What do you look for in a synopsis? Is there anything specific that a synopsis must have in order to make you grab that book and buy it?
Julie:
I like the synopsis to tell me just enough about the plot to give me a feeling of whether I’ll enjoy the story. I want to know the plot will be exciting and eventful, and whether the book sounds like it will be a journey book (not a fan of those) or one with something happening all the time. I want to get just a glimpse of the characters to see if they are fun and spunky and not one-sided. I want the synopsis to sound unique, so it doesn’t feel like I’ve read that book before, a bunch of times. I definitely don’t want a synopsis that spoils an earlier book in the series though, and I’ve seen a lot that do that. I’ve also seen synopses that give away the book they are describing. A synopsis needs to be a teaser, but also be an honest glimpse at what the book will be. No bait and switches, please.
Rose:
I am all about a good love story. I tend to like darker reads, or something tragic. I like a strong female protagonist that must overcome the odds to achieve her goals and I like a tortured hero… I see this in the blurb and I am a goner. One click.
Lynn:
The synopsis of a book is the starting point for me deciding to read a book or not. It has to grab and hold my attention. I need the synopsis to explain enough of the book that I have an idea of the genre, plot, and main characters. A quote or two from the book is helpful as well. For books in a series, I tend to only read the synopsis of the first book. I’ll read the synopsis of the second book after I’ve finished reading the first to avoid any major plot reveals.
[…] week, I loved this discussion on Chapter Break about what we like to see in a synopsis. Go add your opinion to their discussion […]
I love all of your thoughts! I think I need the synopsis to sound interesting or different enough that makes me want to purchase that book above all others.
I agree Brenda. The synopsis has to grab my attention.
I’m with Julie – I want a teaser not a spoiler. If anything feels spoiled, I won’t read the book. Thanks for being a part of Booknificent Thursday.
Tina
Thanks for continuing to host the awesome linky 🙂
A good synopsis summary should give me just a bit of insight into the book. The basic storyline, genre, etc and any major warning (lots of violence, etc). I hate anything misleading or when authors don’t even have anything on their book. No name is a guarenteed read with me. I want to have a heads up of what I am about to get into.
What about you? You pose the question but I would love to know your thoughts as well.
All 3 of us shared our thoughts in the post 😉
I agree with you on the misleading, that’s not fun at all.
Oy! I feel foolish. They way it looked seemed like those were comment responses. I guess that is what I get for reading in the middle of the night. Sorry.
[…] Julie, Rose, and Lynn chat about what they look for in a book synopsis. […]
I like your point about synopses not spoiling earlier books, though I think that there are some cases where that’s probably really hard not to do!
Yea, it probably is hard when something pivotal happens in a previous book.
I love to know a bit about the plot and characters, but what I really want is the opinion of someone I know and trust.
For example, if Gretchen Rubin says she likes a book, I take notice; if she says why she likes it I will know whether or not it will be for me.
I think that’s an interesting point you bring up – opinions of other authors or influential people on the book cover.
Great post, ladies. I think I agree with all of you on what to look for in a synopsis. Me, I want just enough info to hook me, make me curious about the story and its characters. I actually prefer a shorter synopsis to a long one as I think a longer one is either 1) telling me too much OR 2) trying too hard to sell me on the story.
Ooh good point bringing up the length – a synopsis that is too long will get boring and I’ll lose interest in it. A paragraph is enough.
I’m with Brandee, I prefer something short and to the point. Just enough to hook me and get me to pick up/buy the book. I’m really not a fan of synopsises (is that a word?) being a part of a book review as there are other places to find that information.
Terri M., the Director
Second Run Reviews
Ooh yea I agree, the plot should not be summarized in the review since that is already part of the book info.
For me, a synopsis needs to tell enough of a book to keep me hooked within the first couple of sentences. I don’t want “for fans of” if the book is nothing to the story it is being compared to. Synopsis of books that just say “a fast-paced novel” and such things don’t tell me anything about it. On the contrary, I don’t want a synopsis that tells me everything that will happen in the book.
I agree, “for fans of” is very misleading and books need to stand on their own.
The synopsis has to hook me, and give me just enough information to make me want to read on and find out what happens. Great post. 🙂
Here is my Discussion Post: How do you find time to read in busy periods?
Writing a synopsis is really difficult. I like a synopsis to give me a sense not only of what the book is about, but its “flavor” or style. That’s hard to do in a few sentences!
You’re right that it is difficult to blurb a novel in just a few sentences that fit on the back of the book and yet it is so important to be done well since everyone reads the back of the book before deciding to buy it, right?
For me, the less spoilery the better. I don’t even mind book blurbs that say next to nothing because I love the process of unraveling the story.
Well, I definitely don’t want a spoiler, but not enough details that show why that book is unique won’t catch my attention either.
It’s got to hook me, that’s for sure. If it sounds like something I already read a thousand times, chances are I won’t pick it up. I want new and exciting all the time! And clever – it’s got to be clever or no deal 🙂
True on the clever point, Ramona.
Absolutely, clever is important 🙂
Good question. I always like the synopsis to talk about an engaging plot or strong characters that I can relate to.
Good points, Cynthia. Those are helpful.