Are there key words on the jacket that puts you OFF a book?

[sweetnessandlite]

Me?

As soon as I read the words 'Cornwall' or 'Painter' or 'tea shop' or 'young mother'
I immediately Put The Book Back.

Why do a lot of female authors set their story in Cornwall? It's so boring and predictable.

'real/true story'
'this book will change your life'

The word 'fantasy' would put me off, or 'werewolf', or 'vampire', or 'creatures' or magic.

Can anyone say what key words on a jacket would actually make you read further? need ideas for next book that people actually want to read

mausmaus, I'm a sucker for self-help books not that they ever work

Can anyone say what key words on a jacket would actually make you read further
FantasticButtocks, I was wondering the same thing! Maybe you could start a topic asking that question?

'magic'
'magical'
'magical realist'

'bawdy' (only applies to novels from the 40s and 50s)

'exquisite'
'meditation'

Historical.

I would, sweetnessandlite but am just about to go away so wouldn't be here for long to join in the conversation...

Have been trying to think what my answer would be, and I cannot think, except to say that if the title intrigues me, and I like the design of the jacket, then I will pick up the book and start to read the first page. I really need to be grabbed by the first sentence, or at least the first paragraph.

I really need to be grabbed by the first sentence

That is really important.

Once I've read the Blurb on the back, I usually read a bit of the front page and it that doesn't grab me then...........

The front page is VERY important! It's the bit that Draws The Readr In.

Good luck with your book! :)

If a book is described as "magical" then I want actual bloody wizards shooting actual fireballs, and preferably dragons too, or my money back.

Even worse than 'magical' is if it's 'truly magical'

I avoid anything claiming to be 'choc-lit' too. WTF is 'choc-lit' anyway? Anyone know?

I haven't hear of chock-'lit, is that chick lit with chocolate involved?

Cheap, churned out, talentless garbage.

No idea what it is - but frequently see books on amazon described as such. As I automatically avoid them, I'm probably never going to find out what it means.

When the story SWEEPS from one place to another e.g. London to New York. Don't know why but it goes straight back on the shelf!

Ireland
Spy
Cupcake
Knitting
Strong Circle Of Women
Heart-warming
Country
Historical

It's amazing I can find anything I do like

DH bought me One plus One for my birthday does he even know me? Really struggling. Does it stay awful? Maybe I could get away with telling him it was so good I read it extra fast?

Fullpleather, all of those things!
Costanza, the name alone puts me off!

Anything that implies only simpering idiotic women will like it: cappuccino read, chick lit... I would also like to hit anyone caught reading this bilge round the head with it, preferably the hardback version.

Going Off Tangent a bit:-

What makes a Great Book?

Speaks to you as if it were written just for You

This is where Stephen King scored, in the early days - he had the common touch.

In The Stand, where he goes into detail about a Sarah Lee Cake of all things!
Genius! He knew how to reach people with his writing - he spoke in PLAIN Enlgish.

English!

I agree Eliza. "New York-London-Tokyo, this book takes you on a thrilling race across 3 continents!" Aaargh!

The other thing I hate is the reference to other authors. "As good as Grisham!" "Reichs, Cornwell and Childs all rolled into one!"

Oh and books are never funny if there are reviews like "I laughed on every page!", "Don't read this on a crowded train!".