Comments on: Reading is a Romance

By: Georgie Lee

Georgie Lee — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:45:17 +0000

If I find an author I like, I throw myself wholeheartedly into the relationship. I finally break things off when I’ve either run out of books from that author or I grow tired of the subject matter. However, a bad book will bring the relationship to an end or kill one before it begins. Once in a while I might try and hook-up again but as soon as I hit another stinker, I’m off the author for good.

By: Sarah McCarty

Sarah McCarty — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:37:52 +0000

I’m a speed dater, looking for comittment. Hook me fast with the deep POV, characters, or voice, or I stroll on. I used to struggle through books to a certain number of chapters, but the reality was if they didn’t hook me in the first chapter the relationship just never had a chance. I seem to be very particular where I fall in love though I’m eager to fall in love. And I’m loyal once I do. I recently revisited an old love. The Lightning that Lingers by Sharon and Tom Curtis, a classic I rank up there with MacKenzies Mounain. It’s been almost twenty years since I read it, and I was sighing in love all love again by page two.

By: Shelly @ Bewitched

Shelly @ Bewitched — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:36:51 +0000

When I’m in the mood, I’m pretty easy. And on the off times that I’m just not feeling it, I’ll put a book back on the TBR and try something else and go back to it. If I go for a second round and still don’t feel it then it goes into the giveaway pile.

But for me it doesn’t matter if they are a new author or a tried and true, I go in thinking this is going to be the one!

By: Kate Moss

Kate Moss — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 02:08:21 +0000

I think there’s a difference between falling in love with a book and falling in love with a writer. When I fall in love with a book it’s all about the main characters. Do I know them, love them, want to throw my inhibitions to the wind and run up and hug them? If so, I usually end up forgiving most errors in the writing itself. This kind of love is hard and fast. It happens by the first chapter or not at all.

On the other hand, there are certain writers who are a joy to read. These are the ones who put words together in a way that makes my toes curl, whose sheer talent sparks envy. With these writers, it’s not the characters that get me, but the artistry with which character, plot, and style are brought together to create a vivid experience for the reader. In this case, each book is a courtship and love is never a sure thing until the very last page.

By: Laura Drewry

Laura Drewry — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 23:41:09 +0000

LOL – just re-read what I wrote and thought I should clarify something. Readers like Melissa should be commended for sticking with the books they’re not in love with, and reading through, because they might just find a treasure buried in the pages. But as Holly can attest to, patience is NOT one of my virtues, so I no doubt lose out on a lot of great books because I don’t stick with them.

By: Laura Drewry

Laura Drewry — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 23:36:10 +0000

Brilliant topic, Holly! To love a book is an amazing thing, and though I have a few authors I buy regularly, I try to pace myself so I don’t burn out on them. I want to keep loving them, which is easier to do if I alternate their books with something completely different (like Stephen King who I think is bloody brilliant all on his own!) There are a few books on my shelves that I *want* to love, I really do, so I keep them, year after year, but so far. . .it’s just not happening. I keep up the hope, though, because you never know. One day, it could just happen, much like the friend-now-husband.

Unlike Melissa, though, I don’t normally finish a book if the love ain’t there within the first few chapters. Reading time is precious (and there’s not nearly enough of it), so I’d rather spend that time falling in love with a book than slogging my way through one I don’t like. And the books I don’t finish. . .well, they end up back on my TBR shelf, because you just never know. . . . . .

Laura

By: Sophia Johnson

Sophia Johnson — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:52:06 +0000

Horrors, a rejection letter listing that reason makes me cringe. I picture spending the evening with a handsome man and enjoying his company in the dim light of a restaurant. But when you get home beneath the porch light and he bends down to kiss you (*snort* I’m short), you spy a big, red zit on the end of his nose. You just don’t love him enough to let your face get that close.

Eww! The book of my heart has a weepy zit!

Thanks for giving us an agent’s take on the letter. I’ll think about it differently from now on!

By: Ciar Cullen

Ciar Cullen — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:43:21 +0000

Oh, did you have to use THAT phrase? I loved the post, but I’ll still cringe when I see that in an email. “Just didn’t love it enough.” I wanted to scream, “how much is enough?” Could you learn to love it, with a few beers in you and an expensive dinner? How about jewelry?:lol:

By: Lynn Matherly

Lynn Matherly — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:21:12 +0000

I have several authors that I auto-buy. That practice has resulted in me no longer reading a few, too. They became cookie cutter, etc. to me.

But, I do read the blurbs to see if they intrigue me. The best hook for me is an excerpt I may read in the back of another book or on a blog, etc. If the writing style, pace, topic, characterization or whatever catch my attention, I’m likely to put it on my To Buy list.

I have gone back on occassion to the authors I stopped reading to see if the change in editor, genre or other factor is evident and improves the writing for me. I will admit though, that if I don’t like the characters, I’ll put a book down, because I just don’t care what happens to them anymore. Especially if I see no evolution in them.

By: Melissa Meeks

Melissa Meeks — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:57:53 +0000

Yes I do sometimes fall in love with a book or an author. However I have this issue with leaving things including a book unfinished so usually slog my way through to the end of even books I don’t get into. On a tight budget where books are concerned though I tend to try and borrow whatever I can get my hands on either from the library or friends that way if its a dud I haven’t wasted my book budget. If I really like an author I usually try and read everything they’ve had published even if I don’t buy it and if I dislike something they wrote I usually try and give them another chance or two by reading something else of theirs. In most cases the quality of writing is pretty consistent for a given author in my experience but a first try might not be up to my standards while later works have improved upon that initial effort. I also tend to ask other people what they’ve liked or disliked so I have a better idea what to avoid especially if we have similar tastes.