"I really wanted to like this book."
If I had $10 for every time I've seen that sentence in a review, I could update all the electronic devices in this house. But what does it mean? What makes a reader "want to like" a book?
When I start reading something, I don't go into it thinking I want to like it or dislike it. I just start reading. Of course I'd prefer to have an enjoyable experience -- it's frustrating as hell to trudge and stumble through a story -- so in that regard, every reader wants to like every book s/he picks up. But . . . what makes people single out certain titles to want to like?
Here are the only answers I could come up with:
You've spent a good chunk of change on the tome and don't want to feel ripped off.You've been looking forward to the story for months.A gazillion other readers have raved about the book, so, to be part of the happy herd, you want to be able to rave about it too.You find the author's online persona appealing; s/he seems like a good shit.
When I start reading something, I don't go into it thinking I want to like it or dislike it. I just start reading. Of course I'd prefer to have an enjoyable experience -- it's frustrating as hell to trudge and stumble through a story -- so in that regard, every reader wants to like every book s/he picks up. But . . . what makes people single out certain titles to want to like?
Here are the only answers I could come up with:
You've spent a good chunk of change on the tome and don't want to feel ripped off.You've been looking forward to the story for months.A gazillion other readers have raved about the book, so, to be part of the happy herd, you want to be able to rave about it too.You find the author's online persona appealing; s/he seems like a good shit.
Okay, all these reasons except the one relating to the herd mentality make some sense to me. By and large, though, I've been mystified by this desire-to-like statement for a good long while. Then I encountered a book I wanted to like, and I began to understand the sentiment.
It's a volume from Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden files. Why did I want to like it? Because I'm about ready to gag on UF heroines and I really crave an engaging, original UF hero. However, old Harry let me down.
I was hoping to get lost in this series. Instead, in one book alone, I encountered so many coincidences and convenient occurrences, and so many dumbasses repeatedly engaged in incomprehensible dumbassery (and I mean well beyond the normal parameters for suspension of disbelief), I'm not sure I want to risk my money on more of the same. Yes, I feel let-down. Where else can I turn to find the urban wizard of my dreams?
So . . . there's my reason for wanting to like a book. What are some of yours?
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Hi, Diane! Thanks so much for your input. By all means, suggest books to me. I love when people do!Yes, it was Storm Front I read, and it struck me as a holy mess. I kept either groaning in frustration or asking questions throughout, because so many of the story elements either annoyed the hell out of me or made no sense. (I can't even begin to give examples; the list would be too long.) I also despised Murphy and Morgan and wished fervidly they'd both bite the dust -- probably not a good reaction, since I assume they're ongoing characters. :)
Still, I'm willing to try one more book in the series. If the next one has all the same irritants, I'll likely call it quits. (And Twilight? Blech. I wouldn't even consider going there.)
Ouch, that is strong reaction for the 1st book. Because I love Harry Dresden from the get go. In fact, it's Harry Dresden that brings me into the UF world in the first place -- it's been 12 books so far and I have never been let down.I guess, like Diane said, I also enjoyed Rob Thurman's "Cal and Nico Leandros" series, ALTHOUGH, it's more "messy" than Harry Dresden. Other UF hero that reminds me of Harry Dresden will be Mark Del Franco's "Connor Grey".
But, you need to consider that this comes from a huge Harry Dresden fan. So, I might not be a good person to suggest it to you either *grin*
Hey there, Ami! As I told Diane, I'm always happy to have books recommended to me. Coming upon an author whose voice and vision I love is enormously gratifying. The joy of discovery is a unique delight. I checked out other readers' reactions to the first Dresden book, and some were nearly identical to mine. So, I guess, it's entirely a matter of personal standards and expectations. Maybe I'm a more nitpicky reader because I'm also a writer and was once an editor. Even if I can't see the weaknesses in my own work (I'm just too close to it), the nagging little blemishes and inconsistencies in others' stories do tend to jump out at me.
If, for example, I could figure out during Monica's visit to Harry's office that her husband had some involvement in those murders, why didn't the Great and Powerful Wizard at least feel a niggle of suspicion? And why was Dresden the object of such persecutorial fervor, by the police as well as Morgan, given he had no logical motive for slaughtering people? And why does he need a telephone to communicate with members of the White Council? And why...why...why...? My list of questions goes on and on.
I'll probably give Harry Dresden one more try, though, and I'll definitely check out Rob Thurman's series. Thanks for mentioning it!
Boy, I hear ya, Lisa. I also approach new fiction with a kind of blazing hope, so I'm usually setting myself up to be let down. In my case (and I should know this by now), the Critical Eye Syndrome seizes me and often undermines my enjoyment of a book. It's a rare piece of fiction that doesn't allow the syndrome to surface, and that's the kind that brings me the most profound satisfaction.
Of course, there are stories I relish in spite of their shortcomings, because their ability to carry me away overrides their slip-ups. (Normal Miguel comes immediately to mind.) I'm perfectly content reading that kind of fiction, too. It's only when the stumbles interfere with my "escape" that I begin to get testy, and I'm afraid that's what happened with Storm Front.
Hm. I've heard a lot about Ilona Andrews -- mostly good, as I recall -- but I don't think I'm ready for a UF heroine. Since I'm firmly in m/m romance mode right now, what I'd really love to find is a gay UF hero. But then, I'm so beguiled by my own urban wizard, Jackson Spey, I'm not sure any others could measure up to him -- at least in my eyes. ;-)
but I don't think I'm ready for a UF heroineWell, I was in that mood awhile ago, dying to find UF hero in by way reminding me of Harry Dresden (again, this coming from a Harry Dresden fans, okay?) :D. While there are several names but I haven't really read them all, but here are the names I found from Goodreads.
Rob Thurman: Cal and Nico Leandros series
Mark Del Franco: Connor Grey series
John Levitt: Dog Days series
J.F. Lewis: Void City series
Harry Connolly: Twenty Palaces series
K.A. Stewart's A Devil in the Details
Kate Griffin: Matthew Swift series
Mike Carey: Felix Castor series
then some books by Simon R. Green and Thomas E. Sniegoski
I have only read the first two I mentioned. As for gay UF hero, just like Lisa said, I loved Andrea Speed's "Infected" series. But since it's a free read, maybe yeah, turn off your inner editor. And while Jordan Castillo Price Psycop series is not really UF but the main hero can see ghosts :). And there are two stories by A.M. Riley about vampires Immortality is the Suck and No Rest for the Wicked, which MIGHT fall into UF category?
oh seeing this list from you Ami makes me so happy. we seem to have very similar tastes and I am taking some notes :). I have read some Mark Del Franco since his name comes up with Rob's when you do the search at Kindle lol. I don't know if anyone is interested in Epic Fantasy, but if so...I'm currently reading The Way of the Kings by Brandon Sanderson he is quickly winning my heart.
If the only book you've read of the Dresden Files is the first one, I suggest you take the plunge once more. I found the first book to be a little rough going, as if he hadn't quite settled into the characters or something yet. However, I'm so sick of the drivel in most of what constitutes fantasy books these days I went back a second time and I was hooked.
I cannot promise this will happen to you. I didn't feel as strongly about the first one as you seem to have. Mostly I was left with an 'eh could have been better" feeling. And seriously, if you hate something you just hate it. I feel that way about Twilight and some other popular series I won't mention. However, I think it's worth a shot for you simply because the series is so much fun and Jim's imagination is awesome.
If you are looking for some rough and tumble fantasy, have you read Rob Thurman? I enjoy her Cal Leandros series quite a lot. (though since I love Harry Dresden I may not be the right person to suggest books to you lol)