Sometimes reading book reviews or critiques makes me feel very ignorant. Can’t help but be impressed with how well folks articulate why they like or dislike a novel.
I’m not like that.
Either I like it or I don’t.
I don’t read what I don’t like.
This question did however persuade me to find some reason why I like particular novels.
The Hobbit – whimsical, adventurous
The Lord of the Rings – epic adventure with familiar characters.
The Spenser detective series – smart alec thug with strict moral code goes around annoying people until he solves cases; doesn’t take shit from anyone but is girlfriend. His less morally conscious black friend is a hoot as well. I like the familiar characters, the sparse snappy dialogue and the fact that Spenser and Hawk often beat the shit out of anyone who stands in their way. (A vicarious thrill I’d fail miserably at.)
The Destroyer series – fantasy martial arts; policeman framed for a crime he didn’t commit “goes to the electric chair”, is recruited to be the US security arm for a top secret government agency and trained to master the mystical art of Sinanju by Master Chiun. The duo saves the world repeatedly, while insulting each other and ridiculing the day’s current events.
Harry Potter series – simply captured my imagination.