What do you seek in a book?

In reading books, what is your first parameter in deciding whether a book is worth reading or not? What do you specifically seek in a book? Is it the plot, or the development of the characters, or the way the author describes the setting, or something else?

...To be honest, I can't really answer that question myself. It's as if, I can pick a book with a standard plot. Like a romance story, triangle love, etc. But I feel like I'm somehow attracted, encouraged to read the story. Sometimes I'm right and I like the book, but sometimes I fail. So I can't really tell how to decide a book is worth reading or not. A summary at the back cover does help, but it doesn't guarantee everything.

phio69 wrote:
Sometimes I'm right and I like the book, but sometimes I fail. So I can't really tell how to decide a book is worth reading or not. A summary at the back cover does help, but it doesn't guarantee everything.

Yeah, I agree with that. In fact, the summary may cause you to have different expectations of what the story's gonna be like. Generally, the first thing I look out for is the genre (it's really more of a preference than a standard for book search. Certain genres are definitely no-no for me =X). Usually, when I find a book a good read, I will hunt down books written by the same author

Generally, I place more emphasis on story and character development and the way the author brings readers into the story world that somehow allows them to identify with the characters. Personally, I don't really like stories told using pages and pages and pages of conversations. Love the way descriptions are used to mould the atmopshere and trigger one's imagination. I probably can only share with you guys the things I look out for in a book... but like Phio, I can't tell you the way to determine if a book is worth reading. It's really after one pick up and read a particular book then the answer will be clear

-ALT- wrote:

phio69 wrote:
Sometimes I'm right and I like the book, but sometimes I fail. So I can't really tell how to decide a book is worth reading or not. A summary at the back cover does help, but it doesn't guarantee everything.

Yeah, I agree with that. In fact, the summary may cause you to have different expectations of what the story's gonna be like. Generally, the first thing I look out for is the genre (it's really more of a preference than a standard for book search. Certain genres are definitely no-no for me =X). Usually, when I find a book a good read, I will hunt down books written by the same author

Generally, I place more emphasis on story and character development and the way the author brings readers into the story world that somehow allows them to identify with the characters. Personally, I don't really like stories told using pages and pages and pages of conversations. Love the way descriptions are used to mould the atmopshere and trigger one's imagination. I probably can only share with you guys the things I look out for in a book... but like Phio, I can't tell you the way to determine if a book is worth reading. It's really after one pick up and read a particular book then the answer will be clear

I agree! Problem is, most of the times it's hard to find one author whose style I really love and I can still find that style on the next books s/he writes. Sometimes I feel like the style changes. ^^" But I tend to it like you, checking books based on authors.

I get sleepy easily if I read too much descriptions. I would rather see a dynamic plot, not concentrating on descriptions of the place or appearance too much, but more to the situation. Like in wars, for example. ^^

Yea~ the way a situation is being written is another important component! I've encountered the same 'problem' as you~ sometimes, somehow, the writting style seems so different even though it's by the same author. There are both surprises and disappointment. The change in style can be a delightful treat when the author displays his flexibility and command of language. Sometimes, It's just pure disappointment T_T I especially hate it when I can practically predict everything that's gonna happen in the book or books that left me the "So, what have I just read?" feeling after completing it >_<

I only read fiction so to me judging a book by its cover is the most important thing. Pretty cover arts or well placed titles and names would give me the impression of how much money and effort was spent to put it there on the shelves. if the cover won me over, I'd go ahead check the summary and see if there's any pull to my narrow interest since I only read fantasy and I like it if the main lead is a female because I'm a feminist at heart. I prefer the women to be the hero and not just the damsel need saving, but male leads are fine too. if those met my requirements, I'd compromise the size of font and the total pages. I like my book to be small font and fill every page entirely. that's only to make sure I'm investing a good read and not some empty pages of nothing just so to create drama (think Twilight and Bella's 'empty' months without Edward). if all was approved, I would go ahead and buy the book but sadly I don't buy that much nowadays. too poor orz

...am I too picky? lol

It's indeed hard to answer this question, I just don't know if I can explain it easily.
Usually, in picking a book worthy to read, I also prefer certain genres (which is why every time i go to the bookstores, I will always move to particular shelves). I often do some research first: what's the story about, who are the characters and if people give good reaction to the book. If all is good, I will pick that book to read. But of course, I have my own judgment. I don't like cliches; I always prefer to read stories with twisted or bittersweet ending. I also hate slow plot, it makes me sleepy. Too many descriptions? I got sleepy too. The characters should be developed gradually in the book, so we really know who he/she is, what has happened to him/her and what he/she would do. I always like it if in a story there's an enigmatic character. That kind of character always leave a mark in my mind. Most of all, what is important is the moral of the story. A good story always have something to teach. This 'something' always help me to understand the world better. If the book fits all the categories, I'll judge that book as worth reading. For example, try to read The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. That's one of the books that I deemed extremely good, even better than Harry Potter (just in my opinion).

When it comes to books, novels and stories, I look for one thing:

UNPREDICTABILITY.

When a story has a common pattern, it's not very entertaining for me. I usually look for the story of the book, and the simple yet striking form of language. Usually with sense of humor and wits.

A good example is the famous Filipino author (?) Bob Ong, who writes about social issues and Philippine culture in an absurd yet funny way.