10 Responses to “Opinion Poll”

1. I read books that are comforting (cozy mysteries), or set in places I’ve never been to (England, France, Italy); and there has to be humor. Also, love books where the woman triumphs over a bad person or situation. I don’t want to read books that are creapy, scary or horrorifying. I’ve got the nightly news for that. The # 1 reason I stop reading a book is when it’s dumbed down to appeal to everyone because that’s just a waste of time. That’s why I love Diane Mott Davidson because she’s cozy, funny, smart and doesn’t dumb her books down. Also, Tom Schultz is very, very cute.

   by Melissa Balsam on October 1st, 2007 at 12:46 pm
   
   

2. I read a lot of non-fiction too, and books on spirituality. But I’ll give a new author a try, but something about the books–usually characters—has to catch me.

   by Maggie on October 1st, 2007 at 12:57 pm
   
   

3. I love mysteries, especially series mysteries because I like to see the characters grow book to book. I tend to read books written by female authors, with strong female leads, and I like the lead to be basically in my age group, which I consider to be mid-twenties to mid forties. There are a few exceptions, I love Clive Cussler, James Patterson and Michael Cricton. I tend to buy paperbacks because I take a book wherever I go and a paperback is very easy to throw in my purse. I tend to take some risks in finding new authors- the cozy mystery genre is booming right now with lots of new authors coming out - but I also always “stalk” my favorite authors to see when they have a new book coming out, if they put an excerpt on their website, what is it about, etc. And if one of my favorite authors has a new book out and I get it, I put aside everything else and read my fave’s new book.

   Michele - I found you by taking a chance. I was at my bookstore when Murder Uncorked first came out, they were unpacking it and I took a look and thought, “Hey, this looks like a book I would enjoy.” I bought it and read it that day and you are now one of my favorite authors. I have read and re-read everything that you have published and wait anxiously for “Tacked to Death” and especially for the next in the Wine Lover’s series.

   by Cathy on October 1st, 2007 at 1:27 pm
   
   

4. I have very eclectic taste. Cozy mysteries, Clive Cussler adventures, some science fiction & fantasies. If they’re funny, so much the better. If I want depressing and angsty, I can just watch the news.

   by Tori Lennox on October 1st, 2007 at 1:56 pm
   
   

5. Well, I like cozies a lot, though I prefer slightly less “cozy” cozies. I also read a lot of romantic suspense because I like the romance, but I want the thrill aspect, too. I read some thrillers (I’ll read anything John Connolly writes, including his columns, reviews, offhand comments…) and occasionally a humorous contemporary romance. I used to read a LOT more of those. Looking at my LibraryThing library I find I have a bunch of contemporary romance, but very little that looks as if I read it this year. I like darker mysteries, too, like Andrew Vacchs and Michael Connelly. In non-fiction, I read books on glasswork (my business), jewelry making, education (my former profession) and politics. I used to be an avid fantasy reader, but it’s been many years since I read those.

   Oh, and since my nieces and nephews are all under 6 years of age, I read a lot of children’s books!

   by Laura K on October 1st, 2007 at 4:01 pm
   
   

6. When I’m not reading cozies then I like legal thrillers. I read a lot of Lisa Scottoline and I read other types of mysteries. Sue Grafton, Sara Paretsky, I like Mary Jane Clark, Kate White, Kay Hooper and Tami Hoag.
   When I try a new author it’s almost always Chick Lit or Cozies and it does help if the cover catches my eye. I do tend to look for my favorite cozy authors and I do read historical cozies. I also like gothic mysteries. Recently I’ve realized I like time travel mysteries.
   For me besides the cover I listen to suggested new authors in reading groups, comb websites and amazon and when I get the chance I spend time in bookstores looking over the rows and rows of author titles reading back cover blurbs and I’m always thrilled when I find just the right new author. Recently it’s been John J. Lamb Claire Daniels.

   by Pamela on October 2nd, 2007 at 2:20 am
   
   

7. I’m all over the place in what I like. All types of mysteries and romance. I like biographies, but don’t read nonfiction nearly enough. The cover blurb has to grab me, and a good cover helps as well. If I’m waffling, I’ll read the first page of the story to get a feel for voice. Unfortunately, I haven’t been reading as much as I’d like! Somehow there’s just not enough time!

   by Heather on October 2nd, 2007 at 8:52 am
   
   

8. My favorite books are romantic supsense, although I do also like to read cozies, thrillers, some historical romances from time to time, Clive Cussler novels, and “family” stories along the lines of Susan Wiggs. But, even though I have my favorites, if something that I normally don’t read catches my eye, I will read the back and then usually read the first page or two. I’m like you and really like covers. I will always go back to my favorite authors, but I’ll give other authors a chance too. If it is an author that I have never heard of, I will usually at least read the first page…see if I like the writing style, if it sounds interesting, etc. I also like to try books from authors whom I have heard speak at conferences. That is how I first came across Murder Uncorked, when I heard you speak at the RWASD conference. There is something about the personal connection that you make by actually seeing the author, hearing him or her speak, learning about their own writing process and what gave them the idea for the story in the first place, that intrigues me and makes me want to read that author’s books.

   by Linda on October 2nd, 2007 at 11:15 am
   
   

9. I used to read thrillers and best sellers . I have added cozies and other mysteries as well as some of the better literature and buy them based on recommendations of other book lovers or bookreviews that I read. Some of my favorite authors are Vince Flynn, David Baldacci, James Patterson, Daniel Silva and Douglas Preston. I don’t have any favorite authors when it comes to cozies since I just started reading them 2 months ago. I am reading all different authors to see which ones I really enjoy.

   by Nan on October 4th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
   
   

10. Hi Michele. Yes, I know…I’ve been absent from here for a while…RL stuff gets in the way sometimes…Anyway…I love to read biographies and mysteries. Not the Sherlock Holmes or Agatha Christie mysteries….Although I have to admit Hound of the Baskervilles was pretty good. But more modern mysteries. Romance books bore me to tears..although Princess Daisy was pretty good. And I just finished a book called The Last Valentine…a DEFINITE must read. I guess you would classify it as romance, but not in the Harlequin sense. More like a very sweet love story that spans 50 years is how I would describe it. I used to love horror stories, but my nerves can’t handle them anymore. I also love books by Dr. Oliver Sacks, even though he uses way too many footnotes for my taste. The man is absolutely brilliant! I also read a lot of books about/by psychics and spiritual stuff. I am not into classics at all…the stuff everyone else was reading while I was growing up…Black Beauty, Stuart Little…stuff like that. Not for me. And I LOVE a good tear-jerker! Just about anything by Nicholas Sparks is WONDERFUL! And Ok, I guess he come under the heading of romance, so you’ve got me there.

    Yes, I buy hard covers, but mostly paperback because, let’s face it, they take up less room and are less expensive. But if it’s a book that I know I really, really want and will cherish for years to come, I will buy it in hard cover. And if it’s only in hard cover, well, I don’t have much choice, do I? There are some books I would love to read, but they are out of print and either impossible to find or too expensive if you do find them.

    As for what makes me buy a book, it’s the back cover synopsis. If it sounds good, I’ll buy it. Unfortunately, I have been disappointed several times. I used to just stick to my favorite authors, but lately, I’ll buy anything that sounds good to me. And yes, I share my opinions with others, so if I don’t like a book, I will definitely tell others not to bother. Same with books I like…if I like them, I’ll talk about them till I’m blue in the face to anyone who will listen. I never really felt compelled to write a review…I never liked reading critic’s reviews myself…They’re just payed opinions, KWIM? And I very rarely agree with critics anyway. Why subject others to my critique when I hate reading other people’s reviews?

    Traci

    by Traci on October 7th, 2007 at 3:00 am
    
    

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