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Deciding what you read . . .

 

If you make a decision to read a novel, I’m sure there’s a process you engage to pick out the book you choose. With some Christians this process depends on the genre. For others it begins with whether or not the story is considered to be Christian fiction. What is the starting point for your novel selections?

 

I’ve told you before there are a few authors I’ll read whatever they write. Not many but some. Beyond that, genre, cover, how the back cover copy is written, and the author contribute to my decisions. It takes a rare appeal for me to venture back into the general market. Simply being well-written doesn’t get it for me.  

 

How do you select a novel to read?

 

 

Lord, I’m desperate for you . . . still. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

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9 responses to “Deciding what you read . . .”

  1. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    This is a lot more difficult process than it seems. I usually read only in the Christian market b/c I simply am not interested in reading books laced with foul language or porn. Frustrating b/c it is very difficult to learn who writes general market books that DON’T use these ploys.
    So by default, I look on the CBA shelves.
    But then it becomes even more difficult b/c, as mentioned at other times, its hard to find books that grab. Though I pretty much read only historical, I’ll cast a hopeful eye along the length of all the shelves. 35% or more of the books are eliminated right off the bat b/c I will bypass any book with a woman in a dress on the cover (I’m just not your typical female CBA book shopper). Instant red flag that it’s not for me.
    I don’t like contemporary fiction, so I’ll then zero in on the historical shelves. I’ve already nixed out women in dress book covers, so then I examine what remains. Nine times out of ten I will then bypass any books with both a man and a woman on the cover–which usually means it’s a romance.
    I would say I probably don’t pick up more than half a dozen books to take the next step and read the back cover blurb. 99.9999999% of the time, I come away empty-handed. I think as a reader I want the impossible–I’m searching for historicals with a bit more panoramic view of the period than just Jane and Johnny getting together.
    In fact, it has only happened twice this year. I found two books by the same author, Kay Marshall Strom, who wrote a couple books on the African slave trade. Yes, the second book also had the element of a couple that was separated by the horrible circumstances, but there was meat on the story’s bones–something more far reaching than “will they or won’t they find their way back to one another” although obviously that’s a critical element.
    This process of searching/not finding wears me out, which is one reason why I read FAR more non-fiction than fiction. Sorry for the blog length reply.

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  2. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    Me again. It came to me after I posted. I could say it a lot shorter by saying “I’m looking for a BIG story.” BIG as in scope.

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  3. Brenda Anderson Avatar
    Brenda Anderson

    Excellent question, Nicole. Like Brenda above I generally stick with the Christian market for the reasons she stated, but I always read Vince Flynn, Michael Connelly, & William Kent Krueger.
    I like a variety of books but will typically avoid historicals & romance & will never pick up a bonnet. Well, I take that back. Dale Cramer’s LEVI’S WILL is not the typical Amish; it’s an excellent story that he wrote before Amish became all the rage.
    As for looking for new titles? I pay attention to this blog. 🙂 I also watch new & upcoming release lists looking at taglines & back cover copy. A cover may grab my interest at first, but it’s the back cover that’ll get me to look further.
    If I like a book–let’s use The Famous One–I’ll go on Amazon or Christianbook & see what others have viewed or purchased that bought The Famous One.
    What I’m looking for is something different. I do not like formula. As a reader, I want to be surprised by the story’s twists. I love an author who makes me read to the final word. I think that last sentence is just as important as the first.

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  4. Kristen Torres-Toro Avatar
    Kristen Torres-Toro

    Hmm… cover does play into it. If it’s not one of my “no matter what” authors, then I look into the genre and the back cover copy. I generally stick with Christian fiction and contemporary, women’s, or Southern fiction. But that’s not an absolute rule.

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  5. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Brenda, don’t worry about your comment length. I prefer a good explanation. Wow: two novels that filled the bill this year. That’s sad. I love sagas so I get your search.
    I’ve taken a similar approach to my own genre of late. Romance is way too formulaic in recent times.
    Brenda A., I’ve got to give a shout out to Relz Reviewz too. Rel always gets the latest releases from some major CBA publishers and gives me a heads up as to what I might like. And the CFBA usually provides some good reads although this year it was spotty. Two months of the year I picked no books from their lists.
    It’s getting harder of late to find non-formulaic novels. I think we could use more visionary publishers outside of Jeff Gerke in speculative fiction.
    Appreciate your comments, Ladies. Very much.

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  6. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    Cover definitely influences me if it’s not a must-read author. I read a couple of novels whose cover did not do the story justice. If the books hadn’t been on the CFBA list w/o a pic of the cover, I never would’ve selected them. Thanks for taking the time, K.

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  7. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    Do authors have any incentive for writing BIG stories or something that steps outside of formula?
    It doesn’t seem like they do. Yes, I know we could have philosophical debates about not doing it for the money, etc. but writers are just like anyone else–they might like to have some food on the table. And for most writers, if that is their only income, it’s hard enough to scratch together any kind of monetary return.
    Any novel writing is hard work. But to put together something truly unique, something that reaches a broader scope or steps outside normal bounds, takes longer (at least that’s my feeling. I wonder how long it took Margaret Mitchell to write GWTW?).
    In the present publishing environment, I think it is harder than ever to write a standout novel.
    But then that’s a thought–maybe I should add a prayer that God will give someone the time, the monetary resources, and the inspiration to take the time they need to write me a really big historical that isn’t a romance. *-)

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  8. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    In this publishing climate prayer is probably the only resource you have for getting what you want to read, Brenda. Regardless of genre, the powers that be appear to be tone deaf to anything past 100,000 words. They make exceptions of course for the bestselling authors in certain genres. What about the one female author of large historicals–B. J. Hoff?

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  9. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    RE: BJ Hoff–I haven’t read her recently but I have read some of her stuff.

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