Top 5: Things I like in a good book
Ok, so I know I've already addressed this topic briefly in other update pasts and whatnot, but I figured i needed to make it's own posts. That way, I can get more views when somebody asks me as a blogger what I like in a good book.
5. Character Personalities: While I don't stress about this a lot, in a lot of my favorite books, the main character has some trait or multiple traits that make them stand out from other kids there own age. For example, in Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs, Teddy Fitzroy's knack for animals, as he lived in the Congo for many years, allows him to know more about animals than kids his own age. Also, boredom and curiosity added to the plot and made Belly Up that much better than it would've been if it was a normal, boring, average 12 year old who said "Meh" and decided to try to figure out what happened to Henry.
4. Profanity: Yes, everyone knows the 7 -12 words you shouldn't say in public, but while you shouldn't say them, who says reading them is a bad idea. For example, in Crossing Lines by Paul Volponi, profanity makes up about an eighth of the words used (exaggeration of course, but you get the idea) To me, Profanity emphasizes the emotion that is attempted to be conveyed by the quthor and makes it stick out.
3. Good Plot Structure: This one is a no-brainer. To be a good book, it needs to have great plot structure. It can be done multiple ways, but I have a favorite. First, the introduction. Introduce all your characters and the setting and whatnot. Then the slow rising action- the tension slowly builds up and you're flipping through pages like a maniac. Then, the spike of life. A big fight scene or high conflict breaks out, which of course the character survives. Then the main character is partying with his friends and whatnot when the real intense climax comes. Then, the book either leaves on the climax if it's part of a series, or ends with a sudden resolution or moment of nostalgia before death.
2. A Strong Gory Romance (for YA), or A Slightly Strong Crush (MG): A lot of people think I'm crazy for wanting to know the gory stuff when it comes to sex and making out, but in fact you do need those details. Sometimes, knowing the intenseness of the situation shows a different side of the main character, for example, in Variant, Benson Fisher doesn't really care for his students. But when his crush Jane is beat to death, a scared and frightened emotion is shown , a side thought to be unknown to Benson. A romance in general, even crushes and relationships in MG add to the novel, either creating another conflict that can't be as easily handled as other conflicts, or a spurt of happiness, meaning that the character is rewarded for battling through conflict and is willing to try harder.
1. Action: This one is so obvious, if there was a 0th place, it would probably be there. If a book doesn't have action, and it's not Twilight, it's a horrible book. Albiet, Action can be presented in multiple ways. Maybe on a football field, the quarterback throws the game-saving touchdown, or in a gunfight, where guns are fired and people are fleeing to safety. Action doesn't have to be people fighting and shooting weapons, but it has to make the book exciting and enjoyable. Traits such as character interaction during an action scene or a very detailed action scene make the book that much more enjoyable and exciting.
Books mentioned:
Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs
Crossing Lines by Paul Volponi
Variant by Robison Wells
Books that follow these traits and therefore are good books:
FunJungle (Belly Up & Poached) Series by Stuart Gibbs
Spy School Series by Stuart Gibbs.
Variant by Robison Wells
Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando
Crossing Lines by Paul Volponi
5. Character Personalities: While I don't stress about this a lot, in a lot of my favorite books, the main character has some trait or multiple traits that make them stand out from other kids there own age. For example, in Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs, Teddy Fitzroy's knack for animals, as he lived in the Congo for many years, allows him to know more about animals than kids his own age. Also, boredom and curiosity added to the plot and made Belly Up that much better than it would've been if it was a normal, boring, average 12 year old who said "Meh" and decided to try to figure out what happened to Henry.
4. Profanity: Yes, everyone knows the 7 -12 words you shouldn't say in public, but while you shouldn't say them, who says reading them is a bad idea. For example, in Crossing Lines by Paul Volponi, profanity makes up about an eighth of the words used (exaggeration of course, but you get the idea) To me, Profanity emphasizes the emotion that is attempted to be conveyed by the quthor and makes it stick out.
3. Good Plot Structure: This one is a no-brainer. To be a good book, it needs to have great plot structure. It can be done multiple ways, but I have a favorite. First, the introduction. Introduce all your characters and the setting and whatnot. Then the slow rising action- the tension slowly builds up and you're flipping through pages like a maniac. Then, the spike of life. A big fight scene or high conflict breaks out, which of course the character survives. Then the main character is partying with his friends and whatnot when the real intense climax comes. Then, the book either leaves on the climax if it's part of a series, or ends with a sudden resolution or moment of nostalgia before death.
2. A Strong Gory Romance (for YA), or A Slightly Strong Crush (MG): A lot of people think I'm crazy for wanting to know the gory stuff when it comes to sex and making out, but in fact you do need those details. Sometimes, knowing the intenseness of the situation shows a different side of the main character, for example, in Variant, Benson Fisher doesn't really care for his students. But when his crush Jane is beat to death, a scared and frightened emotion is shown , a side thought to be unknown to Benson. A romance in general, even crushes and relationships in MG add to the novel, either creating another conflict that can't be as easily handled as other conflicts, or a spurt of happiness, meaning that the character is rewarded for battling through conflict and is willing to try harder.
1. Action: This one is so obvious, if there was a 0th place, it would probably be there. If a book doesn't have action, and it's not Twilight, it's a horrible book. Albiet, Action can be presented in multiple ways. Maybe on a football field, the quarterback throws the game-saving touchdown, or in a gunfight, where guns are fired and people are fleeing to safety. Action doesn't have to be people fighting and shooting weapons, but it has to make the book exciting and enjoyable. Traits such as character interaction during an action scene or a very detailed action scene make the book that much more enjoyable and exciting.
Books mentioned:
Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs
Crossing Lines by Paul Volponi
Variant by Robison Wells
Books that follow these traits and therefore are good books:
FunJungle (Belly Up & Poached) Series by Stuart Gibbs
Spy School Series by Stuart Gibbs.
Variant by Robison Wells
Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando
Crossing Lines by Paul Volponi
You will probably like the book face on the milk carton . It is YA.
ReplyDeleteAriana