As a reading teacher and an author, that's a complicated question. Do you choose beautifully written novels, full of subtle metaphors and classic themes? Or do you reach for novels with less impressive writing, but more compelling plots and characters? It's a little like asking which flavor of ice cream is better – chocolate or vanilla. Subjective at best.
So what do I reach for? Chocolate or vanilla?
For me, it's all about voice. I don't care how well written a book is – if I can't connect to the voice, I'm putting it down. My students say the same thing. And then there's character…I can almost meander through the Storyless Sea if I love the character. My favorites: Freak, from Freak the Mighty, Jace from Mortal Instruments, Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird, Norah from Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, Sidalee in Little Altars Everywhere.
Sure, I love a good story and I won't give a book more than thirty pages to show me what it has to offer. But voice is the thing. The sci-fi/fantasy fan in me also loves a great world. Cassandra Clare and Clive Barker are masters at world building. But that's after you've read The White Mountains as a kid, A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Fahrenheit 451, 1984, & Focult's Pendulom a little later. And The Golden Compass is a masterpiece.
What do you think? What makes a book worth reading?
a #1 New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author and comic book writer. As an award-winning, Bram Stoker Award-nominated young adult author of 12 novels and graphic novels, she has been published in 51 countries and 38 languages and her books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. Kami’s best known works include the Beautiful Creatures series, Teen Titans: Raven, The X-Files: Agent of Chaos, The Lovely Reckless, Broken Beautiful Hearts, and the DC Black Label comic Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity. She is also a cofounder of the Kid Lit book festival YALLFest.
As a to-be teacher (hopefully), that’s a good question for me to consider. I mean, it’s mostly about personal preference–so in that sense, it IS about the voice, I believe. I’ve read a great many books that were amazing, and yet aren’t my favorites, simply because I don’t connect with the voice. It doesn’t mean that the books are bad, or that they won’t be well received or become others’ favorites. It just means that it wasn’t a book that worked for me.
I’m still not sure whether that has more to do with how I, as a reader, relate to the voice, or with how well the author persuades us that he/she knows his/her MC. Or does that even make sense? Oh man, I’m tired…
Voice is incredibly important to me but there’s got to be a great story too.
I mostly look for a book that’s going to teach me something, or at least show me a something knew.
I never really got out of fairy tale land, and i still love basking in the after glow of a good moral (obviously the morals have aged with me, like “never allow your self to be controlled by an extreme totalitarian government” -Orwell)
Orwell – it doesn’t get any better than that. But I think Steph may be right…does the author’s writing talent directly translate into voice. It certainly does when it comes to plot & Lenore is a plot girl. They keep us writers on our toes.
errr….. oops…
I usually choose books based on premise. If it sounds good… but if a book’s premise (and usually this happens wit fantasy) doesnt follow through, isnt believable.. I drop it. if I dont believe it… then i cant finish it. what’s the point?
Story. Character and storytelling. You’re right: Golden Compass IS a masterpiece. When’s that fourth book coming out?
I agree! If you can’t coonnect to the person it makes it really hard to get interested in their story.
Also I tend to decide based on whether I think the book will be super heavy r not. I don’t read a ton of super heavy books cause it really brings be down. not that I expect every book to be a bubble of sunshine but I need a good amount of happiness and positivity to enjoy a book.
SO yeah…. XD OPINIONS! lol
Oh! And I agree that Golden Compass IS a masterpiece XP I LOVE those books with a passion…. plus Fahrenheit 451 was a GREAT book….