This week's question:
"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?"
I have to feel some kind of connection to a book to really want to keep reading it. It can be an admiration of the writing, or something that intrigues me about the character(s), or a provocative opening that creates a question that I want to answer by reading further into the book.
The main thing that makes me want to stop reading immediately is poor writing. I have complained about bad writing on this blog before, and it absolutely makes me crazy. Poorly done, clunky writing makes reading a chore and interrupts the flow between my eyes and my brain as I read.
This week's question:
Your favorite book/movie character just walked into the room! Who is it and what would be your first reaction?
This is surprisingly hard to answer! I think I will choose Roy Batty from Blade Runner, as played by Rutger Hauer in the 1980s movie. If I didn't faint on first sight, I'd probably be unable to speak coherently. But if I could in fact behave normally, I'd like to ask him about all the things he has seen and discuss mortality with him. He's easy on the eyes (see for yourself below) but I think he'd be a challenging person to have a philosophical discussion with.
Great answers!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Book'd Out earlier!
Shelleyrae
I agree, bad writing can make me stop reading a book. A connection with the characters is important too. Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteBad writing is definitely off-putting but there aren't a lot of books I haven't finished. I commit to the very end!
ReplyDeleteThese 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.
ReplyDeleteHop 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
Great choice and answer!
ReplyDeleteNew follower
Kristina
http://ladybugstorytime.blogspot.com/
I couldn't agree with you more! Many thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've loved Rutger Hauer ever since I saw LadyHawke.
ReplyDeleteSo many people don't know who he is these days.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hopping through. New follower! Poor writing gets me too. I don't want to have to work to read.
ReplyDeleteMy Hop
I agree with you, bad writing stops me reading.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend (or what's left of it)!
Beyond strange new words
thanks for the follow! following back :)
ReplyDeleteI am your newest GFC follower. Visiting via the Book Blogger Hop. My answer to the blog hop question.
ReplyDeleteI started reading a book the last month and it was suppose to be a very good book. But after giving it a couple of chapters I just couldn’t get into it. I put the book aside to read another day. I don’t like to do that because I feel as if my mind might have had too many distractions and I didn’t give the book a chance. So I always try to wait for another day to give it another go. I have so many other books calling to me from my to-be-read list that it can really be distracting. READ ME! READ ME!
I prefer reading and reviewing Christian Fiction but I do read a varity of other books. I just can’t handle too scary or gory. Suspense and Mysteries I like. No explicit adult books either if I do find one I really want to read I just skip over the x-rated stuff. So what genre do I read?
http://itstimetoreadmamaw.blogspot.com/
Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday! I'm now a follower. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great way to phrase it... a question that you need to answer by reading the rest of the book. I love that too as long as it's not an obvious ploy to trap you in the story. But when it doesn't work, I suppose it falls into your clunky writing category.
ReplyDeleteStopping by via Crazy-For-Book's Blog Hop. I'm following your blog.
ReplyDeleteI'm having a giveaway on my blog this weekend so please stop by!
Holjo @ Pedantic Phooka
www.pedanticphooka.com
I totally understand wanting to feel a connection with the book. :) Without it, what is the point in sticking with it? Thank you for visiting and happy reading!
ReplyDelete~DJL
I always try to sick with a book and there are very few that I haven't not finished. But if the characters are poorly developed that is usually a deal braker for me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog - I'm looking forwrad to reading more from you in the future!
Bonnie @ HandsAndHome
I am always ashamed of myself if I don't finish a book, but bad spelling and writing is such a turnof I can't help myself!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great week,
Juli @ Universe in Words