A week ago I finished reading Book A. I blithely reported on twitter that I liked the book. To which a fellow twitterati replied something along the lines of, “Argh I couldn’t stand that book it made me crazy.” We then proceeded to go back and forth about the book. My fellow twitterer very efficiently outlined all the problems with Book A’s plot, characterization etc. The truth is she was absolutely right.
This week I finished Book B. It has gotten some nice online buzz. The plot was sound, the characters stayed true to the world the author created, and I couldn’t have cared less. I just wanted it to be over. I knew exactly where the book was going and I didn’t care.
I enjoyed reading Book A much more than Book B.
In the course of the original discussion on twitter we talked about analyzing a book versus turning off that part of your brain off and just reading. Yes, if I need to I can certainly analyze a book–the plot, pace, chracterization etc. However, I am the kind of reader that just wants to be entertained. Like that old commercial, “Calgon take me away.” I want to be whisked away into another world.
In comparing both books I became alarmed that I’m some kind of slovenly reader who doesn’t care how well a book is plotted or written. I just don’t think that’s true. There are other things involved in how we preceive a book including the author’s voice. Reading is a highly personal activity. We bring to it all our own experiences. So, I might just relate to Book A’s characters more than Book B. Maybe I prefer one author’s voice over the other. Perhaps, it was just the mood I was in.
All I know is that it’s damn difficult to pinpoint exactly what makes me like one book over another. Ultimately, I think it’s like friends and lovers–there’s a natural chemistry that comes into play. The truth is it doesn’t matter. What’s most important to me is the reading itself becuase I love to read. That plus great discussions with other readers!
Have you ever liked a book that all your fellow readers dissed? I’d love to hear about it!
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Actually this happens to me all the time.
I think it’s more of how the story captures you–if you can buy into the story in the beginning, you enjoy it for it’s entertainment value, but if you don’t then all the mistakes and inconsistencies jump out at you. And what kind of story you’re willing to buy into can depend on any number of things.
heidenkind’s last blog post..Challenging
Hi Helen,
Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone. “And what kind of story you’re willing to buy into can depend on any number of things.” That’s my point exactly. It’s as individual as we are.
I’ve long since given up on worrying about what other people think about the books I read. I’ve always read more than just about everyone else I know, and I read a wide variety, so when talking “books” to anyone, there are going to be books I love that they wouldn’t touch, for whatever reason! I figure, as long as I’m happy, that’s what matters, right?
–Deb’s last blog post..What’s Missing?
Hi Deb,
Yep, I think that’s what matters for sure!
Truth be told, I am not an avid book reader. Of all the books I read between high school and college, the one I loved the best was the story of Romeo and Juliet and it was also the ONLY story I read in its entirety (even though I was required to read many, many more).
For me, Romeo and Juliet was an interesting story and told in a way that I could relate to on some sort of level. Other stories, such as Greek Mythology and Fantasy, never were able to keep my attention and I often got half way through them or less and never picked them up again. I still made As in English and Literature, and my lack of reading never affected me as I found each story line predictable–which translated to boring and predictable test questions for me.
And now I have no idea where I am going with this. I suppose I am just too picky or just not sophisticated enough, but the stories that I am drawn to are often found inside the covers of Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine, National Geographic, and Reader’s Digest. Is that okay?
Screwed Up Texan’s last blog post..Arroz con Pollo
That’s so cool. You are so right, not everyone loves fiction. Some people are ardent non-fiction fans. It sounds like real life stories are what you like best. It reminds me of that saying, “Truth is stranger than fiction.” There’s a lot of real life drama out there to read about too. Thanks for the reminder!
I couldn’t get through the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, and many, many other people — including writers — liked it. That’s one of many. I read books by Nora Roberts and not JD Robb. Other friends like the opposite. LOL
It’s a varied world we live in, yes? I’m one of those people who tends to like JD Robb more than Nora Roberts. . .although that’s kind of splitting hairs since it’s really the same person.
I don’t know why but I can get defensive about the books that I read and have enjoyed. I remember a reviewer whose tastes are very similar to my own, gave a bad grade to one of my most beloved books. She gave it a D. I was hurt, let me tell you and I even let it briefly color my view of the book. Despite the grade the book got at the review site, I still love the book.
Some of my favorite books never came close to the best-seller list. And they’re probably books that few have ever even heard of.
But somehow these books “spoke” to me. These books transported me to an interesting place where I got to hang out, more or less, with fascinating people doing exciting things.
That’s a pretty good deal from a buncha pages.
.-= RhondaL´s last blog ..The Kids Barn: my Wednesday place =-.
Hey Rhonda,
I love your choice of the word “transported.” I love being transported into another world. That is so the magic of “a buncha pages” for me as well.