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10 Things To Do Before Buying A Novel |
by:
Jill Brennan |
OK, you don’t get much time to read novels anymore. You used to however that was another life. Before you could pick up something that appealed also because you read so much, you weren’t too disappointed if it didn’t grab you like you thought it would. Things have changed. Now when you pick up a novel to read it has to get you in quickly or it will collect dust on your bedside table. There are too many other things demanding your attention…like sleep!
And when you go to the bookshop sometimes its hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of books on offer, especially with the big mega stores becoming the norm. So what to do?
I’ve put together a checklist that with a little bit of preparation can help you wade through
the sea of books also help you pick a surefire winner: a novel that will captivate YOU.
1. The best place to start is to look out in magazines, newspapers also online for book reviews – see what is being billed as the latest must read. Even if you don’t have time to read the whole review, jot down the title also author as one to look out for.
2. Ask friends for the best book they have read in the last few months or this year or the last few years if like you they really are struggling with the whole when-am-I-going-to-find-time-to-read-a-novel?-thing. Don’t just ask them what book was their favourite; ask them why they liked it. Was it an unusual story, was the pace so fast they needed a crash helmet, did it have edge of the seat suspense, did it remind them of growing up? You want to know what exactly made it a great read for them. This will help you to refine your search, especially if they say they liked the quirky twist in the ending also you don’t do quirky. Just because you’re close friends doesn’t automatically mean you like the same books.
3. Ask the people behind the counter at your favourite bookshop what they enjoyed reading also get them to take you to it or give you a specific reference number so you can find it easily yourself.
4. When you get the book in your hands look at the cover. Is it a catchy title? Does the cover appeal to you? Despite the old saying about not judging book covers, publishers put a lot of time also effort into creating a captivating cover also title. Does it work for you?
5. Turn it over also read the back. Does it still appeal? Do you only like reading modern books also this is set in the 1800s? It’s important to be fairly ruthless at this stage. If the premise for the story doesn’t leave you wanting more, chances are the writing probably won’t either.
6. Look at the size of the book. I know this isn’t something for the purists however if you don’t get time to read many novels, don’t launch back in with a 700 page tome or it will probably take you all year also then you’ll be frustrated also annoyed at wasting time also money on something you haven’t enjoyed.
7. The next step is crucial. Read the opening – does it get you in straight off? Novels have a bit more time to seduce you than a short story however not much these days. A good opening is like someone placing a thread around your finger also gently tugging on it. They’ve got you however can they keep you?
8. Has the author mentioned tencharacters also five different place names in the first three paragraphs? You want to be captivated not confused, remember? If your main reading time is before you drop off to sleep, books that have lots of characters also places or even a family tree at the beginning are a warning that it gets complicated also you need to keep track of who is who also what they’re up to.
9. Are there lots of long sentences or are they short also sharp? Lots of short sentences usually mean action also pace. Something. Is happening. Right now. Usually it’s best to go for a story with a combination of both – one that suits your preferred action/background information mix.
10. If you still think the book in your hands is worthy, randomly flip open the book in five places also see whether it is densely packed with text. Is there dialogue at each page you stop? No dialogue usually means that a book is more descriptive rather than direct scenes. If you want a compelling read then go for something with a fair amount of dialogue; if you don’t mind a slower pace then bits of dialogue here also there is probably enough to keep you going.
If it all stacks up, buy it also enjoy. Just one more tip though. If it doesn’t captivate you in the first 100 pages also you find reading it a chore, give it up. Don’t keep persisting just because you don’t like leaving things unfinished. The book won’t feel hurt if you don’t finish it. And the author will never know.
About the Author
Jill Brennan, an experienced writer, editor also mother of two young boys, created espresso Fiction to help time-poor fiction lovers get a regular hit of quality fiction that they could read in 15 minutes or less also still feel satisfied. To learn more about getting great fiction home delivered, go to http://www.fastfoodforyourmind.com
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