What do you value in stories?

[CobaltAngel]

I got the idea to do this thread because I'm doing a report on JRR Tolkien for a English project. One biography I was reading about him said that the things he valued in stories were:
-Fantasy
- Recovery
-Ecsape
-Consolation

So, when you're trying to find a book, what kind of elements do you look for?

[ThaKladd]

The one thing that I most want to be in a book is some kins of philosophical, christian or other moral thoughts behind. You have to learn something if it's a good book. I want to sit down after I've read the book and think about the stuff the book was meaning for days. Therefore I value the Narnia books, and Sophies World. They are not books you easily forget.

When I was younger I valued stuff like drama, action... and of course they are still a must in books - but without any sub meaning, I don't think the book is that good anymore - it's like an action movie without a plot.

[Staci]

Things I like in books:

- Fantasy (the genre)

- Action

- Romance

- Stuff that makes me cry (Yes, I've cried reading before when someone dies)

- When the author keeps the reader guessing until the very end

- Things with deeper, symbolic meanings

- Good morals

:thumb:

[Psycho Ann]

I'm mostly for the intricate and very smartly done plot twists. Also writings that make you actually think from the surreal imaginative atmosphere.

And when I'm bored I usually go for either comedy, romance, angst and action... or any combination of the four.

[ShiroiHikari]

· Good solid plot.
· Good characters.
· A good hook.

There are probably 34236435 books that I have never finished because the first few chapters were boooriiing...so I like it when a story draws me in from the start.

[CobaltAngel]

I'm the same why SH!
Akaida, I like books that make me cry too.

[martinloyola]

a verbal confluence of ideas and imagination that can permeate my sense of reality so readily as to confuse my perception of that reality

in other words, if the writer can either convince me of their ideas or give me enough freedom to imagine their ideas in my own way as to push my sense of reality and purpose further than a simple cliche or even a cliche twisted, when an author can mold a cliche into such a work of art that it is hardly noticeable as steotipical, that's when I know a book is really really good
other than that, most reading I do goes under the category "ok' or "that was nice"
if it doesn't go there, then I probably despise the writing with every fibre and breathe of my being

[TheMelodyMaker]

I see that nobody's mentioned humor yet. There's nothing wrong with a little bit of non-inappropriate humor, you know.

[Namu]

A good plot. There isn't many books comming out with those today...
Some good action.
Fantasy! ^_^
It's gotta be interesting in the beginning, with stuff that makes me want to read more.
A bit of humor....can't be all serious throughout the whole book.
Some plot twists.

*can't think of any more*

[cbwing0]

Since I mostly read nonfiction, I look for a book to be well-argued and informative, as well as making me interested in pursuing further reading in related subjects. It really turns me off when an author makes wholly unwarranted assumptions throughout a book, or presents outlandish claims without explanation/support.

[mechana2015]

Fiction- fun and engrossing
-either new and unpredictable or true to the form of a series
-memorable charachters....
-makes me want to reread it
NF- good information of interest to me

[blueraven]

I tend to lean towards fantasy or sci-fi, always have and probaly always will. As others have said, interesting characters is a most. No fun when everything there is to know about everyone is right there in plain sight. I like to beable to reread a book over and over again and learn something new, not nessicsarly(sp) about the actual plot but more towards character traits and maybe even subplots. Lately I've found myself going for historical fiction- mostly set back in Ireland or Scottland. And as far as humor goes, I usually attach myself to whichever character(s) lighten things up a bit- say the oddest things at the worse time but everyone still love 'em and can laugh about it

[YesIExist]

I like stuff that's as firmly based in reality as possible. As in, what happens in the story is what happens in real life.

I like characters who are honest, trustworthy, and true.

I like seeing strong, intelligent women who can handle themselves and don't put up with any crap from men. Or anyone else, for that matter.

I prefer good to triumph over evil.

EDIT:

Also, a few characters w/a clean sense of humor.

[true_noir_chloe]

I prefer one well-written and one that grabs my attention. I want to read something new, different, and with great characters.

[Mave]

Well developed characters
Suspense (I don't know what it is exactly but John Grisham's old books keep me on my toes)
Smart plot twists (like what Ann said.)

[Gypsy]

1. Strong (as in well-developed) characters
2. An engrossing plot and atmosphere- nothing like getting lost in a good book
3. Various elements that I, personally, can relate to or learn about others from

[Haibane Shadsie]

This goes for books and for just about anything else.

I like Fiction.

I lean towards Fantasy and Sci-Fi, though I have read other things.

Good Worldbuilding. Give me an interesting setting, a complicated, intriguing world.

Give me strong characters. I don't mean sterotypical characters, I mean characters that have strong passions and motivations, but get inside their heads, let me feel what they are feeling. This doesnt' have to go for each and every character in a complicated book with a varied cast of "extras", but with the main characters... make them stand out, don't make them flat.

Anything that makes me think about some aspect of life/the human existance/the universe. Make me wonder. Make me see things from a new perspective. MAKE ME THINK!

I guess that's what I like. It's what I'm trying to accomplish with my own writing for other people... give them a wonderous world, great characters, and, perhaps above all, to make them THINK.

[Straylight]

I'm fond of fantasy and sci-fi as well. It must be well written and include detailed descriptions, whether by the use of long paragraphs or flitting over and leaving you guessing (eg. Gibson).

I love little sub-plots and seperate stories that interweave with each other, and I also like it when authors create a sense of culture, whether it's an invented one or something the reader is familiar with.

I like a world that has a strong sense of history. I like it when the history becomes blurred the further back you go, creating myths and legends. Jordan's "Wheel of Time" has a superb sense of history and detail, and expresses this attribute perfectly.

Any story where there is a major injustice that makes the reader feel angry is worthy of my respect. It takes skill to pull something like that off.

Counterculture references are always good fun too, shows that the author has a nice gritty side.

[Fsiphskilm]

Sometrhing tha

[PotBelliedCow]

Characters are the most important thing when it comes to stories. I don't really conform to one genre when it comes to books...as long as it's got good characters, each with his or her own wants, motivations, fears, and behaviors. You can't have plot or theme or much anything about characters.

Subplots are also nice, especially when all the subplots come together and become involved with the main plot. This is a really hard thing to do, and when it is accomplished the author needs some props for that...

[greyscale42]

Recreational:
It has to be fiction. I dont like much non-fiction
It must be suspensful, mysterious, action packed, atleast somewhat original, creative, have Strong characters and have a steady plot line.

Christian Growth:
It must have something to keep my attention and keep me focused and it must be original.