‘You had me at epic fantasy’

99187-ttt

Every Tuesday over at  The Broke and Bookish we all get to look at a particular topic for discussion and use various (or more to the point ten) examples to demonstrate that particular topic.  This week’s topic is:

Top Ten Things That Will Make Me Instantly Want To Read A Book

  1. Blogger recommendations – I find so many good books this way.  Once you find your own favourite blogs to follow with people who, not only have similar tastes, but also whose opinions you trust – it’s such a great way to pick up new book recommendations.
  2. Author – I have a number of authors who I would automatically pick up: Mark Lawrence, Neil Gaiman, Sarah Pinborough, Patrick Rothfuss, Alice Hoffman, Scott Lynch, Lauren Beukes, to name a few  – the list could go on but I’ll stop there.
  3. Publisher – let’s face it I follow quite a lot of publishers and keep my eye on their anticipated releases and new authors.
  4. Cover – I know it seems fickle but I do love a great cover and it is the thing that initially draws me to the book.
  5. Hype – I can deny it all I like but eventually any really, seriously, hyped book will eventually get to me and I will crumble in the face of popular demand!
  6. Part of a series – obviously, if I’m reading and loving a series I am eager for the next instalment.
  7. Genre – I know that authors don’t really like to be pigeon holed, but if a book falls into any of the following: fantasy, science fiction, steampunk, horror, alternate universe, urban fantasy, or any of a number of other sub genres then I’ll probably pick it up.
  8. Content – if a book happens to have vampires, fae, magic, dragons, goblins, witches – you get the picture – then I pretty much more than likely want to read it.
  9. Grimdark – a description that is a tad over used – but still it works like a charm for me and always makes me want to pick up the book in question.
  10. What did I miss?
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28 Responses to “‘You had me at epic fantasy’”

  1. Carmen

    You missed nothing. I agree with most of your reasons. I don’t read fantasy, but I like it in movies. I know, weird. Also, in addition to covers I’m a sucker for titles. If I like the title with the cover, I investigate further, but the cover alone doesn’t make me buy a book. I try to avoid series because unless they are super-good I don’t stick to the end, but trilogies I can manage.

    • @lynnsbooks

      I can see why you would maybe enjoy fantasy films but not books. I usually tend to be the other way around as the on screen vision is never quite as I imagined it – apart from the LotR films which are excellent.
      I also wouldn’t but a book because of it’s cover but it would definitely entice me to pick it up and investigate further.
      Lynn 😀

  2. Nathan

    I would say you got all the important bits. These days recommendations are needed more than ever just because of how many books catch my eye.

    • @lynnsbooks

      I agree – blogger recommendations are my biggest book source these days.
      Lynn 😀

  3. Tammy

    I’m right there with you on cover, that’s usually the first thing to grab my attention. Also the author and publisher play a big part too. Seeing a new book coming out by a favorite author is ridiculously exciting!

    • @lynnsbooks

      I know – I sometimes just stalk my favourite authors on twitter and their own blogs to try and see what’s coming out next!
      Lynn 😀

      • @lynnsbooks

        In a totally none-bunny boiler type of way I hasten to add!

  4. Barb (boxermommyreads)

    I agree there are certain bloggers whom I always seem to trust for recommendations, Also, I do think book bloggers are quite visual individuals so must of us are cover judgers. I forgot to add to my list that if Stephen King blurbs a book, I pretty much auto-buy it.

    • @lynnsbooks

      Yeah – those author blurbs can be very enticing.
      Lynn 😀

  5. sjhigbee

    You covered everything, I believe:). I do like certain authors, like you – though I’m trying to extend my range. And I have a real weakness for a cracking space opera, as science fiction is really my first love. A great article, Lynn.

    • @lynnsbooks

      Ahh, interesting, fantasy is definitely my first love although I am trying to expand more into sci fi.
      Lynn 😀

  6. DJ (@MyLifeMyBooksMyEscape)

    Whenever I go to yard sales or old used-book stores, I’ll use the publisher’s name a lot on whether on not I should buy. If it sounds interesting, regardless of the authors name, as long as it has TOR on the spine, I’ll pick it up.

    • @lynnsbooks

      Yeah, or Gollancz – I love all their Masterwork books.

        BTW – how are your studies going – are you loving it?
        Lynn 😀
      • DJ (@MyLifeMyBooksMyEscape)

        I love what I am learning! But I am not necessarily loving all the work involved! 😦 To put it simply: in the last 7 weeks of this term I have 5 exams… I am in the last 3 of those 7 weeks, and one exam each week LOL

        Cannot wait for vacation! 😀

      • @lynnsbooks

        Good luck with all your exams – that’s a lot of work and I hope everything goes wonderfully well for you 😀

      • DJ (@MyLifeMyBooksMyEscape)

        Thanks, Lynn! 😊

  7. maddalena@spaceandsorcery

    A more than comprehensive list, indeed! 🙂
    And covers ARE an important part of the equation, after all: think about them as the visual side of the “siren song” sung by books…

    • @lynnsbooks

      I love covers – I know it can seem a bit fickle but I see it as far more than that, apart from being the first thing that draws your eye, setting the scene and telling you a bit about the story -I just love the artwork side of it, some of the creations out there are so amazing.
      Lynn 😀

  8. mervih

    I like many of these as well. While I like covers, I’ve noticed that now that I read more ebooks, the covers don’t matter so much.

    • @lynnsbooks

      I know what you mean – but I still seem to spend such a lot of time looking at covers – clearly it’s one of my own little vices!
      Lynn 😀

  9. Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

    Dark fantasy and grimdark gets me every time! And no shame in picking up a book because of its cover, I stopped fighting the fact I’m a cover whore a long time ago, lol! 😀

    • @lynnsbooks

      Yes – me too, a total cover tart and I can’t help it so pointless trying to deny the fact.
      Lynn 😀

  10. jessicabookworm

    I think dragons could have had a category all by themselves 😀 I also have favourite genres and authors I return to again and again. However hype has the opposite affect on me…it is actually on my list for next week’s TTT post!

    • @lynnsbooks

      (Between you and I Hype is also on my list next week – I’ve gone all gollum and having an argument with myself – we loves and hates hype!)

  11. Danya

    Blogger recommendations are the bread and butter of my reading these days! You’re the first person I’ve seen mention it on their TTT list but it’s honestly so true. I rarely read books that haven’t been recommended by someone I follow!

    • @lynnsbooks

      Too true. And, depending on the type of blog I know I can rely on a number of bloggers for a variety of books, for example we like quite a lot of the same books – but then I know that some of my books wouldn’t be up your street – like the grim dark ones.
      Lynn 😀

  12. Amanda @Cover2CoverMom

    Since I became a blogger my TBR has gotten out of control lol Between the recs and the hype… I wouldn’t trade it for anything though 🙂

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