My Journal

What I like to read (and don't like to read)

What I like to read
I like to read stories that surprise me.  If I can figure out what's going to happen at the beginning, why should I read it?  I shouldn't be able to predict the ending even though all the clues are there.  The main characters should be likeable, or at least interesting enough so I care about what happens to them.  I like reading about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Descriptions should be vivid but shouldn't keep the plot from moving.  I don't care if you "tell" the story instead of "show" it as long as you keep my interest.

What I don't like to read
I don't like stories with a 'tortured" main character with a screwed up personal life. I'm sick of detective stories that concentrate more on the detective's love life than the case. If I read one more novel with a bitchy heroine who treats the poor hero like dirt and then realizes she loves him at the end, I will scream! I don't like stories where likeable characters get killed. Little kids and animals shouldn't get killed even if they aren't likeable.