What Attracts You To A Book?

That Stack Of Books with Nancy Pearl and Steve Scher - The House of Podcasts

Don't Forget to join us at Town Hall December 13th at 6:30 for a show about great books for gifts.

What attracts you to a book? What are you looking for when you are seeking out a book? We learned quite a few interesting things this time around.

For instance, the difference between a mystery and a thriller. Mystery writer Lisa Scottoline says in a mystery the detective’s life is not under personal threat. In a thriller the detective’s life or the life of family member or a friend is under threat.

What do you think?

Books we talked about December 2, 2015 at the Bryant Corner Café

Nancy recommends:

Seek out prolific mystery writer Jane Haddam. “Not a Creature Was Stirring” was her first book. Her main character is retired FBI agent Gregor Demarkian.

Also, for the map lover, “Transit Maps of the World: Expanded and Updated Edition of the World's First Collection of Every Urban Train Map on Earth” by Mark Ovenden

What books are folks around the table attracted too?

This simple question led to a deep discussion of taste, styles and relationships.

Bob likes books with a demotic style, Elmore Leonard, George Higgins, and Scott Simon’s “Windy City.”

Susie is predisposed to books that are set in a place that she likes, she reads the blurbs on the back and then reads a few paragraphs. She is drawn to books reviewed by authors she knows and newspapers she admires.

Kate picks up tips from interviewers she admires. She heard Bill Moyers talking to Marilyn Robinson and picked up her book. She is also drawn to a covers but then starts to dig.

Many of us like to read books suggested by family members. Then they can discuss them. Others join book clubs just to read books they might not otherwise never be attracted too.

Some of us just like to read around, a reference in a book suggests the next read. A curious mind takes you on a wonderful journey.

Robin likes to get recommendations from Nancy Pearl. So do a lot of us.

See you at Town Hall December 13th at 6:30 when a panel of book lovers will share suggestions for books to give as gifts. Hope to see you there. And drop by Tuesday December 8th at 3:00 when we are visited by a panel of children’s book librarians. They will talk about new books, classics and how they choose books for their shelves.

Happy Reading.

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