When I don’t want to put it down; when I don’t want it to end; when it challenges or changes my thinking on something; when I want to tell everyone about it and make them read it too ?
When I can’t put it down to adult and when I’m scared to finish it because I don’t want it to end but have to finish it because I need to know the ending
This is a really thought provoking question! I would say a book is a good read when it captures my attention fully, and makes me not want to put it down. I think a good book also should have characters that you either identify with, or feel as if they could be a part of your life. Also I have a few books that I absolutely love and I’m sad that I’ll never be able to read them for the first time again.
When I don’t want to put it down, when I learn something new and interesting, when it keeps my attention from beginning to end, when it sticks with me after it is over, or when I fall in love with the characters and I miss them when I am finished reading. If a book meets all of these criteria, well I am telling everyone about it and insisting that they read it!! ?
Also: when it inspires me to do something new or pursue something that I love but I’ve been afraid of or procrastinating on. One of my favorite lines from The First Phone Call From Heaven is: “Fear is how you lose your life…a little bit at a time…What we give to fear, we take away from…faith.”
When I truly just enjoyed it. I don’t care how well written a book is so long as I can say I enjoyed the story. I’ve had perfectly good books ruined by plot twists I didn’t enjoy or endings that felt desperate. I’ve also learned to compartmentalize book types so I can enjoy them without comparing them to different genres or authors.
When I’m sorry it ended. When it’s good enough that I want to read more of the author’s work. When my husband asks me if I can work other topics besides the book into our casual conversation. When I recommend it to random people in random places like Target just so I can talk about it a little. When I meet someone else who’s read it and there’s an instant bond (even if the other person didn’t like the book) because of the shared experience of having read the same book. When years later someone asks for a good recommendation in a certain category and the title immediately springs to mind. When I walk through the world differently because of the ideas explored.
For me to love a book it has to stick with me after I’m done. The characters need to seem like real people in real life situations. This is why I LOVE Kristin Hannah, she has the ability to do that, every time for me.
I have a habit of talking out loud my thoughts when I am reading. Sometime it just an exclamation, or laugh, and other times it’s me yelling at the characters or crying with them. When i find all of these elements, that is a good book to me.
Can’t put it down, stay up way too late reading at night, put it on the side table in our living room instead of in book case when done so I remember to pass it along to first person around who I think would like it too.
I started reading Circe at around noon today, and just told hubby I wasn’t going to stop to make dinner, so we are ordering Indian. So that qualifies as good.
I want to feel like I know the characters as if I’d met them in person. I want to be able to see the scenery as if it were real, to be able to picture it in my mind without a picture to go by. I want to feel the emotions in my bones.
I cant put it down, take it to bed with me, close my door and eat at my desk so i can continue to read it at work, talk about it incessantly — think about the characters for days after Im done, recommending it to anyone who makes eye contact. Geez, does this make me sound annoying?
If I talk about it to others while I’m reading and recommend it. I rarely make recommendations about anything. Also when I keep thinking about the story after I am done with the book and have moved on to others.
If I am still thinking about it months/years after I’ve read it. Or find myself craving more like it once I’m done. It’s a subtle way to realize that it really engrossed me. Which is always awesome, when it becomes a part of your thoughts and your imagination.
Connection within the characters or story. A book that keeps me on the edge of wondering what’s next or if it helps me reconsider events I my own life. A book that helps me understand myself or the people in my life better. One that helps me escape every day life and be transported into a whole new dimension of reality.
Keeps my interest throughout, satisfying ending, makes me feel something (good or bad)
When I don’t want to put it down
This ☝️
I agree! I’m in the middle of 3 other books but started a fourth and read it in a day. If I sacrifice daily tasks to read, I’m loving it.
When I don’t want to put it down; when I don’t want it to end; when it challenges or changes my thinking on something; when I want to tell everyone about it and make them read it too ?
When I can’t put it down to adult and when I’m scared to finish it because I don’t want it to end but have to finish it because I need to know the ending
Well written, captures my attention, well researched and resources (since most books I read are nonfiction).
When I keep thinking about for days after, even after starting another book.
A satisfying, not predictable ending. A storyline that keeps me thinking – and characters that stay with me
This is a really thought provoking question! I would say a book is a good read when it captures my attention fully, and makes me not want to put it down. I think a good book also should have characters that you either identify with, or feel as if they could be a part of your life. Also I have a few books that I absolutely love and I’m sad that I’ll never be able to read them for the first time again.
When I am so absorbed that I don’t hear a thing happening around me… but the key words,
“help. Fire. Blood.” ?
When I don’t want to put it down, when I learn something new and interesting, when it keeps my attention from beginning to end, when it sticks with me after it is over, or when I fall in love with the characters and I miss them when I am finished reading. If a book meets all of these criteria, well I am telling everyone about it and insisting that they read it!! ?
What she said. 🙂
When I think about it for days after finishing it.
When I find myself thinking about it when I’m doing something besides reading it.
@Rachel. I was going to say the same thing. It makes me want to hurry to get back to the characters
The Ending!
I’m really picky…it has to have a unique plot, and storyline can’t be easily predicted
Also: when it inspires me to do something new or pursue something that I love but I’ve been afraid of or procrastinating on. One of my favorite lines from The First Phone Call From Heaven is: “Fear is how you lose your life…a little bit at a time…What we give to fear, we take away from…faith.”
If I connect with the characters and really care about their story.
When you miss the characters after you are done!
Also if you laugh out loud and or cry.
When I truly just enjoyed it. I don’t care how well written a book is so long as I can say I enjoyed the story. I’ve had perfectly good books ruined by plot twists I didn’t enjoy or endings that felt desperate. I’ve also learned to compartmentalize book types so I can enjoy them without comparing them to different genres or authors.
When I’m sorry it ended. When it’s good enough that I want to read more of the author’s work. When my husband asks me if I can work other topics besides the book into our casual conversation. When I recommend it to random people in random places like Target just so I can talk about it a little. When I meet someone else who’s read it and there’s an instant bond (even if the other person didn’t like the book) because of the shared experience of having read the same book. When years later someone asks for a good recommendation in a certain category and the title immediately springs to mind. When I walk through the world differently because of the ideas explored.
If it made me laugh out loud, gasp out loud, get teary eyed, get all philosophical, or just smile non stop. A good shock in the plot always helps too.
If it’s predictable and makes me roll my eyes then it sucked ?
When I’m sad it’s over and I keep thinking about it over the next few days, or sometimes when I compare it to other books I’m reading.
For me to love a book it has to stick with me after I’m done. The characters need to seem like real people in real life situations. This is why I LOVE Kristin Hannah, she has the ability to do that, every time for me.
I have a habit of talking out loud my thoughts when I am reading. Sometime it just an exclamation, or laugh, and other times it’s me yelling at the characters or crying with them. When i find all of these elements, that is a good book to me.
I yell at characters A LOT! ?
@Robin it’s good to know I am not the only one ?
For sure! Mostly it is audiobook characters I am yelling at in my car! ?
A good ending is a must! The day after finishing a “good” book, I am wondering what the characters are doing that day.
If it makes me want to quit my plans to finish it
Can’t put it down, stay up way too late reading at night, put it on the side table in our living room instead of in book case when done so I remember to pass it along to first person around who I think would like it too.
I started reading Circe at around noon today, and just told hubby I wasn’t going to stop to make dinner, so we are ordering Indian.
So that qualifies as good.
I want to feel like I know the characters as if I’d met them in person. I want to be able to see the scenery as if it were real, to be able to picture it in my mind without a picture to go by. I want to feel the emotions in my bones.
I love it when I am surprised by a plot twist.
When I care about/think about the characters long after…
I really enjoyed
If I don’t stop thinking about it.
I cant put it down, take it to bed with me, close my door and eat at my desk so i can continue to read it at work, talk about it incessantly — think about the characters for days after Im done, recommending it to anyone who makes eye contact. Geez, does this make me sound annoying?
When I hug it at the end
When the story / author keeps me interested. When I’m happy with the ending.
When the story was so good that I needed to know what happened to the characters.
Great characters and an intriguing plot
Character development
I can remember it
When I want to reread it
Great question btw
When I can’t put it down and need to finish it no matter what the hour!
I want a sequel or a Netflix series. I think and dream about it even after I’m done. I get sad when I turn the last page.
1.When I cant put it down
2. When the characters are believable
3. And when I can’t guess the ending.
The writing
If I want to highlight parts of it.
When I can’t put it down.
When I cant put it down, it’s even better if I laugh out loud
Grabbed me a few pages in. Kept me guessing to the literal last page. Makes my jaw actually drop.
When I want to tell people about it even when I know they are not interested.
I’m sad when it’s over.
I love books that are multi level diverse books. If it makes me think I love it
Grips me right away, keeps momentum and can’t put it down.
If I talk about it to others while I’m reading and recommend it. I rarely make recommendations about anything. Also when I keep thinking about the story after I am done with the book and have moved on to others.
If I am still thinking about it months/years after I’ve read it. Or find myself craving more like it once I’m done. It’s a subtle way to realize that it really engrossed me. Which is always awesome, when it becomes a part of your thoughts and your imagination.
Jen Lancaster’s humorous memoirs. I looked forward to them…very relatable!
Connection within the characters or story. A book that keeps me on the edge of wondering what’s next or if it helps me reconsider events I my own life. A book that helps me understand myself or the people in my life better. One that helps me escape every day life and be transported into a whole new dimension of reality.