This week, Deb at BTT wants to know:
Do you still get excited about new books as you did when you were little? In general? New books in particular, like from a favorite author? Or do you look at all new, unread books with the same level of anticipation?
It usually takes a bit more than a general “hype” about a book to make me automatically think I’m going to love it. There has to be something that catches my personal interest (or tickles my curiosity) – whether it’s the author, a review, the blurb from the publisher, or even just the title or cover image. A new book by a favourite author usually tends to get priority over other titles in my “to read” pile, though.
Just now I’m kind of trying the opposite – reading an older book by an author (Peter May) whose latest four (‘The Lewis Trilogy’ + Entry Island) I’ve appreciated a lot. The one I’m reading now is the first in The Enzo Files series – Extraordinary People (2006). I’m only about 40% into it yet (reading on Kindle) but it seems rather Dan Brown-inspired (Da Vinci Code etc - not quite my favourite genre, a bit too stereotype). I think May has deepened his writing skills since then, not least when it comes to characters, and conveying the atmosphere of a place. But it’s interesting to see an author develop; and that in itself can make it worth while to go back and read earlier works for comparison.
6 comments:
I am pretty choosy, and need to read a good review, or hear very good word of mouth. Right now I have a huge list of books that I would like, but have not bought yet. Blogging now takes up most of my reading time.
i still get excited about books just like i did when i was a child.. i look for author that i love if i can find one and subject matter for the story... i never read reviews because what i think is good others do not and vice versa. i read what the book is about and the first page or two and still sometimes find one i don't like.
Oh, I get very excited about books I know my mother-in-law is going to send me or the ones I've been given for my birthday or Christmas, and of course the ones I have found in bookshops or for my kindle. Right now, there is a small pile of books I bought in England, waiting to be read - I can't wait! And now that my final exams are over and done with, I will have more time to read again.
Forgot to say that my degree of anticipation has nothing to do with any "hype" that may or may not be made about a book. The only exception were the Harry Potter books: every time a new one was announced, I was VERY much looking forward to buying and reading it.
I had the same experience with the Harry Potter books - well, at least with the last three. (Didn't read the first four until after they'd already been available for a while, and it wasn't until the fourth that I found myself truly "hooked".)
Interesting to read what you say about Peter May's earlier books. I shall read his later books at some time but will skip his earlier ones. Thanks.
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