Comments on: BTT: I Want It All

By: BTT: A Bookish Meme « The Book Lady’s Blog

BTT: A Bookish Meme « The Book Lady’s Blog — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:02:06 +0000

[...] What’s more important in a novel – beautiful writing or a gripping plot? They’re equally important. I want it all! [...]

By: Shauna

Shauna — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:54:12 +0000

Like many of the others, I didn’t consider non-fiction, because I don’t read it all that much. But the rest of your answer pretty much matches what I said, only you said it a lot more eloquently. I’d much rather have a book with strong, well-developed characters and no plot, than a well-plotted book with insufficient characters.

By: bethany canfield

bethany canfield — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:11:42 +0000

yes, could I get a combo please?

for sure.

I like the way you put it. I think mainly my issue is that if the writing is good I hardly notice since the author makes it all look easy, but if it is obvious…it is bad, and I have a hard time reading it.

happy BTT!!

By: phantom inkheart

phantom inkheart — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:31:32 +0000

“I read because I can’t imagine not reading.” That’s a definite for me as well. And I, too, want it all. Otherwise I just can’t enjoy it even in the slightest bit – I need those other elements.

Thanks for the comment!

By: alirambles

alirambles — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:24:23 +0000

I totally agree with you. If the characters and their relationships to each other are compelling, I don’t care what they do, I just want to hang out with them. If the characters are doing something really exciting but they have no depth and the writing doesn’t grab me? I just plain don’t care!

By: Ti

Ti — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:42:01 +0000

Well put. I could not have stated it better myself. I also find that depending on my mood.. sometimes I more demanding in what I expect from a book. Especially if it is a much hyped bestseller and I am just not getting the hype.

By: Swapna

Swapna — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:29:36 +0000

Great answer! I didn’t think about non0fiction!

And yes, it does seem strange that the question’s answer was “yes it is just you” or “no it isn’t just you”. I would love for someone to have put that as their answer – and that’s it!

By: Devourer of Books

Devourer of Books — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:19:04 +0000

Hmm, I didn’t think about nonfiction books in this question either. Although if the non-fiction is history, that can be ‘plot’-driven, I supposed.

Anyway, I basically completely agreed with you…right down to the fact that there really wasn’t an actual question.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:31:21 +0000

Thanks, Debbie! Your book clubbers are always welcome here in BookLadyland!

By: Debbie

Debbie — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:15:19 +0000

Love your response!! I’m passing this blog on to my book club members.