Quote Originally Posted by Razorfeld View Post
What am I reading? Every week and a half I go to the local library and bring home 4 to 7 books whose cover blurbs seem interesting. If I am not interested or fascinated by the time I've read 24 pages it goes on the reject pile. Prefer good sci-fi, well thought out detective mysteries and the occasional surprise in the general category. Above all there must be "real" dialogue between characters to move the plot along. I detest the endless pages of characterization and introspection many authors use to fill of pages (makes you think they are getting paid by the page) before they reveal any of the characters, plot and dialogue. Two current favorite authors tho are J D Robb, she writes futuristic murder mysteries (real name Nora Roberts) and Harry Turtledove who writes alternate history/science fiction. Did a fascinating history on the US if the confederate war went a different way.
I agree with you. I have spent many a night TRYING to read one of the so called classics or one of the top 100 books ever written. I might give them a little more than 24 pages though!

This leads to also why I will not bother to read a book twice. [I have done it. See my previous post about an instruction manual. ] To me a good author will get their point across the first time.