Welcome to Part 2 of “Spilling The Tea”. This time I’m talking about what I love to see in books. There are so many great aspects of books that make me fall in love with them. These are just a few of my favorites.
(For Part 1, click this link: https://cassandrastinger.com/spilling-the-tea-part-1-things-i-hate-in-books/)
Engaging Historical Fiction
Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres to read. I love when I pick up a book set in any time period that makes me feel like I am in that time period. I want to feel like I’m apart of the resistance in Nazi-occupied France, or roping cattle in the Old West.
Beautiful Covers
Most people judge a book by its cover. The reason being, is that a low quality cover is often perceived as an indication that the writing is low quality as well. Plus, the cover also is supposed to give you an idea of what the book is about.
This is why good covers are so important. Because even if the book is great, if the cover is terrible, not many people will read it.
Well Written Suspense
Suspense is a necessary part of nearly every genre, and when it’s done well, it can keep the reader engaged and elevate a story.
It makes us ask will the love interests get together? Will the hero avenge her family?
I don’t want to know everything right up front. Instead, I want the information and the story to come out naturally over the course of the book.
Unforgettable Characters
I want the characters that I read about to feel like their real people. I want to know what makes smile, what hurts their feelings, what drives them.
I want to see them fail and grow, just like real people.
Clean Stories
I don’t want to know anything you and your significant other do beyond kissing.
This why I appreciate authors who leave that out and instead focus on other, more important aspects of the story.
Author’s Notes
I’ve talked about my love for author notes on my blog before. (For that post, click this link: https://cassandrastinger.com/why-i-love-authors-notes-in-books/)
They are such a fun way to learn more about a book. For me, author’s notes are just another part of the story that goes deeper into the settings and the history behind it all.
Good, Sweet Men
I don’t understand the trope of main characters, (particularly women), falling for toxic abusers and everyone being okay with it. Love interests should be kind, not mean and cruel.
This why I love it when an author makes the makes the male love interests good, honest people, who make mistakes, but they learn from them and grow.
Nonfiction That Reads Like Fiction
I love when I pick up a nonfiction book and instead of facts alone, it reads like an in-depth story about real people and issues.
It’s important to have nonfiction books written this way because everyone has a story that can’t be reduced down to a few facts and numbers.
Stories That Never Get Old
There are some stories that are easy to come back to again and again. These stories become old friends that you read when you need comfort or want revisit something familiar.
I have books that I will reread every so often just because I love them.
Final Thoughts
Thank you for reading Part 2 of my Spilling The Tea Series. I have enjoyed writing this series so far.
If you would like to share what you love to see in books, send me an email or tag me on Instagram @cstingerwriter.
