Top Ten Tuesday: Things That Make Me Pick Up a Book

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.


This week's Top Ten Tuesday topic: 
Things That Make Me Pick Up a Book

We all have them. Those tropes or keywords or settings that make us all the more likely to pick up a particular book. Some are popular (boarding school settings seems to be one that many people love) and some are a lot more unique and individual. Here are my picks along with some of my favorite examples of each.


SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE
Yeah, this one is more broad in spectrum and less specific, but even so - I'm a sucker for a good second-chance romance. I like the thought of true love never really going away and that two people who are meant to be together will find a way.

    

LETTERS/EMAILS
I don't know why, but I really enjoy a story that is told either in part, or fully, through letters and/or emails. Maybe it's the romantic in me that gets a little swoony at the thought of someone taking the time to write a letter and put their feelings down on paper. 

  

YOUNG PERSON WITH GREAT RESPONSIBILTY/
MATURE FOR AGE
I find this comes into play more with a male character than a female character, but having a main character who is carrying a lot of responsibility on his shoulders at a young age is like an instant win for me. Whether he is handling the responsibility well, or buckling under the pressure, doesn't matter. I am so behind a character who takes on great responsibility either by choice or by circumstance. Same for a character who shows maturity beyond his years. Katie McGarry is a master at writing these types of characters.

    

MORALLY GRAY CHARACTERS
This one is pretty self explanatory but my interest always kicks up a notch when I hear that a story features a morally gray character. I mean, few people are all good or all bad. So when a book explores that I'm intrigued. My favorite is when a villain does something completely out of character or shows kindness.

    

FRIENDS TO LOVERS
It seems like most romance readers are all about the hate-to-love trope. But not me. Nope, I'm all about the best friends to lovers. I like seeing a couple who are already friends take their relationships to the next level. They already know they get along and that they're compatible. And when they realize that they now have feelings that go beyond friendship... I love it. :)

    

TRAPPED TOGETHER
Another favorite is when the couple in question find themselves trapped somewhere together. That forced togetherness is a big check mark for me.

    


FORBIDDEN/TABOO RELATIONSHIP
There are a lot of aspects that could make a relationship fall into the forbidden/taboo category. A boss/employee dynamic, a sketchy background (criminal history), one or both people are not single/available, etc. The forbidden aspect is definitely a draw (in fiction, not real life).

    

BAD BOY + GOOD GIRL
I know, I know. This is one trope that has been done to death. Clear back to Heathcliff and Catherine in Wuthering Heights. It's overused and played out. But I'm still trash for it. 

    

AGE DIFFERENCE
This one sometimes gets lumped in with the forbidden relationship trope, but I'm not talking creepy under-age age differences here. These are legal, of age, consenting adults - but with an age gap. Maybe my personal experience plays into my love of this one (there is a 14 year age gap between my husband and me) but romances with an age difference are among my favorites.

    

SWEET, CINNAMON ROLL GUYS
Sure, I love a good alpha now and then, but I also have a soft spot for the sweet, cinnamon rolls. They guys who are kind. Who are listeners. Who aren't cocky or snarky or broody. But sweet and generous and give their hearts willingly. All together now... awww!

    


What makes you pick up a book?
Do we share any favorites?

42 comments

  1. Great list! Second chance romance is a good one; I love meeting characters who have that kind of history between them.

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    1. Same, Jess! I love it when the two main characters already have a background and manage to find their way back together. :)

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  2. Excellent list -- in particular, morally gray characters really do make for the best characters to read about.

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    1. So agree, Verushka! It's much more interesting to delve into a character that has a lot going on and isn't one-sided.

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  3. How did I forget like all of these ?? Yes to all of them - especially sweet guys!

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    1. My heart absolutely melts for the sweet guys, Grace. :)

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    1. Yes! I don't read too many of those "trapped together" stories but I love when I do. :)

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  5. I really enjoyed The Girl He Used to Know, even though some aspects were a little too “perfect.” Great list of books!

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    1. That was one of those books where everything just clicked for me. I love when that happens! :)

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  6. Grey characters and epistolary formats are all great reasons.

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  7. Ooh yes, I love friends to lovers romance and morally grey characters!
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2019/04/02/top-ten-tuesday-205/

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  8. Stories that are told partially or wholly through letters/emails are so interesting. Great choice there.

    My <a href="http://www.lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-things-that-make-me-pick-up-a-book/“>post</a>.

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    1. Those always tend to draw me right into the story so quickly.

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  9. Morally grey characters will always make me pick a book. The exploration of the duality good/bad is simply fascinating.

    Happy readings! ;)
    Tânia @MyLovelySecret

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  10. I like a good second chance romance, too. Sometimes they're more reflective of how real life works than other types of romances.

    Happy TTT!

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  11. I love second chance romance too. I also love friends to lovers, hate to love, forbidden and bad boys... A combination of these elements? Just take my money!

    A good cover is also a surefire way to hook me. 🙂

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    1. Oh my goodness, a book that combined them all... I couldn't handle it! LOL

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  12. Now that's what I call TASTE. I agree with literally all of these and I love that you listed so many of my favourite books in here. I just love all of these qualities/tropes/whatever you want to call them and ugh, YES. Just, yes.

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    1. Well thanks! :) Any of these just 100% do it for me in a book.

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  13. Letters/ emails are great even though I haven't read that many. Did you ever read Letters from Skye? I don't know if it's your kind of book but I thought it was pretty good, and it's entirely told in letters.

    Trapped together scenarios and second chances are always nice too! :)

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    1. I haven't either, Greg, but I really like a story being told that way. I'm off to look up Letters From Skye right now.

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  14. I love an alternate/mixed format too. I read a lot and switching it up in any way is a plus, especially if the author uses the different formats well. Second chance romances are my ultimate favorite. I love the history and idea of all not being lost.

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    1. Same here, Sam. I appreciate different formats. I've never been able to get into books told in verse but almost every other format I've read has interested me. And second-chance romances are a great big win for me!

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  15. You have compiled a wonderful list here. And I have to say, it never really occurred to me, but I also love the trope where a young person has too much on their shoulders. It really does make for a great story. And any time I see the cover of HIM in a post, I know it's a good one. LOL Michael from TKQ...swoon!

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    1. I love what you said about the Him cover, Angie. Too funny. :) And Michael from TKQ... love him! I just started The Bride Test and I'm hoping he'll make an appearance!

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  16. I love your list! I'm a big fan of the second chance romance and those lovely cinnamon roll boys too. :)

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    1. Second chance romance is such an immediate draw for me.

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  17. Yes to most of these. I absolutely love second chance romance and lately unconventional relationships, but nothing too taboo - have not tried those
    Letters/Emails/ Anon idenity are one of my favorites.

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    1. I haven't read all that many books that were told through letters/emails but I've really enjoyed the ones I've come across so far.

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  18. I'm a big sucker for second chance romances, letters/emails are fun too. Loved The Attachments and Alex Approximately, too! Friends to more is also a favorite, and yes, Josh & Hazel. Bad boy and good girl is always fun, as long as he's not too much of a jerk. I do love a nice guy, like Michael in The Kiss Quotient, and Josh. Trapped together is another fun trope. I think I have a copy of Frigid and never got around to it. Thanks for the reminder. Great post here, Tanya! :)

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    1. I think Attachments is still my favorite by Rainbow Rowell (well, tied with Eleanor & Park). Frigid was a good read. Not my favorite contemporary by Armentrout but still still enjoyable.

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  19. Morally gray characters can be so interesting when done right. And yes, I love when characters are trapped somewhere, forced together to sort out their feelings and all that tension that of course they have! Lol. I also like second chance romance and age gap and sweet cinnamon roll guys in the books I read :-)

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    1. Morally gray characters are fascinating! I love to figure them out and learn what drives them to make the choices they do.

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  20. I love books told in emails/letters. I always have! And I like morally gray characters as well. While I'm someone who likes enemies to lovers, I really do love friends to lovers as well. Forbidden romances are pretty awesome too!! :)

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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