Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Each week a community of bloggers all create posts around a common theme. Everyone is welcome to get involved. Feel free to join in!
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Today’s topic is: Top Ten Things That Will Make Me Instantly Want To Read A Book
I will admit, I pick up books 100% by how much their cover draws me in. If the cover doesn’t appeal to me, someone I know and trust must have suggested the book to me, or I won’t take the time to read the back cover copy.
1. A gorgeously simple cover
I’m a sucker for a beautiful cover. Keep it simple. Keep it clean. Add metallic accents to it or have just one object or a cool pattern and I’m down. If there are photos of people on the cover I’m a lot less likely to pick it up.
2. Someone I trust has recommended it
There are a few of my friends whose thoughts on books I will always trust. They know what I like to read and will only recommend books to me that they think I will like. And when they tell me about a book that they like but aren’t sure I’ll like, I’m usually intrigued and will at least try out the first few pages.
3. A cool mystery woven through a story about something else
If a book’s back cover copy hints at a unique mystery, I get excited. I love a good mystery that is part of a larger story. A mystery for mystery’s sake doesn’t grab me as much. I like stories with more elements to them.
4. It’s by an author I love!
If an author that I have previously loved announces a new book, it’s automatically on my to be read list. Rainbow Rowell, Marissa Meyer, Kate Morton, Patrick Rothfuss. I will read every book these authors write.
5. A tonne of hype
If there is a tonne of hype about a book, I will want to read it so I can see if the hype is accurate or not. I want to form my own opinions about these books.
6. I saw the movie before realizing it was a book first
True story – I saw The Hunger Games because it was the only interesting sounding movie playing that night and I knew a friend of mine was excited to see it. I had NO IDEA it was a book. Once I realized it was a book series, I had to read them.
7. A super interesting title
Some titles just grab you by the collar and say: READ ME.
8. One word titles
Speaking of titles…I don’t know why, but I’m super attracted to one word titles. Passenger, Wayfarer, Fangirl, Heartless, Cinder, Room, Stardust. I could keep going.
9. I hear the author speak at an event
I’ve picked up a few books after hearing authors on panels or in workshops. After hearing them speak about their process or their work or give advice to other writers, it can be a lot of fun to read their stuff.
10. My friend wrote it!
I have a few friends who are published authors or are working towards publishing their work. I like to buy their books. I like to read them too, even if they are outside of my usual genres. Sometimes I like them, sometimes they aren’t my thing. But I try to support my author friends.
Maggie says:
I read hyped books for the exact same reason – to see if it’s worth it or not! I’m also a big time sucker for pretty covers!
Trisha says:
It’s always so interesting to read the hyped books and then compare my thoughts with others. Sometimes I like them, sometimes I really don’t. 🙂
Kristilyn (Reading In Winter) says:
My husband always laughs at me when I see a movie that looks good and then hear it’s based on a book. He already knows that we’re not seeing anything unless I’ve read the book first! I’ve eased up a bit with some of them — I’ve read the first two Game of Thrones books but I don’t think I’ll continue because I like the show better, for example. And anything by a favourite author is instantly on my wishlist!
Trisha says:
Haha my husband won’t go to book-based movies with me unless I promise not to tell him all my comparisons 😂
Sara Beth says:
totally totally I have a list of authors I will read almost any of their books.
Have you ever read a ton of books by authors you loved, then picked up one by that author. and read it and hated it?
That’s happened to me twice now. Hmmm
Trisha says:
Hmmm not that I can think of. But that would be super frustrating. It would feel like a Breach of trust almost – you thought you knew what to expect from them and they threw a curve ball. May I ask which authors?