5 Ways to Make Me Want to Read a Book

This post should be subtitled “and why you don’t probably want to do any of these things,” because I have WEIRD TASTES — and I’m also basic at the same time — so honestly, write a good book and don’t worry about who will and won’t like it.

But all the same, since this is my blog, I reserve the right to do a selfish post that talks about things that make me want to read a book (before actually reading it) (after which I already have, so it’s more … “things that make me love a book,” period) (this is not that post).

Let’s not lolly-gag, folks. Time’s a wastin’! Onward to the actual post …

#1: The covers, mates.

This one’s kinda obvious. If there’s a gorgeous cover, I’m more likely to read.

Though some things are set in stone, like making a cover that works in your genre and doesn’t look like a no-talent 3rd grader photoshopped it (and to show I’m fair, could be a no-talent 4th grader, too) …

There are some things that are subjective.

For traditional publishers, this is decided by a graphic design team, but for an indie author, well, if you want to have me as your reader (and only me!), well, here are some styles I love!

(Also, I just did random photos from Goodreads. So ignore the fact that most of my favorites are not here. DON’T EXPECT ME TO WORK HARD WHEN I CAN WORK JUST A BIT! I am a lazy creature.)

#2: A fantastical premise that is immediately obvious.

Look, y’all. I’m dumb. And I have the attention span of a goldfish with ADHD. Sadly, though, not very many books immediately state what makes them unique and special. They just … don’t.

If you tell me you’ve written a great historical romance, and it has a fun cover, then I’m mildly interested. But if you tell me you’ve written a great historical romance, and your tagline is something like, “Spies are taught to expect the unexpected—but she didn’t expect to fall in love with the  enemy.”

Well, I’m buying it.

Of course, my “cool premise” is another woman’s clichéd and annoying premise, but that’s entirely beside the point. I love me something that immediately stands out.

Some books that, to me, immediately stood out premise-wise? These are the ones that come to mind:

#3: The blurb continues to intrigue me.

I generally only glance over blurbs, but if the premise was intriguing enough, I’ll actually read it.