What is your definition of a great book?

1. 60

   giselle2323posted 14 years ago

   What is your definition of a great book?

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2. 59

   quentin markerposted 14 years ago

   something that you can relate to. i feel that it is all about your mind set at the time. its good to read about something that you are going through because most books will have a conclusion and may possibly help you to find answers to questions that float around in your head.

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3. 75

   tritrainposted 14 years ago

   One that is thought-provoking and/or entertaining from beginning to end.

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4. 60

   lilibeesposted 14 years ago

   A book that you just can not put down and when you do you are still thinking about it!

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5. 56

   lovestowrite10posted 14 years ago

   A book that gives you strong emotions or feeling while reading it.

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6. 71

   home witchposted 14 years ago

   I think there are a number of factors that make a great book. One is that it makes you think about the world you live in through different eyes. Another is that it makes you become a better person or teaches you a valuable lesson. But being moralistic or knowledge giving is not enough to make a good book, it must be written well, it must prove itself to be worth reading and re-reading, it must be unputdownable. Moreover, it must be something that will stand the test of time. There are lots of books that seem good today, but if you look at them in 10 years time, they will seem passe and completely useless. This is not a great book, a great book is all of the above qualities and much more. It must be one that you will love, will treasure and will want to turn to again and again.

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7. 69

   Klenaposted 14 years ago

   A book where lines or scenes come back to you. A book that after you've read it, you feel a sort of sadness because you feel like something's closed or finished within you.

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8. 57

   adair_francescaposted 14 years ago

   page turner, you just can't stop reading it and you wan't to finish it right away.

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9. 57

   royalbertposted 14 years ago

   The one after which reading you feel that you have learn something from it not just read it.

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10. 61

    kookoo88posted 14 years ago

    A book with fascinating characters that I want to get to know and spend time with.

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11. 61

    erumkhanposted 14 years ago

    The best book is one which makes you laugh and cry at the same time...like when i read Harry Potter and The Lords of The Rings, i found myself both laughing and crying...........its funny but true!!

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12. 77

    tomsumposted 14 years ago

    Something that is easy to read but doesn't treat you like an idiot. A book where you could easily forget to get off at your stop (although doing that is really annoying!). Sucks you in so you forget where you are and how much time has passed!

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13. 61

    Dawn Tateposted 14 years ago

    One that drew you in so well that it was actually hard to pick up a different book.
    
    I find myself tossing a lot of books out of my library because their first chapter didn't draw me in or sounded too dull and boring with a regurgitation of the same social or emotional issues as the last one I read.  Whiney male/female books will make me throw the covers over my head.

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14. 59

    sturner1posted 14 years ago

    A book that resonates with you even after you read the last page. A book that you want to read again even after you know it's ending. So good that you dream about it, and it's like you are there. It made you laugh, cry, sit on the edge of your bed, and dare to turn the page.

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15. 60

    HerbalMarvelposted 14 years ago

    One that absorbs me - I read for escapism and need to become absorbed.  The problem is poor writing brings me out of it, so I need a well written book!

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16. 55

    J0gg1s3nposted 14 years ago

    A good book is a book, which makes you think "one more chapter, and I'll go to bed" at least a dozen times

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17. 61

    AllAboutCoffeeposted 14 years ago

    A non-fiction book about home businesses and internet marketing that I actually get good ideas from and can use right then and there.

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18. 74

    Big Brotherposted 14 years ago

    To start reading today and to finished the same day... This is a really great book...

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19. 59

    brandonakellyposted 14 years ago

    It would depend on how you look at it really.. a great book could mean that it is extremely popular, such as Harry Potter and can't stay on shelves. On the other hand, a great book could also mean that you thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would most likely read it again.

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20. 61

    larryprice5372posted 14 years ago

    I like a book that is either historical fiction or non-fiction.  I like to read stuff with educational value.  Fiction is okay if there are real characters in the story.  An authors ability to build fictional characters that are likable or interesting is also important.
    
    I've always liked James Mitchner.  He built brilliant characters while telling wonderfully interesting stories.  There are many that measure with Mitchner, but I'll not go into all of them.
    
    I also love the Dickens novels.  His ability to build characters and themes with moral value is unchallenged.

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21. 65

    LSpelposted 14 years ago

    What a great question. My definition of a great book is one that you end up reading within a day, no matter how long it is. Also, one that really pulls you in. The kind of book that you actually feel like you're a part of.

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22. 60

    smelloftruthposted 14 years ago

    The book that inspires me for many days to come and matches my aspirations.

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23. 58

    Stanley0816posted 14 years ago

    One Hundred Years of Solitude, by Gabriel García Márquez.
    Enjoy

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24. 62

    jenniryanposted 14 years ago

    a book that is easy to ready, inspires you to do the things that inspire you and makes a lasting impression on you.

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25. 60

    tinawehaposted 14 years ago

    To me, a great book is a novel that transports me to a different time period.  I like historical fiction.  Some of my faves have been Clan of the Cave Bear (for women), The Autobiography of Henry the VIII by Margaret George, Reindeer Moon, and Shogun.

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26. 99

    Docmoposted 14 years ago

    A great book is not just a good book. A good book i one that you'd finish, one that entertains and may grip you from start to finish.
    
    A great book is a keeper, a kind of book that keeps on giving every times you come back to it. It has many layers and dimensions. It will show an authors passion, will have three characters with depth that are constructed well and not cardboard cut-outs put there  just to drive the plot. It will stand the rigours of time and will resonate for years to come. A great book is one you want to share, to gift to another book lover.

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27. 60

    MarieOaksposted 14 years ago

    Either:
    *a book that, while I read it, I don't even realize I'm turning the pages because it is so engaging and reads like a movie in my mind.
    *or, a book that, while I read it, I put down often to think about the implications, the content, etc - a book that I'm learning from with every page.

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28. 69

    davidrioposted 14 years ago

    I believe  a great book is:
    
    1-something that stands the test of time: you can read it 20 years later and still be amazed
    
    2-transcends his author: the book becomes part of the cultural heritage of mankind putting the author at a subsidiary level
    
    3-a masterpiece that leaves an open end, as if you wanted to write the sequel
    
    4-enables readers from different regions, beliefs, genders and ages ( beyond 18 years old) to enjoy reading it
    
    5- is composed of chapters\parts than alone could make perfect starting points to other great books
    
    Some of the books that  fit in this category: from whom the bell tolls ( Heminghway), 1984 ( O.Wells), democracy in America ( A. Toqueville), Grapes of Wrath ( J.Steinbeck),Gulliver's Travels (J.Swift) or  Brave New World (A.Huxley)

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29. 0

    surlyoldcatposted 14 years ago

    So far there are some really good points that describe what makes a good book.
    
    For me, personally, if I wind up jumping and yelling at the characters, or start blubbering, or give a huge fist pump when the good guys win, then it's a good book.
    
    When a tale becomes an emotional investment, it's a damned good book.

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30. 60

    superciborposted 14 years ago

    There is not such thing as a  bad book because  we  all can learn something  from them. There are  great  books  that  can  be boring and  others can make you  live your own  life through the eyes  of  a  writer.That  is  a great  book  for me

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31. 81

    rlleon42posted 14 years ago

    A book that passes time without noticing is a good book. A book that you rush home to read, or wake up early to squeeze in a chapter, thats a great book. Typically a book that has a compelling story that promotes attractive visualization of characters and locales, as well as plots that are suspensful and unpredictable.

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32. 61

    teamfusiongroupposted 14 years ago

    One I don't have to read ... no, one that is read to me? Nope, the one that is on audio?  Yes - that's the one for me. I am just too busy (a good busy btw) to be able to take the time for a book.  But I love listening to them while driving.

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33. 60

    DailyResearcherposted 14 years ago

    A great book is the one that we can relate to and learn from for the better, and maybe the one that also brings tears (for women)

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34. 60

    DerekWriteposted 14 years ago

    One where I come away looking at the world in a different light.

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35. 60

    carrentalinfoposted 14 years ago

    great book is book that is readable also the second, third time:)

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36. 58

    Teeboy1posted 14 years ago

    To me, a great book is the kind of book that after reading it, it would take me days before reading another novel. And you will find me reharsing every line and conversation

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37. 67

    tenordjposted 14 years ago

    To me a great book that captures my attention and pulls me into the story so much that when I put it down I cant wait till the next moment I can pick it up and dive right back in.

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38. 60

    Earthmother Maraposted 14 years ago

    A book that sucks you into its world as you are reading it, feels like saying goodbye to your best friend as you finish it, comes back to haunt you in waves and leaves you feeling a better-off, wiser or more understanding and compassionate person for having read it.

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39. 49

    I'mwiththeflowposted 14 years ago

    a book that I can't put down, that I'm always trying to figure out. A book that I can relate to, and because it was so good it's not compareable. A book that after I have read a little bit, I'm still thinking about what is going to happen next. A book that I can reccommend to other people and be totally sure they won't be let down. A book that I can understand, and a book that is realisitc yet imaginative, and most of all - A book that will make me think ...

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40. 61

    easyfreerecipesposted 14 years ago

    one that makes me want to keep reading, to not want to put it down even though my eyes are tired. one that i think about reading after i stop. one that i learn something from or gain new perspective from

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41. 61

    Azlynnposted 14 years ago

    Something that will hold my interest from the first page! And when it ends you wish it wouldnt have!

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42. 63

    swedalposted 14 years ago

    It takes a great book for me to read it more than once. So I would say one that I can read more than one time and still enjoy it.

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43. 61

    RunescapeProposted 14 years ago

    For me it's all about character development. If I can't really understand where a character is coming from, then I don't have any desire to read on.

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44. 0

    cillamposted 14 years ago

    something with a twist that makes you actually talk out loud.

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45. 68

    Kotoriposted 14 years ago

    - has characters whose actions are unpredictable
    - is able to carry many strands of plot at once
    - if fiction, feels like it could really happen (even if it's about aliens)
    - teaches you things without your noticing
    - feels like an old friend when you're done

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46. 60

    Msvirgoposted 14 years ago

    A book you can't put down.A book people can relate too or one you want to tell people about.Also at the end of it you wish it was longer.

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47. 80

    Danette Wattposted 14 years ago

    One that I don't want to end for fiction. For nonfiction, I want to learn something.

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48. 57

    helpheartburnposted 14 years ago

    A good book is like a tourist guide to the reality of its world. The book stops being and book and suddenly you find yourself seeing, hearing and feeling the sights and sounds.
    
    Have you felt like you *knew* the characters of the book after you finished it? It was like you saw and heard them for real.

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49. 60

    avalencia_25posted 14 years ago

    a great book to me is a book you cannot put down. It doesnt matter on its reviews or popularity if it can take you to another place/world then its a great book.

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50. 59

    memoretonposted 14 years ago

    A  great book is a book you cant put down, that reaches you and you connect with the author. Also a book that you remeber things from well enough to talk about them, that you refer to or read again and that you often talk about and recomend to others.

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