For Fantasy/Sci-Fiction Lovers: What Makes You Reada Book?

[Rhondazvous]

A lot of you know that I’m a writer. As such, I’ve been looking for ways to deal with all the competition out there. I begin to think part of it is just sheer luck. But I’ve been reading a lot of advice from the "experts" and they all seem to say I need to establish a relationship with my readers. That sounds so crazy. I’ve never read a fantasy novel because I thought the author cared about me personally.

So I’m asking you, the readers, the real experts on why you pick up any particular book. What makes you interested in a book? Especially a book by an author you’ve never heard of, or do you only read books by famous authors? Should I make a name for myself by robbing a bank?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Basics: Cover art, back cover information. Who says it's good? Is the plot synopsis interesting?

Total time looking at a book, about one minute before putting it back on the shelf or buying it.

[ApeNotKillApe]

One thing that puts me off any work, particularly the fantastical, is a story that opens by throwing out all sorts of terms that the author made up as if I'm supposed to give a fuck about things that I don't know what they are yet. Hook the reader emotionally with simple human things they understand, then I might actually have reason to care when you start going on about the Bene Geserit or whatever.

[Jesster]

If I can read reviews about the book, comparisons to other stories I may know seem to get my attention a lot. Beyond reading reviews, I guess cover art and the summary of the story on the back are what will get me to read a book in the first place. The biggest thing that will keep me reading a book is my take on the main character(s) and how they start to develop. If that falls through, I usually set the book down for good. That's been happening a lot lately, unfortunately. I also try to read the first chapter if I can to get a good sneak peak. Bad intros will definitely keep me from buying the book.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Yeah, blurb on the back generally does it for me. Or if it's an author with whom I'm already familiar.

Boru

[Alex K]

Blurb/summary and cover art, although the cover art mostly serves as a deterrent, in that the cover can often tell me when a book is very likely not a candidate, but not so much the other way round.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Blurb/summary and cover art, although the cover art mostly serves as a deterrent, in that the cover can often tell me when a book is very likely not a candidate, but not so much the other way round.

I look at the cover art as a non-verbal synopsis that wasn't necessarily agreed to by the author. If it shows a barechested Viking holding a flaming sword while spaceships fly overhead then I'll be inclined to move on.

[Rhondazvous]

Thanks, guys. This is very helpful information. Seems like I always come to the right place when I come here.

[Chad32]

Usually what's on the cover, and what's happening in the first page or two. You have to hook them in with something first, then real it in with some juicy plot.

[ApeNotKillApe]

Hope it wasn't too banal a point as to be platitude. Most of what I'd have to say I feel is Storytelling 101, and the fundamentals of good world building.
Consistency, emotional resonance, and at least make an attempt to not just be another Tolkienesque yarn. We all draw from the same well, I understand that, and fiction (particularly fantasy and sci-fi) is largely a game of presenting old tropes in interesting ways. But if you do go for elves and dwarves gallivanting around a rough approximation of medieval Europe, then you're not doing yourself any favours as far as my interest is concerned.