What is the Secret to a Great Book?

Books and the characters in them are my constant companions.

I am never without a book. I take a book with me while I wait in line at the post office, at the doctor’s office, in the beauty salon, when I’m in the car and my husband just wants to “run” into Home Depot (and I know he’ll be gone forever), while I’m watching television and when I go to sleep at night. And yes, sometimes even at the dinner table.

I remember the days growing up when I’d read under the covers with a flashlight when I was supposed to be asleep. Going to the mobile library or the library down the street, after they built it, was always a treasured experience.

I’m in a great neighborhood book club in Roswell, so I asked some of my fellow members and friends what they think makes a great book or what they enjoy most about a book. I’d like to share those comments with you because as readers, I think we’d all like to know the secret.  

“I always look for creative (and beautiful) use of language and writing that takes me into the emotional stance of the characters.” - Abby

“When I read, I most enjoy a story about relationships with moral dilemmas. The dilemma gives me much to think about and to measure my own choice against that of the author. I also look for lyrical language, fresh similes and descriptive narrative which makes me feel the time and place. A great book has all these elements and makes me really care about the characters because by the end of the book they are quite real to me and I am sad to see them go.” - Melinda

“I look for a book that intrigues me from page one – characters with whom I feel a connection and actually care about, a story that entertains me or moves me to tears.” - Rae

“There are several factors which influence whether or not I will like a book. First, I like the characters to have substance, something that draws me into their lives and makes me want to go past page 30, or so. Also the writing style is important. While I enjoy fairly descriptive prose, I also like the author to have some facts or “meat” to his or her story...not just a lot of words on a page. A good read for me is a book that I still think of after I have put it down...especially if I find myself being drawn back to reading it throughout the day.”  - Jackie

“I like authenticity in the characters and or settings. If the main character is so flawed/dumb that I don’t respect them it’s hard to buy into the story. Or, as in location/settings...if someone is writing about a real place, Atlanta for instance, and they use an accurate street name or direction one minute and then go way off the chart with names or directions/climates that don’t resemble any truth to the area the next minute. That really bugs me. Whether it’s general fiction or fantasy, I just like my characters to gain my respect. And I guess I like to escape into the story and not be jolted out of the story by some inaccuracy of research.” - Kim 

Spoiler Alert: The endings of two books are revealed. 

"First and foremost in fiction reading for me is the plot. I will plow through a book to find out what happens. Many a time I have found myself closing a book in the middle of the night. My guilty pleasure:  detective fiction, especially for 'beach books.'
Second: Characterization. I don’t know how they define this in writers’ courses, but I want a fully developed character who is both likeable and real as well as nuanced. I want to see a character revealed as the book develops.  The character’s actions and conflicts have to be believable in the context created by the author. I don’t like them too perfect. Beautiful, willowy heroines with perfect hair and skin tick me off. Especially when they are supposedly unaware of being goddesses.
Third: Use of language. I like descriptive language when it fleshes out the scene. This is a thing of beauty when well done; something I just skip over to get to the plot when pedestrian.
Conflict/Resolution: The conflict/tension is better if it involves something that interests me, but it is more important that the resolution ring true. No Deus ex machina for me. I’m angry about the resolution in 'My Sister’s Keeper.' All that drama about creating a child to harvest parts, and then the author has the child die in a car crash. I will never buy another book of hers. Contrast that with, say, 'Elegance of the Hedgehog.' That author managed to get me to care about a crotchety woman and then had me crying when she died." - Catherine

“I like historical fiction or stories about other cultures with characters I care about that make it more interesting.”-Joyce                                                                                                                                                       Joyce

Joyce, works as an information specialist at a library. She says, “Library patrons seem to like mysteries by authors such as James Patterson and David Baldacci. Other popular writers are Danielle Steele, anything by Nora Roberts and paperback romances.”

Joyce notes that because of the popularity of the Harry Potter series, more and more popular fiction authors are writing young adult books. As examples, she cites James Patterson, Carl Hiaasen and Isabel Allende.

“I also keep a stash of books I recommend for men—adventures, suspense and espionage. Our check-outs are increasing because it’s so expensive to buy books,” reports Joyce, who adds that a lot of people are “checking out” eBooks. 

Personally, I love humor in a book and one with a satisfying ending, although I hate to see a good book come to an end.

What do you think makes a book great?