What's In It For You?

When a writer writes a book and it's published and put up for sale, you the reader have to ask, what's in it for me? 

The first thing I look at is the book cover. It has to tell me something about the story. I love spooky houses, tales from the dark side, and generally romance, but not always. 

I enjoy books that flow well, have great characters, and tales that in some way, shape, or form, have a moral, even if it's just, the good guy wins. 

I know this isn't fashionable, but I'm not going to spend double digits on a short book. I just don't feel I'm getting my money's worth. So the second thing I look for is how thick the book is. 

Next is the author. I have no problem giving a new author a first try. I have discovered many different authors in several different genres this way. If the cover is good, the back well written, and the intro interesting, I'll buy it. 

After my purchase, I find myself some quiet time. I live in a busy house, so I've learned to tune out the television, kids, and husbands. Unfortunately, the phone gets me every time. I used to smoke. Now when the phone rings, I pop some gum in my mouth and go sit on my deck and chat. Habits are hard things to break. 

If the book is good, I can be done that day or if it's like Stephen King's The Stand, it might take me a couple of days and a night or two. I love to read. It's better than gambling. Well, sort of. Dang, those penny machines. 

If the novel is good, I give it away to the first person who says, gee that looks good. They always tell me they'll have the book back in no time. I tell them to forget about it. A good book is made to enjoy and savor with cookies, wine, chocolate, and ice cream, not necessarily in that order. 

I like my books to move me, tell a good story, and teach me things. I want them to scare me, make me laugh, make me not want to put it down no matter the cookies are frying in the oven. 

So the next time you go to pick out a book, find something you enjoy. Something that transports you out of the here and now to another reality where marvelous things can happen. 

 If you like to read, and you want something for your money, and you like well-written characters, give Gemini Rising a try. I love that book and put my heart and soul into it. Perhaps you'll like it and cover its pages with all the things you love. Foodwise that is. Though a drop or two of wine couldn't hurt.