10-05-2009
My Favorite Book Hooks
Word Lily recently had a post about the things that make her want to pick up that book – “book hooks”. Coming up with a list sounded like such fun, so I thought I’d give it a try, too.
Off the top of my head, here are 20 things that will make me pick up a book:
1. magic in our world, preferably with wizards
2. a bookstore (the cozier it sounds, the better)
3. food
4. art
5. a mystery
6. psychic powers
7. a Cinderella angle
8. an underdog
9. a library
10. a museum
11. detectives (I especially like a team)
12. very smart kids
13. computer whizzes
14. ghosts
15. artifacts
16. self-discovery
17. hidden talents
18. codes/ciphers
19. Arthur/Merlin. Preferably now rather than the past.
20. strange quirks
I usually like a combination of these hooks, but if a book has at least one, I’m sure to pick it up and take a closer look. If you haven’t read Word Lily’s post yet, check it out – she’s got a great list of book hooks up.
What about you? Are there any specific hooks that virtually guarantee you’ll give a book a closer look?
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October 5th, 2009 at 9:54 am
I love your list! I know what you mean, too, about things that “hook” a reader on a book. I love mysteries and well-written detectives, too :). As a matter of fact, one of my own blogpposts deals with that that very thing. It’s at: http://margotkinberg.blogspot.com/2009/10/hook.html
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Belle Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Thanks for the link, Margot. I’m having problems loading it right now, but I’ll definitely check it out later.
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October 5th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Very fun post! I have a few, kind of strange, hooks. For some reason, I am very apt to pick up books on teenage pregnancy. And anything that has to do with Charles Manson will catch my eye too.
Stephanie´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday
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October 5th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Mm, codes, very cool! That could get me, too.
WordLily´s last blog ..Only Milo by Barry Smith
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October 5th, 2009 at 10:54 am
This is fun! I am currently reading The Cinderella Society so that is a hook for you? :)
I would have to think what mine are…
Sheila DeChantal´s last blog ..It’s Monday What Are You Reading?
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Belle Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I’ll have to check out The Cinderella Society – thanks!
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October 5th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Crime, obviously, and preferable with some good characters and an interesting environment.
What else? I really enjoy crime stories which have roots in some secret from the past.
Dorte H´s last blog ..Martin McDonagh, The Beauty Queen of Leenane (1996)
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October 5th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Hmm. Adult versions of fairytales, that’s the only one that springs to mind but with the way I read I know that there must be more. Explorations of race relations. Historical. I have to think more.
Nicole´s last blog ..A Change In Altitude, by Anita Shreve
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October 5th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
This is such a clever idea! I would have to think about it before coming up with a list for myself!
Meghan´s last blog ..Review: The Tudor Rose, Margaret Campbell Barnes
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October 5th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Oh, I’m not sure, but I’d say friendship, mystery, memoir, just to name a few.
Kathy´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday
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October 5th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
For me it would be intelligent, quirky characters working in a cozy bookstore who have just discovered a misplaced shipment of coded books that spies are now literally dying to get their hands on. Wait – Add in a cozy bakery next door to the bookstore.
Margot´s last blog ..Book Review: True Blue
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Belle Reply:
October 5th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
LOL I want to read that book, too, Margot – when you find it, don’t forget to email me the name of it. And if there’s a chance there King Arthur and Merlin might play a role, that’s even better!
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October 5th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Your post makes me realize that I haven’t the slightest idea – but there must be some – I just haven’t been paying attention! I can’t wait to quiz myself next time I want a book!
rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Have Whites Accepted A Black President?
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October 5th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Coffee, cozy bookstore too, any picture books or anything MG since those are what I write, the actual smell of coffee or winter. Plus about 50 other things that are too long to list here. Great post, Belle.
Oh and I’m definitely doing the fitness challenge. FOR SURE! *she looks down at her fatness* FOR SURE! :0)
Robyn Campbell´s last blog ..Strong characters
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October 5th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
What a great question!!!! I definitely have to do this one sometime!!! It is a neat thing to think about — and it definitely tells everyone something about you as a reader.
I enjoyed reading your list! Wouldn’t it be fun to imagine a book that combined all 20 of these! : )
Jenners´s last blog ..Review: Kane & Abel by Jeffrey Archer
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October 6th, 2009 at 6:08 am
Perfect, this list would work for me too, one more thing I like in a book is a romantic angle.
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October 6th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Love this! I’m going to have to think for a bit and perhaps do one of my own. Hummm. I love magic and Arthur and food but NOT ghosts and not necessarily psychic powers.
Beth F´s last blog ..Today’s Read: The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl
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October 7th, 2009 at 12:28 am
I like reading about very smart kids too. I’m also drawn in by anything dystopian.
Alyce´s last blog ..How to Rule the World From You Couch Winners!
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October 8th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Great list! Dreams are my big one. I adore just about anything that has to do with dreams. Ditto for ghosts. And the theatre!
Memory´s last blog ..The Third Quarter
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October 16th, 2009 at 9:31 am
[...] I borrowed this idea from Memory (Stella Mautina) who borrowed it from Ms. Bookish who borrowed in from Word Lily. So basically, it’s an idea lots of other people had that I [...]