Let's Talk - 3/1/13

Let’s Talk is a meme hosted by Smash Attack Reads and A Book Obsession.  

Let's Talk is a a great place to get personal and learn more about one another!  

Each week, a different question will be posted along with a place to link up your posts and visit other people’s responses. This meme is definitely meant to bring out conversation and meet new people. So, Let’s Talk!

Today's Question: Do you need romance in your books to read them? If not, what else “hooks” you?

Answer: Apologies for the meme redundancy posts.  I've been sick this past week and haven't had time (or the inclination) to write up any reviews.  Anyway, when I read this question I laughed. 

NO! 

I do not need romance in my books to read them at all.  I'm a mush when it comes to dogs, but romance...meh.  Valentine's Day makes me roll my eyes and a lot of Romantic stuff in books (as well as tv/movies) do as well.  In fact, when a review says the romance is very minimal, doesn't play a major role in the plot, then I'm more likely to be interested.  I'm not saying I hate any romance in a book, it's just that it has to be well done, believable and *not* the main focus of a story.  It takes a lot to make swoon.  I guess I'm just not easy! : ) 

What hooks me?  Well, are you going to try to scare me?  Creep me out?  Please do! That's what hooks me!  

Most aspects of the Paranormal/Supernatural hook me as well.  Ghosts, hauntings...stuff like that.  However...as opposed to a world where the paranormal is accepted, I prefer when the character questions themself or has to explore their surroundings and then discover and accept that all is not what it seems. 

What else hooks me is scary stories about demons.  I love theology and exploring mythology, religion and again, things that may be out there that you never dreamed of before. 

Also, if a book takes place in New Orleans I'm more apt to pick it up.  If I can't live there then I want to visit it via words and my imagination as much as possible. 

I haven't read any in a while, but I love King Arthur and Celtic mythology re-tellings too. 

What is your take on Romance in a book?  What gets you to read a book?

Let's Talk - 1/4/2013.

Let’s Talk is a meme hosted by Smash Attack Reads and A Book Obsession.  

Let's Talk is a a great place to get personal and learn more about one another!  

Each week, a different question will be posted along with a place to link up your posts and visit other people’s responses. This meme is definitely meant to bring out conversation and meet new people. So, Let’s Talk!

Today's Question:  Do reviews often influence your book choices, or are you someone who doesn’t read reviews until after reading the book?

Answer: Reviews will definitely influence my reading choices.  There are a few blogs that I always go to and trust what they have to say, whether it's something that will appeal to me or not.  For the most part though, reviews will bring the book or author to my attention and then I'll look into it a bit more.  As an example, there are so many Urban Fantasy books out there, you know the ones, with the bad-ass chicks on the cover...that I usually go to Amazon and see what is being said.  I usually read the negative reviews more carefully to determine if it's something that I would like.  If they gave it a negative review because there was no romance, well then that is something that appeals to me more.  If they say it's too violent, I'm there! If they say there is no character development and the plot is cliche, then that wil hold me off more.  

If I own a book that I know I'm going to read, I won't read a review on it.  In fact, I'll avoid reviews because I don't want any spoilers.  As Smash said, I too, also won't read reviews before I write a post because I don't want to be infuenced.  I do like reading them afterward though.  It's funny to see all the different opinions.  And that's what I love about discussing books!