What draws you to an author?

[davidvan1973]

It's weird because many times in the past, when I finish reading a book I really like, I automatically end up picking up other books by that same author, and eventually feel disappointed, because their work starts to look the same (Jodi Picoult, Mitch Albom, Dan Brown...). They are all really good authors, but you can't help but notice certain formulaic patterns and styles in their writing.

But ultimately, some people are drawn to certain styles of story telling, and so that's when you discover your favorite authors--it's more of a personal preference.

Books, however, can be recommended individually and on their own--to whichever person you think would enjoy it.

I agree completely. some authors definitely have fallen into writing the same book with different characters. Writing style is what does it for me. How they blend in character descriptions and actions. I find that i get distracted if they go too in depth with the scenery.

[kiwes]

I think you hit on most of the reasons I recommend my favorite authors. For me, it's not always about the genre, although I do have my preferences, but I think the writing style and strong storylines will make me an author's fan for life. For instance, Daniel Black writes very poetically. Having a strong poetic background myself, I'm drawn to writers who make a storyline appear like a movie reel in my mind with strong descriptions and depictions of the scenery. As long as the author doesn't over do it and allow the reader to fill in what they leave out, you can have a beautiful story come to the surface. Factor in his strong sense of southern themes, and I'm hooked.

The first book I ever read by him was Perfect Peace. OMG, that book blew my mind. It's about a mother who desparately wanted to have a girl, having four boys already, when her fifth child was born, it was a boy. She decided to make her little boy into a girl. That story hooked me immediately. Can you possibly imagine a mother going to such lengths to hide from everyone that her daughter, is actually a son. It was so raw and traumatic going through the lives of these characters, and told so eloquently by Daniel Black, you are just spellbound and mesmerized. He draws you into the story. You feel what the mother was going through, as well as the rest of the family, and how Perfect, that was her name, dealt with the harsh realities her mother bestowed upon her.

Anytime an author can make me feel a story in my soul, I'll love them pretty much forever! Needless to say, after reading that first book by Daniel Black, I read every one of his books, and not one of them ever let me down! That's why he's my all-time favorite author, although I could name more, but he's my ultimate. He takes me places I didn't realize I could go!

[pallycat]

I'll admit, I judge books by their cover. I like fun and interesting covers. I will also read some books that have been recommended by friends, depending on which friend. If the author is good, I'll look for more books of theirs.

[Tonya]

I have a wide range of authors and generes,so I can't really say,I would have to say that it's the way they tell their stories,and just their writing and being able to keep me interested in the book itself.

[H0LD0Nthere]

When I first pick up a book/ it's genre/subject matter. Then if it is well-written and ends satisfyingly (not necessarily happily), I am hooked.

Turn-offs: bad writing, cliches, overly rushed endings, sex scenes that are too detailed or seem gratuitous, overly graphic horror, also some worldview marketing. All this stuff did not bother me when I was a kid; I would plough through most of it, oblivious, as long as the book was fantasy or sci-fi. Now it bothers me a lot though.

[lyndsie_anna]

Oh Bukowski...he's a mixed bag and that's why I love him. His poetry is eloquent and breathtaking, and his stories are so raunchy and raw. I think that's it for me, at the essence of it...if a person has something to say. It's not so much that what they're saying is new, necessarily, but just that it's important and people are connecting to it in some way, whether they're drawn in or repulsed. Often, if people I like and respect recommend (or don't recommend a book) i want to read it to find out why.

[jlrossetti]

I agree that I hate when authors work all looks the same. I completely agree in terms of someone like Dan Brown. However, you referenced Jodi Picoult. While I agree, her work always looks the same (a court case/mystery of some type with the dramatic twist ending), somehow she still always keeps me on the edge of my seat. Her writings keep me intrigued and interested. I love reading the things she's written and am always eager to read when a new one comes out.

[christina_n_m]

What draws me to an author is connections and mysteries regarding their personal lives and its intersection with their writing. Kafka is a perfect example. The more I read his writing, the more I have to read biographies and research his life to understand the deeper meaning in his texts.

[Deia]

Mainly what draws me to an author is what genre they write in to start with, then the actual contents of a book, and finally how they tell the story. My favorite author is Frank Herbert, Dune is my favorite book and I think the idea of Arrakis and the sand worms is the coolest and most tantalizing idea I have ever come across.

[readerromance2003]

It depends on what mood I am in and what I feel like reading that day. Generally, I lean towards authors who are writing what I like at that time, if they have a series because it means more for me to read, if they are well recommend by other readers and even sometimes I just take a chance on them and if I like the first book I make sure I look for more.

[Shellbell1016]

In the past year I have asked for recommendations from friends on good books they have read lately. The topic of the book is a whole starter for me. There are a few authors out there who I read my first book from them and just have to read the rest of all the books the have written. The way they write and allow a reader's imagination to visual what is going on.

[Ani356]

Once I find an author, I hunt down all their books until I have to wait for new ones to come out.

Having said that, if the inside cover teaser doesn't seem worth it, or if the cover is boring, I might pass on it.

[PashaRu]

Among my favorite authors are Charles Dickens and O. Henry. This is primarily because of their writing skills. They were both excellent storytellers; Dickens' storytelling ability developed and got better over the years. His earlier works (i.e., Pickwick Papers, The Old Curiosity Shop) lack some direction and cohesiveness, but by the time he wrote Dombey and Son, his powers as a storyteller were very well honed. For me, the full-length novel was the forum in which he worked best. I don't care as much for his short fiction.

O. Henry was the master of the short story. His only novel, Cabbages and Kings, drags a bit and is stylistically very similar to his short stories.

Nevertheless, I always enjoy reading these two authors because their ability to use the English language always impresses.

[anomalocaris]

Professionalism first. If they can't be bothered to learn the craft, I can't be bothered to read them. After that, if it's fiction, character plays a big role for me. I'll forgive a lot of plot issues if I enjoy spending time with the protagonist. But if the protagonist is annoying, the best plot in the world won't make me stick with it. My favorite authors are ones who create lived in worlds, characters I care about, and generally have a way of conveying great emotion or atmosphere with only a few words. Jack Higgins, before he seemed to get bored with writing, was the master of this.

I once bought a book because of the author's photo on the jacket. He was seriously hot stuff. I was in a silly mood. The book was awful. Never finished it.

[Annalise Davis]

I read a very large and wide range of books. What I do is I search for a book I like and look at all the books similar to it. If I find another book that sounds good I read it and if I like it I will read more of that author's writing. It seems like the easiest way to discover authors. It helps also if their story starts with a page that will immediately capture me in it. I don't like slow books. So if it starts off right I will probably finish the book and enjoy it.