Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.
This Week's Top Ten Tuesday Topic:
Things That Make Me Want to Read a Book
Whether it's a trope, a setting, or a character type, there are definitely certain aspects that will instantly draw me to a book. Do we share any of the same things that make us want to read a particular book? Let me know in the comments!
1. COMPANION NOVEL SERIES
Give me a series where each book can stand alone but shares the same setting/cast of characters and I am there.
2. FIRST PERSON/DUAL POV
I'm not saying that I won't read a book with a third person POV, but it's not my preference. I love first person POV, and when there's dual/multiple POV's - even better!
3. PINING/UNREQUITED LOVE
Maybe I'm a glutton for (emotional) punishment, but bring on the pining. When a synopsis hints at a pining hero or heroine (or better yet, mutual pining) or unrequited love, I'm instantly interested.
4. DAMAGED/TORTURED HERO
Give me a broody, tortured hero and I'm there. I will wallow in all the angst right along with him.
5. SWEET/CINNAMON ROLL HERO
On the flipside, I also love the nice guys. The absolute sweethearts who openly adore their partner and go the extra mile.
6. FORCED PROXIMITY
When characters are forced together in close quarters due to circumstances beyond their control, and feelings are already simmering, that's a recipe for goodness.
7. FRIENDS TO LOVERS
This is probably my favorite trope (right up there with second chance romance) and if friends becoming more than friends is mentioned in the synopsis, it's going to grab my attention fast.
8. SECOND CHANCE
My other favorite trope. I love the idea that some loves are just meant to be. Sometimes timing or circumstances may end a relationship, but getting to see two characters reconnect does my heart good.
9. AGE GAP ROMANCE
This seems to be a love it or hate it trope, but I've always been a fan. (Maybe because there's quite a gap between my husband and I.)
10. SMALL TOWN SETTING
I've done a 180 on this one over the years. I used to seek out books set in big cities and large urban areas. For some reason, now I much prefer a small town setting.
What makes you want to pick up a book?
I used to hate Friends to Lovers, but I appreciate it a little more now. Enemies to Lovers is still my favorite 😅
ReplyDeleteTabitha - Funny how we are opposite on the one. :) You prefer enemies to lovers and I like friends to lovers.
DeleteI really enjoy a good Enemies to Lovers; I find the angst/struggle of it fascinating! I love when the main characters are LGBT+, and I'm a big fan of witty banter.
ReplyDeleteLauren @ www.shootingstarsmag.net
Lauren - I notice a lot more people seem to prefer the tension of enemies to lovers. I seem to be in the minority. :)
DeleteI’m so curious about Wolfsong.
ReplyDeleteHere is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
Lydia
Lydia - I just read Wolfsong last month and I am certain it will be among my favorites of the year.
DeleteCan I just say a big YES to all of these? They would have me picking up a book, too! Third person POV might actually have me DNF'ing or avoiding a book. I'm all about that first person.
ReplyDeleteDeanna - Yes! I find third person such a turn-off. I follow very few authors that write in 3rd POV.
DeleteI love small town settings, especially for a mystery novel. Insular, innocent-looking places hiding big, juicy secrets? Count me in!
ReplyDeleteHappy TTT!
Susan - Small towns where there's something simmering under the surface is always fun!
DeleteFirst person multiple POV are great to read, if they're done right. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between the characters because they aren't separate enough to tell them apart.
ReplyDeletePam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/recent-additions-to-my-physical-tbr-may-2023/
Pam - It's great to find authors that can write characters with truly distinctive voices.
DeleteI have no idea what makes me pick a book these days lol It's so damn random. Now that I do audiobooks - I start and stop several looking for something that clicks.
ReplyDeleteKaren @For What It's Worth
Karen - I wonder now what I ever did before audiobooks!
DeleteI do like a good 1st person POV, and duals as well. Small town settings can be fun too.
ReplyDeleteGreg - 1st person POV, for sure. 3rd person always sucks me right out of the story.
DeleteLove your list. I'm a big YES on the whole tortured hero, as well as the forced proximity trope and that small town setting. :D
ReplyDeleteLark - Now we need a tortured hero, forced into close quarters with the heroine, in a small town. The perfect book! :)
DeleteYes!!! I would so read that book. :D
DeleteFriends-to-Lovers and second chance romances are big draws for me. I like small towns too, and companions are always a fun way to return to a world I enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteSam - I know enemies-to-lovers seems to be the preference of most, but I'm all about a couple who already had this strong friendship bond, and then discovers their feelings run deeper. Gets me every time. :)
DeleteI love all these reasons too, Tanya! This would've been a difficult TTT for me, but you nailed it! Forced proximity, second chance romance, friends to lovers, small town romance. Yes to all of the above. Loved The Wall of Winnipeg and Me, Hidden Waters, Simple Wild, Always Only You, and Archer's Voice, too!
ReplyDeleteRachel - I'm a sucker for all of those tropes. If they're alluded to in the synopsis... I'm there! :)
DeleteHades Hangmen will always have a place in my heart. Absolutely love it. I want to read age gap but haven't yet. Also, small town setting is always something I love in movies (Hart of Dixie is one of my fave shows) yet I've never read a book with that setting. I need to change that lol
ReplyDeleteMolly - I had the first Hades Hangmen book on my shelf for years before finally read it earlier this year. Then I started bingeing the series like crazy. lol
DeleteI love small town settings myself, I've read several K.A. Tucker books. Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/things-getting-in-the-way-of-reading/
ReplyDeleteStefani - I'm a sucker for a small town setting. I love how the people that live there become part of the story.
DeleteSmall town settings are really fun, and I love a dual POV in romances - it's nice to get the story from both perspectives!
ReplyDeleteAngela - I agree. I always want to get both MC's perspectives.
DeleteI love small town settings too! As well as forced proximity, friends to lovers and a cinnamon roll hero <3 Oh, and yes to pining too, give me all the pining :)
ReplyDeleteLindsey - I am such a sucker for a pining character. I love it! :)
DeleteI just love seeing your answers and seeing what draws you to a story. I used to hate 1st POV when it first came out. But now I can transition easily between both 1st and 3rd. Normally its more character types that draw me to a story over tropes. But if it has a trope I don't like like secret baby or love triangle, it will take me longer to read it. I am not sure what exactly draws me to a book though. Most times its a cover lol or if its a book that is highly recommended by trusted reviewers that have similar reading tastes to mine.
ReplyDeleteRenee - Hm, interesting that it's character types that draw you to a book. I would think it would be the same for me because I am such a character-based reader. But I find that I always consider tropes first before I decide whether to look closer at a book.
DeleteI also prefer first person POV, I like actually being in the character's head rather than feeling like I'm just watching them. I will read third person POV (and most of the books I read are tbh as that's a more popular narrative style) but I prefer first person.
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2023/05/23/top-ten-tuesday-421-the-literary-dinner-party-2022-tag/
Jo - I read primarily contemporary romance and I find that 1st person POV is used a lot. I'm thankful for that!
DeleteSmall town and second chance romances always make me want to pick up a book. Oh and if there's a found family.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne - Found family is a big one. I loved that aspect when I read Wolfsong recently.
DeleteGreat list! I love friends to lovers and cinnamon roll heroes! I don't think I've ever really thought about what POV I prefer. I think I'm good with either one. What I really hate is when the book is in present tense!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - Yes! Present tense always feels so awkward.
DeleteUm, I'd say yes to most of these, as well! Especially pining/unrequited love. Gets me every time. 😃
ReplyDeleteDedra - Big yes on the pining. I'm always there for it. :)
DeleteGreat list! I can't say that you have any here that I won't read. Of these my faves are probably damaged hero, friends to lovers, and small town.
ReplyDeleteAlison - I don't know what it is about a damaged hero, but I'm always there for it!
DeleteYes. To ALL of these. Especially cinnamon rolls, pining and forced proximity! :)
ReplyDeleteI love flawed characters as well! And of course I must read the sequel!
ReplyDelete