Page Turners
Everyone loves a page turner -- we want to read them, we want to write them. When you're writing a book, quite honestly, I've always found it difficult to know if the work is a page-turner. There's a point where the manuscript captures all of your attention, and there's a point where you can't see it any more and it may seem like the most boring thing on earth because you've looked at it for months and months. I mean, take the most exciting book you know, read it every day for four to six months, and see if you still love it. *G* That's kind of what writing is like sometimes.
But what it is that makes a page-turner?
I'm not asking that hypothetically, I really want to know from all of you what keeps you turning pages. What was it about the last book you read, specifically, that you couldn't put it down. You ignored the kids, burnt dinner, stayed up too late to finish it?
The last book I read like that was Beth Andrews's Not Without Her Family, and right now, I am in one of those reading ruts. When I read a really good book, or watch a really good show, I find myself looking for more, and most things end up falling short. Every book I pick up is not a page turner, even if they might be good books, but page-turners are addictive.
For me, I think in the end, what makes something a page-turner (or a TV show I can't get enough of, at the moment, Burn Notice), is the character. Sometimes it seems like the adventure, the action and the things that are happening are what draw us forward, but for me, it's always a character I get addicted to and can't get enough of. Such characters in the past have been Jarod (The Pretender), Sookie Stackhouse, Eve Dallas, Jason Bourne, Buffy Somers, Myron Bolitar, and Michael Westen. Even in things like reality TV, it's the people that bring me back.
The action component has to be there as well -- Jason Bourne would not be as fascinating if he weren't such a warrior, and Michael Westen is an amazing spy. Myron Bolitar cares about his clients, Eve Dallas will stop at nothing to save the day, and the mysteries and the plots and the romances all have to be there. Good writing is a plus, but let's face it, we'll get sucked into a good story even if the writing is so-so.
Still, what's more important is how all of these characters have a central problem that is compelling and we have to see them get through okay -- that's what makes a page turner for me. Jason Bourne has to find his past, Michael Westen has to find who burned him, Eve has to solve the crime and deal with her past, and Sookie has to survive vampire politics and being a mind-reader.
The online Joss Whedon musical right now, if you haven't seen it, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, is most definitely a page turner -- millions of internet viewers can't wait for each new episode, because we have to see what happens next. The music and lyrics and story are wonderful, but Joss has once again keyed on on the most important thing, IMO -- character.
What about you? What's the last real page turner you read, any genre, and what made it a page turner for you? Yes, I'm looking for recommendations, as I'm in a bit of a dry spell for reading at the moment.
Sam
oh no...
Even here, talk of clothes is trumping talk of books! LOL
Sam
A Painted House
So, this book is not a romance by any means, but my book club read A Painted House by John Grisham. The best quote that came out of that night was by a guy who really didn't want to read the book. He said "It was 250 pages of picking cotton and I couldn't put it down." LOL - it was true! None of us could quite describe why it was so captivating, but it was. So, if you're looking for something different, here's my recommendation. :-) I know I've read page turners since then, but I'm blanking on them at the moment. I'll keep thinking.
You know...
That's how I felt about the movie Master and Commander -- it didn't seem like a lot happened, and yet I was rapt... and it wasn't just because Russel Crowe is hot. LOL
Sam
You are not the first person
You are not the first person I have heard that from!! Either part! LOL. I may have to check it out. :-)
Cathy
Hooray! Another Joss Whedon fan!
Love Dr. Horrible!
A good writer can make a trite plot good. For me, it's all in the writing. I collect ghost stories. I have multiple versions of the same story. Some are better tellings than others. Some writers want to show how important they are by using big words and complex sentence structures. Some writers want to show how hip they are by using catchy phrases and short sentences. Honestly, I think some people are better storytellers than others. Part of it is knowing the audience, part of it is knowing what makes a good story.
Hmm...
This is why I'm not a reviewer! I can remember the last couple page-turners, but I'm harder pressed to pinpoint what made them that for me--I think it's a combination of interesting and likeable characters with believable character/relationship development and a fun or interesting plot. My last few couldn't-put-them-down reads were Sarah Mayberry's Below the Belt (I have to say, she's ALWAYS a page-turner for me), Sarah McCarty's Promises Linger (she's a new-to-me author), and Julia Quinn's On the Way to the Wedding (she's got the humor/character/plot balance down really well!)
I do agree with you, characters make a big difference--if you put unlikeable characters in with a fascinating plot, I still might not care how it turns out. Although it can also be a real trick to make typically unsympathetic characters into ones the reader cares about, too... Rexanne Becnel's Blink of an Eye featured a nurse battling alcohol addiction to the point where she was contemplating literally drowning herself. That was a bit of a page-turner, too, actually.
Anyway, not sure if that helped or not ;) Hope you find some winners for you, and I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone else recommends :)
Well
One recent page turning I read was Extreme Exposure by Pamela Clare. [The second book in the series I did not like as much.] But the first - I LOVED. I also really enjoyed Duchess by Night by Eloisa James. Hm... and... Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery. Also - for categories, Jealousy and a Jeweled Proposition by Yvonne Lindsey. :)
Angel's Fall
The above by Nora Roberts. I just had to find out what was going to happen to this completely quirky couple. Beth Andrew's book was really great, too, I agree.
LindaC
Me too!!
I just did a reread of Angels Fall. It had been long enough that I'd forgotten most of it and couldn't wait to see what happened next.
Before that it was JR Ward's Lover Enshrined.
For me, it always comes down to the characters. If I don't have an emotional interest in the characters, it doesn't matter what happens to them. Although, I didn't really LIKE Lover Enshrined, the characters kept pulling me back in. I had to find out what was happening with the H/H and the Brothers and the Boys and...
I just finished LuAnn McLane's A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action and her heroine kept me captivated. She was such a mix of brass and self doubt. A very fun book!
ani
Just finished a page-turner
Twilight Fall. I reviewed it over on Writers are Readers. : ) Last page turner before that was Patricia Briggs, Moon Called. It's the characters and the stakes, definitely.
page turning
For me there are two things that keep me reading: the first is that the characters must be believable (even if they are paranormal the still must be believable alto I really can't explain what I mean) and there must be suspense (the kind that pulls you on to see what happens) and it doesn't always mean the type of suspense that happens in suspense books.
I'm not really sure I'm making any sense here but that is the best I can do.
oops
I forgot the second part of the question -- a book name.
THE WAY HOME by Jean Brashear
Yes...
Read Angel Falls last year, and it was actually the only new Nora I've read in a few years, and liked it very much -- it was big enough to keep my occupied over two flights, as well...
Weirdly, JR Ward didn't work for me -- LOVE Patricia Briggs, though the third book in the series didn't work for me.
Below the Belt was awesome. :)
I'll look up a few of these others... I love a good series, but hate it when it's only the first book or the first few books that are really good...
Sam
Phantom of the Night
Hail to the Redskins!
This was the latest book in Sherrilyn Kenyon's BAD series. The first couple in the series were, well, BAD. BAD stands for Bureau of American Defense where those who don't make it working for the feds can work without rules. Its one of those agencies that if things don't work out, the American Govt denies any and all knowledge of you. Anyway, this time, she collaberated with Diane Love and the book was much better--the characters were fleshed out much better and you saw all the flaws as well as the good side. There was, of course, the HEA and good action. I didn't get anything done because of reading the book, but it was worth it.
Tribute, Nora Roberts latest, was great, but took me longer to read and wasn't the page turner it normally is. That, and real life kept getting in the way.
Love Eve Dallas and Nora's In Death series are always page turners--life stops when I go to 2060 NYC to see Eve and the gang solve the latest homicide.
Jodi Picoult is my current
Jodi Picoult is my current favorite author - she has about 18 books out and I've read half of them and enjoyed every one - they're all page turners that I hate to put down. In her case she writes her point of view of various characters per chapter so you get to this what happens next stage for one person and she has you reading about someone else. Stephen King has that knack for leaving you hanging at the end of each chapter. Other than that - any really good book does that to me.
Jodi PIcoult
Hail to the Redskins!
Thanks Catslady, I'm getting ready to start one of Jodi's books. I haven't read her before and don't know what to expect. Thanks for letting me know that she's a page turner.
I just got Charlaine
I just got Charlaine Harris's new book in the mail, and I'm hoping that one is good, though I didn't care for the last one, I'm hooked in. I guess in a series you have to expect you won't like every book equally, though I was disappointed to not see a new Harper Connelly book on the horizon...
I've heard Jodi's name over and over, and will have to check her out...
Sam
Harlan Coben
I really love him and his non connective stories(I believe he has an on going character,not sure). They are fast paced, in depth characters, concise writing, and short chapters-which makes it so I feel like I'm reading quickly and can grab a chapter or two while waiting to do something, since I do not have the time to carve out hours, sometimes even a half hour at a time, to read. I have not found another author similiar to HC. Please do tell if you know.
In Short, my reply is characters, fast pace, mystery/suspense, short chapters, and concise writing. Not alot of description. We don't need to know EVERYTHING. I'll give an example. I love Nicholas Sparks, but sometimes I just want the meat of the story. Not she was thinking (insert 2 pages of the character thinking of blahblahblah).
I was thinking I need to pick up some Readers Digest concise stories. The one's with 4 stories in one book so I can get through more good books in less time. Anyone have any thoughts on the RD's? I haven't been able to make the jump and buy one to try it out.
I realize I didn't put book titles: To start try Tell No One. Right now I'm reading The Innocent-LOVE IT!
I missed a few inbetween due to schooling/work. IMHO, it's never a good idea to read the same author consecutively.
I love Myron Bolitar!
The Myron books are my absolute favorites, and I wish he'd gone on with them, but I find I haven't been able to get into his other ones. Weird, I know, but Mike and read straight through the MB books, and tried with the others, but they didn't grab me.
I can't even say that other name... NS... I think he is the devil of romance writers... LOL
Sam