What I look for in a Book

Everyone always asks me what my favorite book is, and this is an extremely hard question. For me I think I have a new favorite book every month and it would be easier for me to give a list of my favorites rather than to name a single book. It is very hard to chose a favorite book of all time so I usually chose my favorite book in each genre I have read instead.

To be my favorite book a story has to contain a multitude of things along with having a good cover. I know they say to never judge a book by its cover but let's be honest, we all do. Some things I look for in a book are:

1. Likable characters

Every book I read has to have a character I can connect with or it will most likely go in my DNF pile. Sometimes the main characters have their flaws but if there is at least one or two characters I can look forward to hearing from I'm sold. I haven't had many stories where I didn't like the main characters but when it happens it really does ruin the book for me.

2. Romance

Even in fantasy novels I always look for a romance within the story. I feel that it adds a fun element to the book because you are constantly waiting for what's going to happen between them. A perfect example of this is the Mortal Instruments series (If you haven't read it please do). Clary and Jace, although they were questionable at times, ultimately had me excited to keep going but the couple that really took over for me was Alec and Magnus. I'm sure anyone who read the series can agree.

3. Sibling relationships

Maybe this is because I have siblings but this is something I have found so many people also look for in a book. A sibling relationship that I can never get over is the Song Sisters from the To All The Boys I've Loved Before trilogy. Their relationship was so sweet and genuine and definitely kept me interested in times where Peter and Lara Jean weren't the main focus, which we see more of in the book rather than the movie

4. The perfect setting

I am much more likely to read a novel that has an intriguing setting or a setting that I can vividly picture in my mind. Anna and the French Kiss, even though I have not been to France, had me feeling like I was there with them. I love foreign settings to the main character, probably due to my love of traveling.

Although I will read pretty much any book that's recommended to me, when searching for books these are the elements I ultimately look for.

-Hailey

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