“What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?“
I am an optimist when it comes to books. This isn't a guanteed thing though. There are several factors that help my optimism along. For one, if this book has been given some high reviews helps me plug along. If I have read something similar that I loved I will push forward. The most important factor is good character development. If they have managed to create a character that I am invested in I will read through the book. Sometimes, I have read till the end and been rather disappointed when things didn't work out well.
As for when do I call it quits there are a few warning flags. If I have been trying to plug along and find myself yawning or thinking about doing the dishes; well we have some obvious troubles. Another thing I can't read through is excessive swearing, annoying main character, or characters that can only think about sex almost from their entrance into the novel. I feel that these rather detract and I start rolling my eyes and even hoping bad will come to the characters. A few too many books lately I have wished the main character was dead just to put me out of my misery.
