Let us be honest. Not all books are equal nor do they all make us weep or laugh with them. They all tell us a story but yet not all of them become our favorites. Have you given a thought about what are the things that make us like a book?
I found this #7ThingsILikeInABook tag on the bookstagram and I thought I will give it a try in here. So let us do this and try to name seven things I like in a book.
7) Unexpected plot twists
I mean do I even talk about this? Give me a strong plot with enough twists that would keep me hooked for hours together. Sadly for me I can usually I smell the twists from miles away and it is becoming more and more difficult to be surprised.
If you know any books with unexpected twists, let me know in the comments section.
6) Witty banter and some humor
I am a snarky person myself and while I love that lengthy philosophical monologue, I can’t get enough of books that make me laugh out loudly. And some humorous banter among the character makes it all the more realistic and appealing right?
5) Sassy females
Anyone else like badass heroines? I recently read Truth or beard by Penny Reid and I realized what I have been missing for a while now. Maybe I don’t want women who renounce men or maybe I do. Maybe I want the clinically insane or I would read about the ones that cure them.
Whatever they are just make your woman interesting, strong (in their own way) and more importantly witty and sassy.
4) Strong friendship bonding
I love reading a story with a real friendship, even if it is on the villain side of the story. Be it a fun, quirky and light hearted like in The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson or the heart warming friendships that would last a life time.
Don’t you love it when these friends not only play a formidable sidekick but also put in some sense to the leads?
3) Multiple time lines
I guess I love my books complicated. I get all perked the minute I realize that there are various timelines in a book. A multigenerational family saga or a murder mystery, either way having more than a timeline to follow makes it merrier for me.
So go ahead, confuse me all you can with multiple time lines and point of views!
2) Unreliable narrators
I know I have talked about this so many times now, but I love unreliable narrators. I mean who wouldn’t like the risk of trusting the narrator too much, only to find out they have been misled all along? Okay, just me!
1) Flawed characters
Nobody is perfect and I would not want my fictitious characters to be too perfect, will I? I love the flawed and morally grey ones more so than anyone sane should.
Show me characters that suffer making their choices, that are devil’s advocates or maybe the ones that will do anything to save their asses off and I will be hooked to your book till the end.
I Tag:
So I am gonna tag
- Sahi @ My World of Books
- Charvi @ Not Just Fiction
- Dany @ Ambivert Words
- Nandini @ Unputdownable Books
- Charlotte from Wonderfully Bookish
- Carrie from Cat on the Bookshelf
- Kristina @ Books And Dachshunds
Pin me!
Let us talk
Go on, tell me the things that make you not put the book down at all. Or yet better, consider yourself tagged and you want to give this tag a try and link it back to this post. Let us talk.
Plot twists, humor and strong friendships are things that you listed here which I also really enjoy to see in my books as well. x
I am glad we share these interests!
I love plot twists! Especially the twists that I can’t see coming. It makes me like the book so much more!
Such an interesting post.
Great ideas!
Loving the tag and your answers ❤️
Nice list, well-written!. I like the plot twists.
This is a great list and I really love multiple timelines too.
Such a great list. And all of these would be on mine too!
I like this tag! I am definitely with you on your book likes.
I love snark!
If you like multiple timelines, you may enjoy the book I just finished- The Crimson Heirlooms by Hunter Dennis. It has two alternating timelines, one set in 1776-1788, and one in the mid-1800s. Very good!
I love a good twist, but since I am a heavy contemporary reader, I don’t see too many of those. Love flawed characters, but banter, humor, and A friendships are tops for me.
I am glad we have similar tastes!
The unreliable narrator has me on the fence – it has to be done well or I get torqued
I totally get that!
This list is great! I especially agree with witty banter – I have needs for sarcasm and snark – and strong friendships. I am also all here for complicated family dynamics and compelling characters.
Yes dysfunctional families rock, at least in the fictional world!
Love this list! But I can totally agree with #5 and #6.
Yay! Glad we have similar tastes!
I think we have similar reading tastes! I love sassy characters (main or not), witty banter and humor, along with friendship (and family).
“Sadly for me I can usually I smell the twists from miles away and it is becoming more and more difficult to be surprised.” SAMEEEEEEEEE. I feel I’ve been reading way too many books that it’s just not surprising anymore most of the time? I usually guess pretty close if I don’t nail it. The last book that surprised me the most was This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada.
Soph, same-sies!! I am feeling bad when I rate a book with fewer stars just because I found the plot twist already.
I haven’t seen this tag yet but love your answers!
Give it a try when you can!