What Makes a Good Book (Part 1)

What makes a good novel? When I was young, I would read anything. Anything and everything. Basically, I've seen my share of books. Then... I became picky. I would no longer read works of fiction that wasn't good in a way I liked. I'd rather not waste my time reading stuff that I'd be unsatisfied with in the end. So what do I look for in a novel??

Characters:

I look for someone who I can relate to. Once I've attached myself to him/her, I'm basically inseparable. So I get pretty heartbroken if the character suddenly changes into a bad guy. Like Nathaniel in the Bartimaeus Trilogy.

I look for someone who is realistic. No matter what world or story it is, there are always imperfections. Or else it would be a utopia... and they all end up burning into ashes at the end anyway. So I like my characters REAL. They've got a real life, real friends, real problems, among others. They make mistakes, but they also learn. They succeed and they fail. I like it when they're not completely perfect.

Plot:

I like a plot that goes my way (as superficial as that sounds). When people end up the way I want them to or when the right side wins in a competition. It gives me a warm feeling inside. I'm not talking about one that's so expected that you know how the book is going to end after you've read the 3rd page. I enjoy one that has lots of unexpected twists and turns, but I like it when I keep on having to guess and then not being too far off the mark.

I really dislike books that the author forces. Let the story flow and take the reader on a spin. Don't make everyone walk one way just because this was how the author planned it in the beginning!

I like most closed endings with the hero prevailing. I know that makes me seem extremely shallow... but I can't help it. Really, it's just because I don't want to cry over a random book I decided to read or spend one night before my exams wracking my head over what could have happened next. I know if these situations do happen to befall me, the book must have been good. However, I just don't like them much. And I avoid them whenever I can.

Climax:

(Yes... it's got its own category. That's because it's really important for me. The climax of a story is when everyone in the story is standing on their tippy toes at the edge of a cliff and waiting for your little finger to push them over. From there, you can basically expect to either find spread wings, broken bones or cracked heads at the base of the cliff.)

I like drama, and I like it when things are fast and exciting. I don't like it, however, when the climax is so fast that it's over before you've even blinked your eyes. I mean, the whole introduction and rising action is supposed to be building up to the climax... how can it end in 2 seconds?? I shall not discriminate and name any books here.

Pace:

I like a pace in which I don't get bored or disinterested. One way to tell if a book's got a good pace is to close your book at a random page and ask yourself if you want to keep on reading if your friends are calling you to go out. Some might think that it's really the content of the story... but I disagree. Every book's got its own good points and interesting parts. It's just the location of these interesting parts that separate the good from the bad. So... if they're perfectly located, you should want to keep on reading.

Conversation/Dialogue:

(Some books don't have conversation. It's rare, I know but take a look at The Little House on the Prairie series. But most books do, and it's also something I look for in a novel.)

I like communication between people that is natural and has a purpose. Let me tell you, every good writer has a purpose for the words they make their characters speak to one another.

Take this for example:

"Have you seen Isabella? Did she leave?" asked John.

"I last saw her at the coke machine. She was talking to Jason, I think," replied Lianne.

This is sort of obvious. The writer might want to use this convo to insinuate that Isabella was with Jason. The way John asks the question also conveys a sort of urgency that sets the mood and tone.

But you might think that you've read some convos that seem completely unnecessary.

Take this for example:

"I've always liked dandelions."

"Is it because you're like one? I prefer roses myself."

Usually, this type of communication is used for character development or to progress the story in a way that's hard to detect. Perhaps the author is using it to expand the relationship between two people or in reference to a hidden symbol.

I don't like trashy stuff that are filled with convos with no meaning. Dialogue that is both witty and requires reader involvement is something that can only be achieved through practice.

There's a lot more to consider for WHAT MAKES A GOOD BOOK, but those are saved for later.