What Do Readers Want?
What makes or breaks a book? How do we rate the books, or determine if it is good literature or a good story? What do we want from an author event? How does diversity representation fit into all of this?
Julie:
For me, I’m looking for a fun read. I want to enjoy the book, not be traumatized or bored to tears. I want good characters to make difficult decisions and show growth and development. I want them to be relatable. I want the plot to be exciting and pull me in. During an author event, I like to hear the author talk about their stories, talk about how they write their masterpieces. Just a sign here and keep moving the line is not good enough. As for diversity, I don’t seek out books specifically based on their diverse rating – I want a book to stand on its own not because the book is diverse but because it is a good story with characters who happen to be unique.
Lynn:
I agree with Julie completely. I want an entertaining read. I read to escape reality. I’m not interested in being depressed by my books. And I want the happily ever after at the end. With an actual ending, especially in series. I’m fine with setting up the next book in a series. But I still want an actual end to the current story.
I like author events where there is there is talking and interacting with the author. I think Teen Book Con has spoiled me for all other author events. Multiple authors and different panels make the experience amazing each time. I don’t have much desire to just stand in line for an autograph on my book. First, I don’t tend to buy physical books (Shelf Love Challenge!). And second, I don’t have the patience to stand in lines.
Like Julie, I don’t necessarily seek out diverse books either. I want strong characters and a plot. I don’t care if the characters are white, brown, or blue. I think Sci Fi and Fantasy does a great job with diversity. Characters of all types, colors, and sizes are interacting, and making no big deal out of it.
Let’s Collaborate & Listen:
The online book community has changed so much over the years. How do we keep up within our own book-sphere as well as within the community as a whole (i.e., libraries, bookstores, authors, publishers, etc.)?
Julie:
I must admit I’ve been living under a toddler-sized rock the past few years. I used to go to book events, meet authors, and other bloggers. I used to go to book clubs and chat with other bookish friends. Now I feel disconnected because this is a community where you really have to be there in person to be part of it the best.
Lynn:
I won’t knowingly read a book with a downer ending. I have too much real life anxiety to want to experience it in a book in which the characters don’t get a happy resolution. I used to read the last page of a new-to-me-author’s novel to be sure that I wasn’t going to be disappointed.
I love GoodReads! I had to step back from trying to keep up with all the author reader groups and book discussion groups I’d joined or been added to in the past couple of years. But I do love it when I have time to catch up on book blog posts. =)
I’m with you, life is crazy enough and I want my books to be a happy experience.
Julie, I also enjoy when authors discuss their writing process at a signing. I think that’s my favourite part of author events. For authors I really adore, I also like being able to thank them for whichever book I fell in love with. Lynn, you hit on what I appreciate about the online book community – we can enjoy our quiet, solitary act of reading and still have a way to connect with others about that activity we love so much.
Jenna @ Falling Letters recently posted…Armchair Book Expo – Let’s Collaborate and Listen
Jenna, you make an excellent point. It’s intriguing to learn how authors create a world that you find yourself totally absorbed in. Even as an author myself, I still love to learn what makes other authors tick: how they come up with an idea, their writing process, etc. I almost treat it as a lesson to find pointers I can use myself.
Ooh Lisa good point, hearing from other authors is a great way to learn to hone your craft.
Yes! Being able to thank an author for a book that we fell in love with is wonderful.
Really great points, ladies! Lovely post again.
Armchair BEA Cafinated Reads Day 2
Thanks for hanging out Molly!
I don’t attend many events. They’re usually an hour away and at awkward times. Armchair Book Expo day 2: What do readers want? and Collaboration
Sarah @ PussReboots recently posted…Review: Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham
Yea I am with you on awkward times. Before I had a kid I would try to attend author events on weekends or after work, even if it was a bit of a drive, but not anymore.
I want to join a book club, but I can’t seem to find one the fits my schedule and I’m not sure how I would fit in another book with my review books. You can read more about what I want and ways I collaborate
Donna recently posted…What Readers Want and Let’s Collaborate #ArmchairBookExpo
Your local library might have book clubs, and check meetup.com for book clubs in your area too. Plus you don’t have to attend each meeting, so you can pick the books you want to read.
Gotta agree!
Couldn’t agree more about wanting an entertaining read! And if it’s a series, don’t let the characters get stuck in a rut but let them learn and grow. Another great post!
Terri @ Alexia’s Books and Such recently posted…Armchair Book Expo 2017 Day 2 – What Do Readers Want?
Yes about the rut! Growing characters through a series is what makes me want to keep reading about them.
I love escaping in books it really is the best part 🙂
http://cover2coverblog.blogspot.com/2017/06/armchair-book-expo-day-2-wants.html
Steph recently posted…June 2017 TBP Pile
Yes! Why read if it isn’t enjoyable? Hehe
Hi Julie.
I couldn’t agree more about what books you find captivating. As an author I always try to go by this motto: Authors should write about questions, not answers. If I’m writing a story that’s providing all the solutions then what is there for the reader to do? Seems to me that by doing that the story will be read like a history book and where’s the fun in that?
I love this – write about questions, not answers. History books are not fun to read, but books that make you think and second guess? Yes!