Let’s Talk Bookish – what makes a book a five star read?

It’s been a while since I’ve discussed something and since Let’s Talk Bookish has always been my favorite tag, I am beyond excited to write this post! The tag is hosted by Rukky @eternitybooks and  Dani @ Literary Lion. Today’s question What makes a book a five star read is not actually today’s topic, but I didn’t really know what to write for today’s question and so researched a few older ones and found this AWESOME question by M.T. Wilson @ The Last Book on the Left – so let’s get into it!

#1 A fast paced plot

My first thesis here is quite controversial since many people love long, detailed descriptions, whereas I don’t particularly fancy them. A few here and there, I absolutely don’t mind – but the plot has to be fast paced, the beginning of the book shouldn’t be the description of an ordinary day for ten pages and then get going, but should get to the point rather quickly.

For instance, many people loved the long descriptions of the woods and the journey in Lord of the Rings, whereas that factor was the reason I stopped reading it. I need a gripping plot – not necessarily action, fighting or drama, but simply something meaningful and deep that really enchants me. A page turner.

Great examples: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Winter by Marissa Meyer

#2 Complex and relatable characters

The points aren’t crucially in one order, because what is a fast paced plot when all of the characters are transparent and boring? The complexity of characters is undeniably of uttermost importance: if the character is see-through, all of the actions are predictable, they don’t resemble real people and the page turner effect is impossible.

The best villains are characters that don’t kill for the sake of it, don’t burn cities to ashes just for fun, but who have flaws, good sides, a moral compass, inner conflicts and childhood trauma and who struggle with their identities, but ultimately turn bad. The best protagonists aren’t the ones that are heroic, are able to achieve everything perfectly and on the first try, but the ones that were born like everyone else, but keep on standing up and dust themselves off after another failure, who are good-hearted and lovable characters.

Furthermore, I love characters I can relate to, who resemble me, may have the same problems such as being introverts, start studying somewhere new, have lost family members and one can learn how they cope with distress and maybe find common feelings and insecurities…

Great examples: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard for the awesome villain, The Dark Artifices for the great protagonists

#3 Enchanting writing style and atmosphere

Last but not least, obviously – the writing has to fit the book, the characters, the plot and obviously has to suit the reader. I often don’t enjoy too complex writing styles because that forces me to really pay enormous attention to grasp every detail and then sometimes when I’m surrounded by people, I get tired very easily… I love a big variety of adjectives and verbs, old and foreign words when describing a fictive place, a magical atmosphere.

I absolutely love Cassandra Clare’s writing: she’s elaborative, but easy to read. She incorporates a poem at the start of every chapter I love (that’s where I found my favorite ever poem Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe), because it describes the actions of the forth going chapter, is incorporated in the chapter’s title and just gets the vibe every single time!

Great examples: Normal People by Sally Rooney for a fitting atmosphere

That’s it – tell me, what are your most important aspects? Happy reading!