royal persons especially if it is a narrative style biography of them.

9. Cozy mysteries set in the 1920's

This one may have more to do with the cover thing  again (see number 1) but I have discovered I am drawn to this genre in this time period. They are just fun and light hearted and good for the soul.

10. Anything set in historical Scotland 

This is such a favorite setting with me that I will give most stories a try if they take place during this time and place. 

What are your top reasons for reading a certain book? What makes you want to give it a try?

 

9 comments:

  1. An author I love will make me pick up a book as well.

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  2. I like reading about real people, too.

    Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.

    Lydia

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  3. Same! If a book blogger (or IRL friend) whose reading tastes are similar to mine recommends a book, I'm definitely going to give it a go. I've discovered so many great books this way!

    Happy TTT!

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  4. I've recently started reading historical fiction that feature real people. While these famous people are in the book, they are not necessarily the main character. And I'm okay with that.

    Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
    https://readbakecreate.com/recent-additions-to-my-physical-tbr-may-2023/

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    1. There are so many good historical fiction novels out there. So many time periods and stories to choose from!

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  5. That's a very specific period for cozy mysteries you've mentioned there. Any book in particular that you'd recommend to a fellow reader and mystery lover? Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/things-getting-in-the-way-of-reading/

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    1. My favorite ones are by Verity Bright. They are so cute and have great twists to them. Sort of like Downton Abbey with a mystery. I will check out your list, thanks for commenting!

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  6. Covers are definitely a big one for me too, a pretty cover is like catnip for me! If a book is by a favourite author, I will also definitely pick it up 99% of the time, unless I'm really not interested in the topic. I've been big into historical fiction in the last couple of years so that's also a really big draw for me too.
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2023/05/23/top-ten-tuesday-421-the-literary-dinner-party-2022-tag/

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    1. Thanks for sharing your list! Yes, I've been known to buy books strictly for their covers...glad I'm not alone :)

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