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Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten (More) Things That Make Me Instantly Want to Read a Book


There are lots of things that make me want to read a particular book. Perhaps it's written by a favorite author or it utilizes a trope I enjoy or the cover just screams, "Pick me up!" What attracts another reader to a certain volume might turn me off completely. Selecting the right book is a very objective process. Today's TTT prompt—Top Ten Things That Make Me Instantly Want to Read a Book—is all about those specific reasons you find certain books alluring. I created a list for this topic back in 2018 and nothing much has changed. I'm a creature of habit. Coming up with an additional ten for today's list was a bit of a struggle, but I managed it.

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl. Click on over and give her some love!

Top Ten (More) Things That Make Me Instantly Want to Read a Book
- Covers indicate a book I have read and enjoyed that fits the category. - 


1. Family History/DNA—I'm a genealogist, so I'm naturally drawn to books about this hobby and industry. It's endlessly fascinating to me, whether it's being examined in a novel, memoir, or popsci volume.


2. Locked-Room Mysteries—My favorite kind of mysteries are those where the killers and victims are closeted together in an intimate, claustrophobic setting. Remote islands, Antarctic outposts, secret towns in the Yukon...I love them all. Even better if there's a vicious storm brewing to complicate things even more!




3. Depression/Dust Bowl—It's not a very uplifting subject, but lately I've been very intrigued by this era in American history.


4. Appalachia—I've never been to this area of the U.S., but I'm still fascinated by the region with its hills, hollers, and unique way of life.


5. Catchy Titles—If a book's title makes me smile, laugh, or wonder, I'll probably pick it up. I find cozy mystery titles involving cheese especially hilarious.


6. Moody, Broody Covers—Give me all the windswept old houses, angry seas, desolate landscapes, and stormy skies. Atmospheric covers always appeal to me. 


7. Based on a True Story Historical Fiction—I'm a big hist-fic fan, especially when a novel tells an obscure/untold tale that is based on real life.


8. Knives Out-ish—Ever since this popular movie came out, I've seen a bunch of mystery novels comparing themselves to Knives Out. Although none of the ones I've read so far have really charmed me as much as the film, I still rush to read them. 


9. One Thing Wrong Cover—Books about communities that seem placid and upstanding on the outside by harbor deep, dark secrets always appeal to me. I love covers that illustrate this subtly, with just one little thing out of place to show that not everything is what it seems.


10. Books—This one will shock exactly no one. If a cover features a stack of books, a bookstore or library, and/or a bookish title, I'm in.

There you go, ten more things that draw me to certain books. What subjects/tropes/cover images, etc. never fail to hook your interest as a reader? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. I also reply to comments left here.

Happy TTT! 

66 comments:

  1. I like reading about family history and genealogy, too. It’s a fascinating subject.

    Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.

    Lydia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. I'm intrigued by family stories, research tools, methodology, DNA, all of it! It's enlessly fascinating.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lydia!

      Delete
  2. I like books about books too!

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    Replies
    1. I think a lot of us booklovers do. Bookish books are just so fun and relatable!

      Thanks for popping in!

      Delete
  3. I love the one wrong thing cover description. I so agree. When an author can take something that is generally considered safe and pleasant and skew it - love that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same. It's my favorite setting for a mystery/thriller. I love when they leave me feeling wrongfooted and wondering exactly what is going on here!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Tanya!

      Delete
  4. Books is one of my favorites, settings / tropes too. I just finished the ARC of the wishing game. A mysterious author who lives on an island and a contest (Like Willy Wonka) for a reader to win his last manuscript. Is so good,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds like a super fun book! I've never heard of it before, so I'm going to go look it up on Goodreads. Thanks for the rec.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Vero!

      Delete
  5. Love your choices for this week's TTT. I love books about books, too. Locked-room mysteries always draw me in, as do broody covers and any story set in Appalachia. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great reading minds think alike! This must be why I enjoy your blog so much :) We have a lot of common reading (and other) interests.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lark!

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. Locked-room mysteries are the best. Authors have to be especially clever to fool the reader when there are only so many suspects to choose from!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Greg!

      Delete
  7. An Appalachian setting always grabs me too! Especially if it's in my adopted home state of North Carolina.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's always fun to read about a place/area you know and love. I've only read a few books set in my adopted home state of Arizona.

      Thanks for stopping in, Rachel!

      Delete
  8. I'm another person who loves to read books set in the Depression/Dust Bowl era. I also like books-about-books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know why I find the Depression/Dust Bowl era so fascinating. I just do! And books about books are just the best. They make me feel so seen!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deb!

      Delete
  9. I loved The Wrong Family! I know what you mean about that cover. Makes you curious, right?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know if I absolutely loved THE WRONG FAMILY, but it has definitely stuck with me. The premise is just so unique and terrifying!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deanna!

      Delete
  10. I could have had a list of 20 this week! I love your list! Have you read Out of the Dust (MG/YA novel in verse)? And books about books/bookshops/libraries are my kryptonite. ~ Carol @ reading ladies

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! I loved OUT OF THE DUST. Great book. Bookish books always get me to. It's impossible to resist them.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carol!

      Delete
  11. I'd quite like to read The Inheritance Games! I haven't read it or the mystery books by Holly Jackson yet, but both do sound interesting. Hoping I read them at some point! :) Thanks so much for visiting my website today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're missing out! THE INHERITANCE GAMES is a good one. I didn't like the second book as much and I still haven't read the final one, but overall it's a fun series. The Good Girl's books are great. I've read the whole series and really liked it. I hope you enjoy all these when/if you get to them.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Rissi!

      Delete
  12. I basically have all of these things in common with you except the genealogy one, only because I haven't come across any books on genealogy. However, the subject is fascinating, and I think it would be so interesting to read books about it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, for sure! The one I listed in my post is really good. It's interesting and approachable and gives a good overview of DNA and the role it plays in genealogy research. It uses real stories about real people and issues, so it's just an absorbing read. I also enjoyed A.J. Jacobs' IT'S ALL RELATIVE, which is a funny exploration of family history research as a hobby and practically a lifestyle! It's entertaining, although I like THE LOST FAMILY better.

      If you're interested in looking at your own family history, I highly recommend making an account on FamilySearch.org and creating your own family tree. As soon as you add a deceased ancestor, your tree will automatically populate with information already in the site's vast database. You'll have lots of great information right away and see where you need to keep researching. The site is completely free and easy to use. If you need help getting started, just let me know. I'm happy to walk you through it.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Leah!

      Delete
  13. I agree with you on books with books on their covers. I tend to gravitate towards books like that, too. 😀

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They just feel like home! Bookish books always have and always will call to me.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Nicole!

      Delete
  14. I am loathe to admit that a good cover can really convince me to read a book (and vice versa unfortunately). The power of a cover artist is strong.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In your defense, the artists come up with some pretty incredible book covers. It's hard to resist gorgeous, eye-catching cover art!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Helen!

      Delete
  15. I want to read Kristin Hannah. I somehow haeve never read her books. I own The Four Winds, so I should try it soon! I've heard great things about The Inheritance Games - I have started it and enjoyed what I've read so far!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like Hannah's newer books. My favorite is THE NIGHTINGALE, but I also enjoyed THE GREAT ALONE and THE FOUR WINDS. THE INHERITANCE GAMES is a fun read. I'm picking up the final book in the trilogy from the library today, in fact. I hope you enjoy these if you end up reading them.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Molly!

      Delete
  16. If anything ever gets compared to knives out I will for sure be picking it up too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? It's such a fun movie. I've yet to read a book that REALLY compares to the film, but I'm still drawn to anything that makes the promise!

      Thanks for popping in, Jess!

      Delete
  17. I'm with you on books on the covers (and I happen to love that Jenny Colgan book!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're downright irresistible! I've only read a couple of Colgan books, but I loved them both and really need to read more of hers.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lisa!

      Delete
  18. I live in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, and I highly recommend visiting Appalachia. There is also a great Instagram page, StoryAppalachia, with lots of history and folklore about Appalachia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really would like to visit there. It seems like such a beautiful place with a unique culture. Maybe someday! I will check out that Instagram page. Thanks for the suggestion.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Bonnie!

      Delete
  19. Books about books are a big thing for me as well. Happy reading! My TTT https://readwithstefani.com/things-getting-in-the-way-of-reading/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that's true for most, if not all, book lovers. Those kinds of books just make us feel seen and at home. I'll never not love them!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Stefani!

      Delete
  20. I love trying to figure out a good locked room mystery!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? It's so entertaining, not to mention so satisfying when you get it right!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Louise!

      Delete
  21. Books on covers also always draw me in. Every single time :) And yes to a catchy title! I do love cozy mysteries titles :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same. I also love a bookish cozy mystery. Those are always fun!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lindsey!

      Delete
  22. YES to "based on a true story." That's the fastest way to make me snap up a book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, it just makes the story more interesting to know that it's at least based on real happenings. I'm a genealogist, so I always look up the intriguing real people I read about to see if we're related! LOL.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, AJ!

      Delete
  23. Great list! Covers for sure get me - all the time!! Books on covers are even more so one that I need to grab!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? Those cover artists sure know how to catch our eyes and make us want to read a book. They're so talented, which isn't good for those of us who are TRYING not to buy more books :)

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Leslie!

      Delete
  24. A great list. I struggled to think of 10 😂 I also love a locked room mystery, a catchy title, books with books, so many 😂

    Have a great week!

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I definitely have a lot of tropes/subjects/authors that make me want to read a book, but it was hard to think of them off the top of my head. Reading through other people's lists, I kept thinking, "Duh. That's true for me, too. Why didn't I think of this sooner?" LOL.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Emily!

      Delete
  25. OOoh nice ones! I find myself agreeing on a few of these myself!


    Thanks for visiting my TTT!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great minds think alike!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jessica!

      Delete
  26. Nice list, Susan. I am also one to be attracted to books about books, Books based on true history, catchy titles and stories set in Appalacia. I would add eye catching titles, reviews from bloggers I trust and sequels to books I loved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We definitely have reading interests in common. That's one of the reasons I enjoy visiting your blog so much :)

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carla!

      Delete
  27. Love your list! There are several on there I should have added to mine: historical fiction based on fact, books about family history (I'm adopted, and books about people who are adopted and find birth families are especially fascinating), Appalachia, locked-room mysteries, I'll read all of those!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not adopted, but I'm an adoptive mother and I have a number of adopted nieces and nephews so it's a subject that is near and dear to my heart. My husband and I love watching a t.v. show called Relative Race without our daughter. It's excellent and sparks great conversations about adoption, family, genetics, etc. I recommend it if you like that kind of thing. Just keep tissues handy!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lisa!

      Delete
  28. 100% to all of these! Especially the Family History/DNA. I can't resist books that even hint at that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me neither. It's a subject I just cannot get enough of! Whether is non-fiction or fiction, if it's got a family history/DNA angle, I'm in!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Katherine!

      Delete
  29. Locked room mysteries can be so fun when they're done well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed. I just love them!

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Dedra!

      Delete
  30. I always love books about books and I'm a big history nerd so any historical fiction based on a true story will always pull me in. I tend to watch more mysteries than I read, but I always love a locked room because it's so tricky to work out who did it (and I always feel very smug and clever if I do-which to be honest is rarely!).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly! I feel so smart when I figure it out :)

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jo!

      Delete
  31. Some interesting topics to read. I totally follow your wish to read everything about the dustbowl although it is a sad topic. I get that with WWII stories, a lot of people say, not again, it's so depressing but I seem to want to know it all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agreed! It seems macabre to "love" stories about things like WWII and the Depression, but I do. I think what I enjoy is reading about people overcoming hardship and triumphing over struggles. It's inspiring to me.

      Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Marianne!

      Delete
    2. That's the thing, we need to know about this and I like reading about stuff I don't know anything or a lot about. But I never know what to say why I like to read about it.

      Delete
  32. Catchy titles do catch my attention but often get my hopes up too high for some books haha.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Genealogy is such a cool thing to read about. I have a pretty detailed family tree that some of my relatives have mapped out for everyone, but there are a few stubborn ancestors that we know almost nothing about. Don’t you wish we all had time machines so we could go solve those mysteries of the past? :) I sure do.

    Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you for visiting it.

    Astilbe

    ReplyDelete
  34. Same! Especially 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 & 10. Well, really all of them!

    ReplyDelete

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