Recipe for a Great #Book

I’m not sure if there really is a recipe for the perfect book, but when I read a novel which I consider to be an exceptionally good book,  I try to analyse why exactly I thought it was brilliant. What made it stand out for me? 

There are a variety of objective (editing, plot…) and subjective (if I identify with the characters, preferred genre, expectations…) elements which determine a novel’s appeal, but they’re  not easy to pinpoint.

This morning on twitter, I came across this fabulous post by Rachel Carney http://createdtoread.com/about/ which identifies all the factors, which combined lead to a great book.

These are the characteristics Rachel Carney identifies:

1) The grip factor

2) A Plot that is Engaging

3) The Language Style

4) Speech that isn’t Confusing

I hadn’t thought of this one, but it’s so true.

5) Characters You Can See

6) A Satisfying Ending

7) Edited Thoroughly

8) Characters You Can Identify With

9) Meeting Expectations

10) The Approval of Jane Austen

I love this one!

“some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour are conveyed to the world in the best chosen language.”

(an extract from Northanger Abbey

Read the whole article. It’s fabulous!

What makes a good book ‘good’?

http://createdtoread.com/what-makes-a-good-book-good/

Any other factors you can think of?