What are the elements of a good book/writer?

I enjoy graphic books, I just like when the author can explain something in such good detail that you feel you can actually see as your reading.

That happens to me with some books too, and I often forget where I am and fall into the story, as I would in the aforementioned ideal book.

I’m reading the lucifer effect (understanding how good people turn evil) and it’s very much what I like and it’s pretty awesome

That sounds pretty cool.

originality

But not for the sake of being weird.

Why is this in the april fools topic?

look at stephen king and anne rice, that is all

I think it’s a matter of taste, so my personal preference is:

1. Something funny but witty, perhaps sarcastic.
2. Short chapters (this is very important for me when reading)
3. Some sort of mystery. It doesn’t have to be a detective novel, but something to look forward to in the end, a twist, suspense, not knowing what will happen next.
4. Good use of language is a bonus. I don’t care much for lengthy descriptions, and epic novels bore me. I prefer short sentences that are to the point, and play with words. Or original use of words where this is possible.

But of course it all depends on the book. My favourite author is Terry Pratchett btw.

i like short stories. i like stories about people that are living through crazy situations. i like humor. i like kids’ books – roald dahl was an awesome writer.

my favorites are john dufresne, raymond carver, dahl, anne lamott, and ian frazier.

To me, a good book makes me sad when I finish it, even if it isn’t a sad story. Just a story that you don’t want to end because it, and the characters, are so good. A good book can be read over and over without getting boring, keeps you turning the pages and dreading the end, and has you thinking about what you’ve read even when you are well into another book.

The author can’t “cheat” with the plot and uses great language. I like humor, particularly if the humor is dark or sarcastic. Although, sometimes unexpected silliness is great too. Being truly funny isn’t easy to pull off. There are so many authors I enjoy, from Stephen King to Jane Austen (of course!). Janet Evanovich always cracks me up, and I like the Dexter books as well.

OK, I’ll just be honest. I’m a book whore. If it’s well written I’ll read it and I don’t really care what the genre is. Other than romance novels—I can’t stomach those. I always have to have a book to read. I’d go a little nuts otherwise.

@upholstry Just because it was april fools day. ;)

I don’t like romance, and I can’t stand non-fiction. But I love to read.

I love when you don’t know what will happen next.

@mangeons, I used to avoid nonfiction like the plague. Sometimes though a work of fiction would interest me in knowing more about something, and I’d pick up a nonfiction book related to that topic. I still enjoy nonfiction that reads like a novel, though. If it’s too dry and stuffed with facts, I just can’t keep with it.

@MissAusten I agree with what you said about it making you sad when you finish it.

I think the characters in a book always need to have flaws. Otherwise, you’re really bothered by them.

I love humor in books; I don’t really go for the books about the drunk parent who beats on the kids/wife. The only non-fiction I like are from Malcolm Gladwell.

I need humor, humor is good.

I agree with the flaw idea, but not so much bothered by them, but bored with them. If they’re perfect, then nothing bad ever happens to them. What’s the point?