When you first open a book, what is it that makes you continue reading?

Question

What creates and keeps the interest? I'm curious about what makes literature tick these days.

Answer 1

A great opening paragraph is the key. It has to hit a little off-center and make me want to know more. I like realistically flawed characters too.

Answer 2

It's hard to explain what makes a book appealing or unappealing. Sometimes its the first sentence that makes you curious or entices you to keep reading to find out just what this book has to offer. Sometimes it's the first chapter. Sometimes books begin slowly but then later begin to pick up pace...and by the end you're hooked. Sometimes a book's appeal is in the concept. Does the subject or concept of the book intrigue you. Is it different? Is it unique? Does it break the usual formulaic plot?

Sometimes a book's appeal DOES depend on the cover. Sometimes having the right cover art...or an intriguing description on the back cover that hints at just enough to make you curious without giving away all the secrets makes you want to open the book to begin with.

Good recommendations from a friend also adds to a book's appeal. I don't know that reading reviews from a published source make the book more appealing to you--you don't know them, you don't know their tastes--but when someone you know says YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK...it makes a big difference...whether the first sentence or first page hooks you or not...you'll want to give it a chance.

And of course maybe the biggest appeal is familiarity with the author. If you've read one book by an author and enjoyed it--or loved it--you'll want to pick up another book by that author. Anytime you see that author has a new book, you'll want to read it.

Personally, particularly when I'm reviewing books...I always try to give the book the benefit of the doubt...true the first 250 pages of this 375 page novel has bored me...but maybe it will get better towards the end.

I guess if I had to sum it up to one reason it would be: to intrigue or interest the reader enough that they'd want more...they'd want to read more...that they'd want to keep turning the pages.

Answer 3

If the story comes to life in my mind I will keep reading even if at times the author may drag out an introduction to setup the story. Terry Brooks is like that, but the story is incredible after you get over the first or second chapters. Another thing that will keep me reading would be the recommendation of the book being good by a friend. I'll read it to the end if possible trying to find why my friend recommended the book. Sometimes its not possible to read it all the way through because I've lost the image of the story (^.^)

Answer 4

Hmmm this is a bit tricky to answer. The way the author sets the mood and develops the story from the start usually causes me to continue reading. If the author spends too much time talking about details and things like that, it usually turns me away from the book. I like science fiction and fantasy books, so I like when the book starts with a bit of action that promises a good book. Also, if I had read another book by the author and had liked it, especially if it is in a series, I would usually read the book.

Answer 5

The first page.

This tells you a lot about the author, the style of writing and the standard.

It may also tell you a bit about the story, directly or indirectly.

Most importantly, the first page should make you want to turn to the next page. If it doesn't do that, then I won't read on UNLESS it's an author I really like.

That, however, has not happened yet.

Answer 6

A great opening sentence helps, but you have to like the characters right off the bat. That's why books like Harry Potter, King Fortis the Brave and Chronicles of Narnia are so great - even before the action happens you fall in love with the characters and really care what happens to them!

Answer 7

I like to see how it's going to end and the only way to understand the end
is to read the whole book.
If there's an exciting event at the beginning it helps to keep me turning pages.

Answer 8

The first sentense. Cant keep going if i find a cliche there. But i still do, as i imagine my literature classes then..

Answer 9

For me it is the want to know more or just the book itself that has intrigued me. I love reading it helps me understand people and their problems better.

Answer 10

if the beginning is intriguing -- if it catches your attention. i will often read something even if it is slow, just because i'm a dedicated reader. but anything that gets you right into the action is a good idea to catch attention.