This or That? #100!!!

My final question is…

What do you value most in a novel?

Quality writing ~ Character development ~ World building ~ Logical endings ~ Relatable characters ~ Real life situations ~ Storytelling

Something else?

(You must pick one)

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Alright friends. I know some of you may yell at me for only allowing you to pick one but c’mon you knew it was coming!

If you like, you can give your top 3 but you MUST rank them as your #1 pick will be the only one that counts toward results.

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I think my #1 would be……….storytelling. If you know me, you know I love me some Jodi Picoult. A part of the reason is because she has this incredible ability to tell a story in a way that makes you hang onto her every word while leaning off the edge of your seat. She is also the QUEEN of plot twists. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been reading one of her novels and gasped out loud or yelled “Oh s**t!” Her novels are told from multiple perspectives (usually like 5 or 6) and the details unfold so slowly and there’s always a surprise. On the other hand, this aspect is also the reason that I can’t stand John Green. When I was young I was taught that stories generally have a beginning, middle (climax/turning point), and end/resolution. When I get to the end of one of his books I always find it pointless and a waste of time with a disappointing ending.

#2 would be world building. I really really love when an author has the ability to pull me away from the real world and create an entirely new universe. For example, I really love the Shadowhunter world that Cassandra Clare has created. I also appreciate that she has so many books just within that one world that are interconnected. When I was reading The Mortal Instruments I picked up on a lot of reference from The Infernal Devices and I loved that.

My 3rd choice is real life situations. For this I’m thinking along the lines of Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher and Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. These books cover topics that people typically don’t want to talk about because it makes them “uncomfortable.” The fact of the matter is that these things happen and they need to be addressed instead of swept under the rug. Of course, the way that one situation is covered in each of these book may not represent everyone who has ever found themselves in that situation, but it’s important to realize that everyone is different and their experiences will be too. Just because I can relate to Ruth Jefferson in Small Great Things doesn’t mean that another black woman will. But that doesn’t mean that either of our experiences are invalid or that the book got it “wrong.” It just means that it’s one particular take on that situation where there could be plenty of possibilities and outcomes.

What about you? Which of these do you feel you most value? Is there something that wasn’t on the list? Let me know 🙂

~Rae

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