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

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Full prompt: Things That Make Me Instantly Want to Read a Book (these can be auto-buy authors, tropes you love, if an author you love blurbed it, settings, genres, etc.)

This is a really fun topic! I already had a handful of ideas when I saw the topic come up, and I’m excited to see what everyone else’s posts say about what makes them pick up a book.

May 23rd: Top Ten Things That Make Me Instantly Want to Read a Book

(Good) Illustrated Covers

A cover conveys so, so much about a book! And once you’ve been reading for a long while, you start to recognise the types of books you’re drawn to by their covers! Illustrated covers definitely convey a certain tone in Romance. I know a few people dislike them, but honestly, I really tend to love them! Depending on the colours, you can usually pick out the kind of story you’re about to read, too. Both Stars Collide and If This Gets Out are queer love stories with colours in shades of blue and purple, If Only You shows illustrations of the two characters in football and hockey gear, and is a lovely orange shade. There’s a lot more to these and many other illustrated covers, but you do tend to notice trends!

Publishers

Yes, there are books I pick up because I recognise (and love) the publisher putting it out. Not always, and this doesn’t really apply to the larger, traditional publishers , but when it comes to smaller and indie publishers, yeah, you start to recognise the quality of the work they produce. The one that comes instantly to mind is Titan Books, and they’re pretty much the only publisher I’ll regularly check on NetGalley, as I’ll know they have something I want to get my hands on!

It’s Sapphic

Honestly, I can’t resist a good wlw Romance. Truly, if I spot a sapphic romance, I’m definitely that little bit more likely to pick it up! Similarly, if the MC is a bi woman (with a male or female LI), that’ll usually sell me totally. There are just some things I can’t resist.

Witches!

I feel like I’ve been really drawn to witches the last couple of years, whether it’s a Fantasy like Her Majesty’s Royal Coven, or more of a Romance like The Ex Hex, there’s just something that keeps drawing me back. A title or cover that indicates something witchy immediately draws my attention.

Enemies/Rivals to Lovers

Yeah I admit, I’m a huge sucker for this trope – I can feel my eyes light up when I see it! The enemies/rivals element just makes things so interesting, and done well, I absolutely love that moment of oh shit I actually like them.

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Then there are, of course, a handful of authors I will always, always try and read…

It’s by…
R.F. Kuang

Kuang is, in my very humble opinion, one of the best writers around right now. Her books often tackle dark, complicated topics, and her skills are incredible. I still need to finish The Poppy War trilogy, but I’ve read Babel (incredible) and have Yellowface on my list, which I can’t wait to read.

V.E. Schwab

I was a bit late to the game with this particular author, but I devoured the Shades of Magic trilogy, adored The Near Witch, absolutely fell in love with Gallant and was totally hooked by The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. And I got to meet Schwab at a signing, with the tickets purchased as a gift by my partner. It was wonderful, and I’m so chuffed to now have my Shades of Magic books signed.

Angie Thomas

I admit, I fell in love with Thomas as soon as I read The Hate U Give. Such a great book, and as an author, subsequent books saw her go from strength to strength, with On the Come Up and Concrete Rose. I have Nic Blake on my TBR, and I’m excited to see something different from this author.

Elizabeth Lim

I was introduced to Elizabeth Lim via Reflection, the Mulan Disney Twisted Tales book. It’s excellent, and I loved it, and I was so excited when she released Spin the Dawn. I read the duology (great, highly recommended) as well as the next Twisted Tale she penned, So This Is Love. I definitely need to catch up on that whole series, but I also have Six Crimson Cranes to read, which promises to be another great read from a fantastic author.

N.K. Jemisin

An incredible SFF voice, every one of Jemisin’s books I’ve read have been excellent. The Broken Earth is a brilliant trilogy, Great Cities a wonderful duology, and How Long ’til Black Future Month? is an incredibly collection. I really want to check out the Inheritance trilogy at some point, but if you haven’t read the others, I really do suggest doing so!

I really wasn’t intending to list 5 authors, but once I thought of one, I thought of two, three…and it just kind of happened! But yeah, at the moment these are the things that’ll definitely have me requesting or buying a book! What about you? What’s the thing most likely to have you grabbing a book for your TBR at the moment?