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Friday, December 7, 2007

The "It" Factor

We’ve been having an interesting discussion on our Affairs of the Pen loop.

Let me tell you how it got started. I recently read Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. Perhaps, read is the wrong word. Devoured might be a better choice. I couldn’t get enough. I loved the mystery of it. The characters were three dimensional and very real. The setting and mood were perfect – almost characters themselves.

Alyson read it in one night, too. It has well over 900 five-star reviews at Amazon. From conception to astronomical book deal took a mere six months for someone who never really thought about publishing. Apparently, I’m not the only one who’s fallen in love with Edward and Bella.

Samantha is reading it now – and not liking it at all. Now, for the record, Samantha is a brilliant writer. However, we don’t always like the same books.

She is also currently reading The Golden Compass and loving it. (It’s a favorite of mine, too.)

That brings us to the discussion. What is it about a book that really resonates with some people, but really doesn’t with others? Why can some people think a certain book is the best thing ever written, but others think it’s so bad they can’t finish it?

Any ideas?

2 comments:

Dara Edmondson said...

I think we all come to the table with different wants and need, different experiences that make our book loves very diverse. And thank goodness they are diverse or there's only be a few types of books!

Lara Dien said...

Here, let me follow up on my "what kind of book" comment. I like everything. My main requirement in a book is that it be interesting and well-written. Other than that, I don't care -- fantasy, mystery, suspense, romantic suspense, romance ... about the only thing I don't like are 'day in the life of' books ... I want a plot, and resolution. Preferably dead bodies and a gorgeous ... oh, wait, that's my WIP LOL. No, seriously, I like puzzles and I like to solve them. So 'mild' plotlines don't grab me. I don't read much women's fiction, in case you can't tell, but I do read a lot of nonfiction.

L