This week’s theme is ten things that immediately make me want to read a book. I’m pretty eclectic, so there’s a lot…
- A really pretty cover. I was hooked by the idea of Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone just from that cover.
- A unique-sounding magic system. Or combinations of magic systems that feel different, like Robin Hobb’s the Wit and the Skill.
- Genetics. Mostly if we’re talking non-fiction, but a good fiction plot around the topic works too.
- Non-traditional heroes. Like Kamala Khan as Ms Marvel, or the Jewish gay Billy Kaplan as Wiccan (originally Asgardian). Same goes outside comics, but they were the examples that sprang to mind.
- Non-traditional family structures. Like in Jo Walton’s Lifelode, for example.
- Not entirely humanoid aliens. Like the people on Winter in Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness, with their temporary genders and non-constant breeding cycles. I love it when aliens are genuinely alien in some way, even if it’s only a small twist.
- Found family. I’m thinking of Cherie Priest’s Bloodshot and Hellbent, but also the Phryne Fisher books and… goodness knows how many others. It just gets me, people making a family out of whatever they have, whoever they can find.
- Dead gods. Something about that concept just… intrigues. I’m reading Ben Peek’s The Godless at the moment, for example.
- Dragons. Because, uh, dragons!
- Mixing genres. A spec-fic spy thriller? Gimme! Noir robot detective? Yes please!
A lot of Indie books I read have drab covers so when I see some really nice ones I get excited! Bloodshot is a good example of a cover that really caught my eye browsing for books in Waterstones a few years back! Nice list!
I think the cover was actually what made me pick Bloodshot up as well, though in the library!
Pretty covers are totally a win for me. I like unique magical settings too. And dragons–yes!
Dragons are awesome!
I resisted pretty covers, but I am such a sucker for a beautiful book.
….and found family! Yes so much!
That’s the whole point of nice covers, after all!
Yeaaaah. <3
I like noir and sci-fi mixed up, and dragons are always good! Found family is another good one. And I really liked Robin Hobb’s magic system.
Greg recently posted…Top Ten Things That Make Me Want To Read A Book
Robin Hobb’s magic systems were really interesting, yeah!
Re: dead gods, have you read Ursula Vernon’s Digger? I think you might enjoy it.
I haven’t, I’ll keep it in mind!