Friday, July 1, 2011

Follow Friday and Book Blogger Hop (70111)


"What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?"

Okay. So let's just pretend I haven't gushed over the Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfield so many times and go with that. When I read the first book earlier this year, the uniqueness of the plot - I mean, an alternate WWII? A prince on the run? How cool is that? - was initially what hooked me into the storyline. Of course, there's also the writing style, and the cool illustrations that go along with the chapters...

...Alright, let's just leave it at the uniqueness factor. That's pretty much the main thing that hooks me because I HATE REDUNDANCY and when authors don't have their own mind. Case in point: all the pale-skinned, broody heroes that have emerged in the literary world since Twilight burst onto the scene.

Which, by the way, segues us successfully into the second part of the question: what makes me stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf? Ever since I started book blogging, I've developed the annoying habit of persevering for a) the sake of reviewing the book for prosperity, and b) a vain hope that the hero will get his...ahem...behind into gear and do something interesting before the last fifty pages.

But, since we're on the subject, as I mentioned before, I hate when authors are unoriginal. Or add in a bit of tawdry smut in order to keep things going. This is my own moral standing, but I don't think you prove yourself as a good writer if you have to resort to profanity or graphic scenarios in order to keep the plot-line going. And, from the mouth of a teenager, I don't feel as though "you understand me" if you add in these so-called plot mechanisms.

Alright. So I think I gave you enough for your money's worth.


"Ack! Your favorite book character (ie. Hermione Granger as played by Emma Watson) has just stepped into the room! How do you react?"

Okay. So my favorite book character would be someone like Percy Jackson (as played by Logan Lerman, even though he didn't really do as great a job as expected IMO) or, yeah, Hermione or Ron would be awesome as well.

Probably, if any of my favorite characters - manifested in movie form or not - appeared in front of me, I'd probably jump up and be like, "Take me with you!" because believe me, there has to be something exciting going on.

(Though I'm not sure I'd like to get involved with bloodthirsty Greek gods or Dementors in real life. Whatever. It'd still be cool.)

12 comments:

Kristen said...

Great answers! Check out my blog hops post on my blog! Happy Friday :)

Kristen @suchateenagebookworm.blogspot.com

Amber at The Musings of ALMYBNENR said...

I haven't read that trilogy by Scott Westerfeld, but I have read the Uglies series. I really should try out some more of his books. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend! I'm now following! :)

Amber
The Musings of ALMYBNENR

Izzy G. said...

Hi! I'm Izzy, and I'm just stopping by your blog on the Blog Hop. Originality is also a big hook for me when I'm reading a book. If I open a book and everything about it feels stale and too familiar, then it's going to take some major plot twists to get me interested. I don't mind so much when things are similar between many books if the way the author writes it is unique, but in some genres, this is rarely the case.

By the way, I'm a new follower! I read some of your reviews and I thought they were quite well-written, and I also appreciated how your voice really shines through them :)

My Words Ate Me

Jenny said...

Hi Kaye! Since I've started blogging, I definitely have trouble not finishing a book too, I feel obligated to make it to the end! I'm a new follower here and I look forward to your reviews:)

Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
www.supernaturalsnark.blogspot.com

Howard Sherman said...

These book blogger hop questions just get better and better. This one looks easy but I think it’s a trick question. We all know it’s the same answer – the writing – but we all have different perspectives of what good writing is.

Hop on over to my blog at http://www.howardsherman.net and read my three-prong answer as I explain why I’ll decide to pick up a book or put it down in under sixty seconds.

Happy July 4th Weekend!

Howard Sherman, Implementor
http://www.howardsherman.net

Dani @ Refracted Light said...

Hi Kaye! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for following! :) I totally agree on the originality thing, with the saturation of the YA genre these days, it's fun to find a story that truly stands out as unique. I'm glad to see that you recommend Leviathan! I picked that one up for a steal when our Borders went out of business, but haven't gotten to start it yet...I got it purely on the fact that it was a Steampunk novel...lol.

Anyway, hope you have a great holiday weekend! :)

Pedantic Phooka said...

Hopping through via Parajunkee & am now following you.

I'm having a giveaway on my blog this weekend, so please stop by!

Holjo @ Pedantic Phooka
www.pedanticphooka.com

Alison Can Read said...

Hopping through. I often say that I don't like cliches or stereotypes...but I recently read a very Twilighty book (Die For Me) and loved it specifically because it was so much like Twilight. It had the same features that really got to me - great supporting characters and an interesting paranormal element. So sometimes, overplayed themes can work.
My Hop

Lisa said...

Oooh, Percy Jackson! I've seen the movie but haven't read the books. Was worried about the main character being a little boy =|

Thanks for stopping by!

Unknown said...

Hi! Happy Friday! I am following via Follow Friday. I am a new follower and would like to invite you to my blog for a follow visit. Thanks. Donna

http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com

Fifty Shades of Grey give away once you're there.

Lucy (The Secret Life of Books) said...

Hey, found you on the book hop. I havent heard of the Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfield. I just checked out the website and it looks like a great read!
While I am partial to the broody bad guy, I have to agree with you. Writers need to come up with a different type of Hero!

http://lily-bookhaven.blogspot.com/2011/06/giveaway-100-followers.html
(Be sure to check out my giveaway)

barmybex said...

I've only read the Midnighters series by Scott Westerfeld but they were awesome, will have to get some of his other books.

I didn't think of Percy Jackson but he would be pretty cool to meet. Would love that pen that turns into a sword!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and following, I'm following you back. :D

Have a great weekend.

Post a Comment