What's the most important thing in a book?

[A]

The characters? The writing? the setting? Or the story?? Or it could be something totally different such as the message/meaning of the book?

What, according to you is the most important thing in a book?

[Andrea]

1. A strong character
2. It needs to have an original story line
3. It needs to be well written

[Erica]

1. Love interest
2. It has to flow like a smooth river with few rocks in between, I don't wanna have a (HUH?) moment.
3.Love (NO LOVE TRIANGLE)

[Roseanne]

It needs to be well written. I hate reading a book and thinking where was the editor?

[A]

I think the story, characters, and the style of writing is the most important...

[Bethan]

I like when a book is easy, where the author doesn't over describe things. Good strong characters that are likeable and a good story to back it all up

[A]

Bethan wrote: "I like when a book is easy, where the author doesn't over describe things. Good strong characters that are likeable and a good story to back it all up"

Even i like it when the authors doesn't over-describe things. I like short, easy, to-the-point writing.

[Aditi]

1. Characterization- Strong
2. Book Cover and title- Catchy
3. Plot- Intriguing

[Ipshita]

For me, it has to be in the following order:
1. Well-developed main characters- I can stand everything if the characters are likeable. I have given a few books only one star because of its lousy character even though the plot and other things were passable.

2. Writing- I don't like descriptive writings where the author goes on to dedicate half a dozen pages only to describe a meadow or a lake. I do believe descriptions are important but describing a simple scenery for pages, just so the book becomes thick as a dictionary is just stretching it too far. That makes me lose interest in the actual story.

3. Closure- I want the books that I read to have a proper ending. I'm not talking of series where each book ends in a cliffhanger (I can't stand cliffhangers). But if the story is a stand alone , and the author doesn't plan on releasing a sequel, he should give it a proper closure.

4. Plot- An interesting plot is important, also there has to be something in the plot of a story that makes it unusual or separated from the usual clichés.

5. HEA- A satisfying happily-ever-after is a weakness of mine. For me, it can increase a book from 2 stars to 3 or even 4 stars.

[Kritika]

Ipshita wrote: "For me, it has to be in the following order:
1. Well-developed main characters- I can stand everything if the characters are likeable. I have given a few books only one star because of its lousy c..."

I saw this thread and was going to write a big post describing my views. Then I saw your post and it was like a mirror image of what my post(in my mind).:P:P

[Ipshita]

That happens with me too, Kriti :P

[Kritika]

Ipshita wrote: "That happens with me too, Kriti :P"

:):P

[CheckOutMyBooks]

I was oddly enough thinking about this today when I stumbled across this group (love the idea by the way, so a big thank you to whoever made it)!
I think the most important aspect has to be likeable characters, if you can't stand the characters you can't get lost in the book.

[Quirky Omega]

I agree with all that Ipshita has said. Adding to that, I need the romance to develop over time. I need to see the two main characters thinking about what they're feeling and develop on that thought. I can't just have the characters suddenly saying "I looove you", after having known each other for a short time. The books should have various scenes where we get to see the characters interacting with each other, get to know each other properly. Otherwise it'll all just seem like a mere infatuation.

[Ipshita]

I agree, Pink. If the characters aren't likeable it takes out all the fun from a story.

[Ipshita]

Omegaeyes11 wrote: "I agree with all that Ipshita has said. Adding to that,..."

I'm also not a big fan of insta-love. However, in books where the characters have been say friends/acquaintances or (in case of paranormal series) a reincarnation, then I can accept the concept of instant love. Otherwise, it's mostly just insta-attraction, that sometimes turn into love. This theme is very popular in NA books, where lust is often shown to be disguised as love, and I can only roll my eyes at such naivete.

[CheckOutMyBooks]

I totally agree with Ipshita, insta-love takes all the romance out of a story!

[Sarye]

Yep. Pretty much what Ipshita said. Especially the characters and the writing. Also any combinations of those going wrong may doom the whole book. Like a good plot can't save the story if the characters are terrible, etc.