Lately there's been so many best-sellers that I look at and wonder how they ever made it off a publishers desk. Made me wonder what makes a truly good book? Is it the writing, the plot, characters, originality, the connection you feel when you're reading it? A combination?

What's most important, and what do you look for when you're picking up a new book to read?

I look for a book that appeals to me story-wise or something in a genre that I prefer. If a book is really good, it'll appeal to people even if it's not in their usual genre. I'll read it, and if I don't enjoy the first few pages, I'll put it down. From an editor's perspective, I think they base their acceptance of manuscripts on what is currently popular and what is likely to grab an audience's attention within two weeks.

It really depends on my mood and on what I need a book for.

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"When you have nothing to do, anything is worth doing, including surfing the internet!"

I don't read very many books. I am mostly reading magazines.
If I do read a book I look for one with a story that goes quickly. I also like humorous books.

I guess, its the writer's ideas that make a book good. Do you know that without his/her wide thinking the out come will not be that beautiful?
By the way, when you read book do you looked about the author? or you directly looked to its story?

I think it is a combination of "what" and "how". It should have an excellent theme and story, and very well written. Above all it should offer you something new.

To me what makes a good book is great description , plot and humor with out those it is bland . Oh and you cant forget a little bit of smut ...lol

I think the most important thing is characters that are believable. I don't necessarily need to like the characters, but I need to believe in the way they behave as the story unfolds.

I enjoy inspirational books, true stories about overcomming adversity or enduring adversity. Biographies, philosophy, and theology are also top on my list. Even though I am an adult, I sometimes read children or young adult books for a quick read. They have good clean story lines and teach valuable lessons. I last read, "The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate DiCamillo.

LOL @ Kat - nothing wrong with a little smut!

I admit that I have a tendency to look at both the story and the author... once I find an author that I like, I'll read books by the same person that might not have appealed to me story-wise if they were by someone that I didn't know. A vote of confidence, I suppose - prove that you're inventive, creative and can break a mold, and I'll trust you enough to read another one of your books. With so many books out there in general and so little free time, there's nothing wrong with being choosy!

Characters are so important.... I like the point that you don't necessarily have to like the characters, but you do have to believe them. One of the best examples of that is George R.R. Martin, who does some truly amazing fantasy. He's the master of characters you love to hate.

I like clever writing. I want something new with twists and turns and the unexpected. It has to make me think. There are certain authors whose books I will always read.

Well for me it boils down on how he tried to express the emotions in the book in order for us to actually feel the story and passion of the writer. As I mentioned John Grisham is one of the best authors who tried to express their thoughts through words with emotions.

I think it's a combination of things. The writer's style has to be good, otherwise the it just ruins the book for me. The plot needs to be good and move along at a good pace. I've read books where it seems like things don't ever move until like 2 chapters before the end.

There are lots of factors that would make a good book. For me, a good book is something informative. I would enjoy it more if it would be a true to life story. The font size does matter to me as well. Do you like to see some illustrations in the book? I guess it would help.

You can't tell whether a book will succeed or not by just reading or by collecting a sample of readers also. A book might even succeed after a author dead.

For novels, I require a good plot, larger than life characters, and conflict. Lots of conflict that puts the protagonst on the edge of failure or despair but in the end, he gets out of it through great fortitude in and resiliency of character. I like a book where the bad get punished in the end and the good get rewarded.

I think a good book is something that you can really tell the author put their heart and soul into. Also, it must have a little bit of everything: action, suspense, love, etc. That way, anyone can like it

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-Brittany Brydahl

For me, a good book is a book that I can't bear to be apart from. Some of my favorite books have appeared in my dreams, meaning that I can't stop thinking about it. I've even found myself reading a book during commericals on TV if it's really good.