Never Too Old For Y.A. & N.A. Books discussion

Nowadays, I mostly read sci-fi and fantasy. I used to read lots of classic and historical novels, too, plus the occasional mystery.

The first thing I read when looking for a book is the blurb on the back. I want to see a character I can identify with, facing an internal crisis I can identify with, in a place I've never been. I especially like the protagonist to meet ideas or personalities new to me, and see how the protagonist handles that.

The blurbs that grab me most also reflect the tone of the novel (serious, wry, laugh-out-loud, romantic, matter-of-fact).

What grabs you in a blurb?

I don't always read them Claudia. I like reading reviews because they explain more, I feel like. I am mostly a mood reader though so whatever I am in the mood for is what I gravitate to.

I don't always read them. In fact, it sometimes annoys me when they just give a blurb but not an actual description on the book. It's not always the biggest issue, since I don't see it often, but I have a few books like that, forcing me to look online for a full description. I sometimes look at reviews. I never read too much into them though because I'm afraid I'll find a spoiler or something. But when I go shopping for books, I'll read the first few pages. If it can catch me right off the bat, it's worth reading. otherwise, I'll do some research into it.

I definitely read the blurb. I'm not sure what grabs me. I think I look for something that seems fresh - not just boy meets girl or forces of darkness blah blah blah but something that tells me that this book is unique.

Also (and hypocritically since I am an aspiring self-published author), I look for some sign that the book is "legit" - ie that it has been recognized by respected reviewers and isn't just slush.

If it is not for a previously heard goöod review, I am looking for:
- a plotline that seems interesting from a psychological point of view and does not seem cliché
- something unique
- a character that seems either cool or really similar to me

Dorottya wrote: I am looking for:
- a plotline that seems interesting from a psychological point of view and does not seem cliché
- something unique
- a character ..."

That's what I look for, too.

But I never thought of writing my own blurbs that way!

It's difficult to say what I look for in a blurb. I suppose, mainly, some sort of passion. It seems if a book is written with passion and you can tell the author was really into it, then it'll be a good story.

I don't always read a blurb, first I see the cover art--BIG SUCKER FOR! Love cover art! Then I totally groove on the author, who wrote this; I am an author and genre fan first, THEN, if I get past all this I will usually hear your blurb before reading your blurb, but if I've read, I look for mood and emotion and something I have never heard of before that will grab my interest. I have a heavy fantasy content to my fandom so I wanna read-escape, hunny!

I read almost anything but mostly science fiction and fantasy