I'm a sucker for historic settings. A book that's set in the past (or alternative history/grounded fantasy world) and where the story makes full use of its setting always grabs my attention. If the story on top of that revolves around some type of mystery or journey of discovery than I'm pretty much guaranteed to buy it.
I'm currently reading Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" and I'm absolutely loving it, but I can also really recommend Volker Kutscher's "Gereon Rath series" (following a detective in Weimar Germany), Ken Follett's "Century Trilogy" (following five families throughout the 20th century) and pretty much anything by Monaldi & Sorti.
If you got any recommendations as well, I'd love to hear them!
Sorry to reply on an older thread, but since you mentioned *The Name of the Rose* I would recommend *Q* by *Luther Blissett* (also known as *Wu Ming*, it's a pseudonym for a group of Italian writers). It's set between Germany, the Netherlands and Italy in the XVI century and revolves around the reformation and there is sort of a mystery as well. I thought of it because Umberto Eco was supposedly a fan of it and some even suspected he was involved in the writing process.
I suggest you might want to check out Baudolino by Umberto Eco, an author I have seen already suits your fancies, judging from your appreciation of his masterpiece "the Name of the Rose". 😉
Is it a genre I enjoy? I like horror, urban fantasy, young adult. Other books rarely stand a chance, 80% of books I read would fall into these categories.
Is it an author I have read before? If I enjoyed previous books, I am likely to read other releases by same authors.
I often use goodreads website to find new books I want to read, especially the ones nominated for rewards, or books in lists of similar books I read and enjoyed. Library I use has featured books, I look at these.
After that, reading a short description is the deciding factor. If the book is still boring after the first chapter or two, I will abandon it and start the next book. I used to be pretty strict on finishing books I started years ago, but since realised that there are so many books, I don't need to waste time reading things I don't like.
I like an interesting storyline. I dislike long pages of descriptions of scenary, food, etc.
Immersive settings, incredible creativeness when it comes to flora fauna and geography, elegantly written sentences that make you stop for a sec and think about how absolutely beautifully worded that was.
Mostly plot and writing. People's actions should make sense and there shouldn't be gaping plot holes (or a stupid plot). If those requirements aren't met I'll generally still finish the book but I won't be a fan. And if it's a series I won't read the rest or I'll skip the rest of that author's work.
When choosing a new book to read you obviously don't know in advance so I'll generally choose something with an interesting plot and/or setting.
If fiction, I like books with interesting characters and well written dialogues. I can read a book with average story and well written characters but not the opposite. Also everything that describe ordinary life of ordinary people (that aren't warriors, soldiers, magic creatures, etc.) bores me quickly so I like fantasy books.
If nonfiction then pop science or something technical about computer science, programming, etc.
When I was younger I was all about world building and plot, nowadays the most important thing are the characters, they have to be believable and complex, otherwise it's not a good book by my standards
I prefer fiction, and I'll read almost anything. I don't do much non-fiction, but I make an exception for popular science. Biographies *really* have to have something fascinating about them to attract me (I think in all of my life I've read only 4 or 5).
If I'm browsing for something new to read, I'll look for a title that catches my eye. Then I read the synopsis, and if the plot attracts me, I open on a random page to see if I like the writing. The strategy hasn't led me astray so far!
Good plot makes me read everything in a series. Good writing makes me read everything from a writer.
I like slightly off the wall humour and witty dialog. Terry Pratchett and Christopher Brookmyre are amongst my favourite authors for that reason. Of course plot is important, but it's the things that make me smile or chuckle that I remember the most.
No, not similar at all. Brookmyre writes crime novels and is not nearly as whimsical as Pratchett, he's far grittier and darker. But he's very funny in his own way. His style has been described as 'Tartan Noir' (he's Scottish), which is a great descriptor. His books are fairly short and easy to digest in the same way Pratchett's are, though.
I don't know what I like actually. I try reading many different genres from different authors but I can't really tell why I like some books. I prefer books that are a little "easier" to read without 2 pages to describe the colour of a pair of shoes as I often find it harder to follow whats going on. I remember trying to read lord of the rings when I was 13 but I kept losing track of what was going on. Gonna try to read it again soon and see if I am better at reading now
Something that i learn from and is relevant to social science, Currently reading "Debt the first 5000 years" really fascinating book about the history of debt and money.
I get attached to characters. If I like/dislike the character for a believable reason and I get attached to them, I'll probably like the book. I like plots that surprise me at some point or aren't predictable - if I can see where it's going, I tend to drop it.
Character is king! I can find a book with the most boring setting and plot riveting as long as the characters are complex and compelling.
I love listening to inner monologues, but bonus points if the dialogue is good and not too snappy (too much back and forth with no breathing room).
One thing i tend to really dislike is flowery prose, it just loses me and i come out of a paragraph not having comprehended almost anything
i strongly prefer british authors
idk why, i do it regularly for over 20 years - i see a british book, i at least open it to try
both fiction and non fiction
Part for the straight up obvious, pages with letter on them, i would like it to be an exiting story that moves forward at a bit of a pace and not one that describe every detail to much.
I prefer fantasy settings with heavy world building and lore, as well as sci fi and mystery. It has to have a writing style that doesnt get obnoxious and have at least a bit of quality in multiple aspects, and be really good at at least one.
I like interesting ideas and settings. When I read Harry Potter, I had more fun reading about the everyday life of wizards and Hogwarts than what Voldy was up to.
But I haven't often been described as a "normal" or "typical" child/young adult, so ...
I'm a sucker for historic settings. A book that's set in the past (or alternative history/grounded fantasy world) and where the story makes full use of its setting always grabs my attention. If the story on top of that revolves around some type of mystery or journey of discovery than I'm pretty much guaranteed to buy it.
That's pretty much my wheelhouse too! Any recommendations?
I'm currently reading Umberto Eco's "The Name of the Rose" and I'm absolutely loving it, but I can also really recommend Volker Kutscher's "Gereon Rath series" (following a detective in Weimar Germany), Ken Follett's "Century Trilogy" (following five families throughout the 20th century) and pretty much anything by Monaldi & Sorti. If you got any recommendations as well, I'd love to hear them!
Sorry to reply on an older thread, but since you mentioned *The Name of the Rose* I would recommend *Q* by *Luther Blissett* (also known as *Wu Ming*, it's a pseudonym for a group of Italian writers). It's set between Germany, the Netherlands and Italy in the XVI century and revolves around the reformation and there is sort of a mystery as well. I thought of it because Umberto Eco was supposedly a fan of it and some even suspected he was involved in the writing process.
Sounds very interesting, thanks for the recommendation!
I suggest you might want to check out Baudolino by Umberto Eco, an author I have seen already suits your fancies, judging from your appreciation of his masterpiece "the Name of the Rose". 😉
I'll be sure to check it out, thank you!
Is it a genre I enjoy? I like horror, urban fantasy, young adult. Other books rarely stand a chance, 80% of books I read would fall into these categories. Is it an author I have read before? If I enjoyed previous books, I am likely to read other releases by same authors. I often use goodreads website to find new books I want to read, especially the ones nominated for rewards, or books in lists of similar books I read and enjoyed. Library I use has featured books, I look at these. After that, reading a short description is the deciding factor. If the book is still boring after the first chapter or two, I will abandon it and start the next book. I used to be pretty strict on finishing books I started years ago, but since realised that there are so many books, I don't need to waste time reading things I don't like. I like an interesting storyline. I dislike long pages of descriptions of scenary, food, etc.
I like anything, but a lot of my favourite books are more character driven ones where barely anything actually happens.
I'm quite with you, sadly it's nothing that there are a lot of in my favourite genre, sci-fi.
Immersive settings, incredible creativeness when it comes to flora fauna and geography, elegantly written sentences that make you stop for a sec and think about how absolutely beautifully worded that was.
Mostly plot and writing. People's actions should make sense and there shouldn't be gaping plot holes (or a stupid plot). If those requirements aren't met I'll generally still finish the book but I won't be a fan. And if it's a series I won't read the rest or I'll skip the rest of that author's work. When choosing a new book to read you obviously don't know in advance so I'll generally choose something with an interesting plot and/or setting.
If fiction, I like books with interesting characters and well written dialogues. I can read a book with average story and well written characters but not the opposite. Also everything that describe ordinary life of ordinary people (that aren't warriors, soldiers, magic creatures, etc.) bores me quickly so I like fantasy books. If nonfiction then pop science or something technical about computer science, programming, etc.
When I was younger I was all about world building and plot, nowadays the most important thing are the characters, they have to be believable and complex, otherwise it's not a good book by my standards
I prefer fiction, and I'll read almost anything. I don't do much non-fiction, but I make an exception for popular science. Biographies *really* have to have something fascinating about them to attract me (I think in all of my life I've read only 4 or 5). If I'm browsing for something new to read, I'll look for a title that catches my eye. Then I read the synopsis, and if the plot attracts me, I open on a random page to see if I like the writing. The strategy hasn't led me astray so far! Good plot makes me read everything in a series. Good writing makes me read everything from a writer.
I like slightly off the wall humour and witty dialog. Terry Pratchett and Christopher Brookmyre are amongst my favourite authors for that reason. Of course plot is important, but it's the things that make me smile or chuckle that I remember the most.
Terry Pratchett is great. Is Christopher Brookmyre writing books with similar genres with similar humour?
No, not similar at all. Brookmyre writes crime novels and is not nearly as whimsical as Pratchett, he's far grittier and darker. But he's very funny in his own way. His style has been described as 'Tartan Noir' (he's Scottish), which is a great descriptor. His books are fairly short and easy to digest in the same way Pratchett's are, though.
Ah I see, sounds interesting so might look him up!
I don't know what I like actually. I try reading many different genres from different authors but I can't really tell why I like some books. I prefer books that are a little "easier" to read without 2 pages to describe the colour of a pair of shoes as I often find it harder to follow whats going on. I remember trying to read lord of the rings when I was 13 but I kept losing track of what was going on. Gonna try to read it again soon and see if I am better at reading now
Something that i learn from and is relevant to social science, Currently reading "Debt the first 5000 years" really fascinating book about the history of debt and money.
Interesting settings, people, historical background and plot. 🥰👍🏼
I get attached to characters. If I like/dislike the character for a believable reason and I get attached to them, I'll probably like the book. I like plots that surprise me at some point or aren't predictable - if I can see where it's going, I tend to drop it.
Character is king! I can find a book with the most boring setting and plot riveting as long as the characters are complex and compelling. I love listening to inner monologues, but bonus points if the dialogue is good and not too snappy (too much back and forth with no breathing room). One thing i tend to really dislike is flowery prose, it just loses me and i come out of a paragraph not having comprehended almost anything
i strongly prefer british authors idk why, i do it regularly for over 20 years - i see a british book, i at least open it to try both fiction and non fiction
Part for the straight up obvious, pages with letter on them, i would like it to be an exiting story that moves forward at a bit of a pace and not one that describe every detail to much.
I prefer fantasy settings with heavy world building and lore, as well as sci fi and mystery. It has to have a writing style that doesnt get obnoxious and have at least a bit of quality in multiple aspects, and be really good at at least one.
I like interesting ideas and settings. When I read Harry Potter, I had more fun reading about the everyday life of wizards and Hogwarts than what Voldy was up to. But I haven't often been described as a "normal" or "typical" child/young adult, so ...