As an author, the biggest compliment I can get is when a reader tells me, "I couldn't put your book down."
That got me to thinking: what makes a can’t put down book?
I so rarely anymore find a book that I can’t put down. With my short attention span, I’m the ultimate test when it comes to keeping me interested. If you can do that as an author, you're an exceptional author.
I think the last book I read that I just couldn’t put down was Trial By Fire by debut author Jo Davis. What made this book so hard to stop reading were the characters. They felt like old friends, and I was sorry to let them go when I read the last page. They also came alive on the pages.
Tastes in books are such an individual matter that what I love about a certain book may not interest the next person at all. I consider myself a “character” writer rather than a “plot” writer. I find that I prefer books that delve into the characters and what makes them tick as opposed to a book heavy on plot but weak on characters. Other readers might prefer a non-stop action plot and find character exploration boring. Still others love those hot sex scenes.
Which brings up another discussion point. For me, I can’t read a book that is nothing but one sex scene after another without any character development or plot, yet I’m beginning to think I’m in the minority because these books seem to sell and sell well in the small publisher market. In a lot of ways, I find well-done sexual tension more of a turn-on than several imaginative sex scenes with little else. Some of my all-time favorite romance novels are the older books written by Sandra Brown and Susan Elizabeth Phillips, who both do an excellent job of leaving you on the edge of your seat wondering when the heroine and hero will get between the sheets.
So I’m curious, what about a book makes it hard for you to put down? How much sex do you like in a book? Is there ever too much sex?
6 comments:
Wow Jami, This a subject that I've thought a lot about. Unfortunately I'm on the same page as you are so can't offer any new insight.
In fact I'm a big fan of Sandra Brown and Susan Elizabeth Phillips but include their recent books as well as their older ones. Another author I love is Catherine Anderson and I hated it when Lavyrle Spencer retired.
I agree that books are as subjective as art. And, that to me is about as broad as it gets. One person will look at a painting and fall in love with it, want it hanging on the wall of their house or office another ....
For me enough sex is when I stay in the story, to much when I feel I'm being told now shown.
Its hard to put a name to what makes an 'unputdownable' book. Just an absolute need to know what happens next is sometimes the reason. Other times, its just amazing writing that draws you in and doesn't let go.
Characterization is what holds me to a book. I've read and loved plots I never thought I would because the characters are brought to life. Twilight is the book that comes to mind, probably because I just finished it. Wow. That's characterization! And tension! I love sexual tension. Who doesn't? :) I struggle with a story that is back-to-back sex scenes unless the author has managed to create characters and a plot I can't put down.
Hi, Jami, this is a topic I wonder about constantly. For me, it's a combination. I want great character development AND an interesting plot. If I had to pick I would have to choose characterization, though. If I don't love and care for the characters, it really doesn't matter what sort of hijinx they get up to within those pages.
I confess I enjoy great love scenes, but I prefer the ones that are emotional, steamy and sensual without falling over the line into an anatomy or sex ed lesson. It should be character driven, not just randomly thrown in there because nothing else is happening.
When all those things come together... then it's magic! An un-put-downable-book. ;)
I've read a couple of books I had a very hard time putting down lately: Whistling in the Dark by Tamara Allen and The Best Man by Jenna Jones. Both books had compelling characters, emotion, interesting plots, and the right amount of sex.
For Whistling in the Dark, a historical, that was not much. For The Best Man, it was more about the timing rather than the amount--and it was perfect. :)
I have found lately that while I love erotic scenes, too much sex bores me and I start to skim. It has to have a purpose and emotion, or I don't care.
I don't think I can define what makes me not want to put a book down. It varies depending on my mood. The latest book that grabbed me was An Indecent Proposition by Emma Wildes, a regency by a debut author.
The same with erotic scenes. It depends on what my expectations and mood are.
Post a Comment