It's that time again! Feature and Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read and is a GREAT way to gain new followers and new blogs to follow yourself!!
This week's featured blogger is Progress and Procrastination - go check them out!
And now for this week's question:
Define what characteristics your favorite books share. Do they all have a kick butt heroine or is the hot love interest the Alpha Male?
Hmm, good question! I think that I definitely prefer books that have strong main characters. I really dislike whiny, spineless female leads. I don't mind if she has, say, psychological issues which make her a "broken" person, but I definitely look at how she handles it. Does she do her best to overcome her issues? Or does she just mope around about it? What makes a "kick butt" heroine to me is one who fights whatever adversities she is faced with, whether it is physical or mental. This is definitely a common factor in all my favorite books. A hot love interest as the lead male helps...and is probably present in at least 75% of my favorite books (maybe more), but is not an absolute must. It's definitely a bonus though...who doesn't want at least a little bit of romance? Another common factor is there has to be a lot of action. I don't like wordy descriptions...just give me the action, please!
Now it's your turn! Tell me about the common characteristics in your favorite books! And let me know if you are a new follower so I can follow you back!! Thanks for stopping by!
I agree. I do not like whiny, spineless girls.
ReplyDeletenew follower.
heres mine
http://jennreneeread.blogspot.com/2012/02/follow-friday-2.html
I love books when there is a lot of character development with the characters...I want to know why they act the way they do
ReplyDeleteBrilliant answer. I read a book with a heroine who's had many problems and first came across as "weak-minded" but actually was one of the strongest characters I've read about so far.
ReplyDeleteI think it doesn't even have to be strong.. There's a difference between weak and swallowing in selfpity. I don't think weak people necessarily complain and whine the whole time, and as long as a less strong character is not annoying, I'll probably like him or her anyway. : )
Happy Friday!
Patricia
Great answer! I also love a good independent female character. The whiny ones are really annoying! New follower, hopping through :) Check out my FF:
ReplyDeleteCrystal @ Elegantly Bound Books
I love a strong heroine who can stand up for herself, but I love alpha males too!
ReplyDeleteMy FF
Ning @ Reading by Kindle Fire
I like how you described the kick ass heroine. Spineless heroines without the strenght to fight back makes me want to gag. And its always a bonus when there's a little eye candy =)
ReplyDeleteNew Follower
Kristan @ Lost Amongst the Shelves
My FF
Fever Giveaway
Nice answer! I agree with you on the main characters and what makes them 'kick-ass.' In the real world, whiny never gets anywhere. And a little lover interest is always nice ^_~
ReplyDeleteHere's my answer:
http://sinnfulbooks.blogspot.com/2012/02/follow-friday.html
New follow ^_^
sinn @ sinnful books
New follower! Great answer. Exactly what I was thinking. I don't mind a character who is "broken", but it is how that character handles it that makes the story. Sitting around moping won't fix it and I don't want my "fun reading time" taken over by something that isn't what I want to read.
ReplyDeleteMy reading spans a great deal of diversity, from classic to history to romance to sci fi and some books defy placement in any category. I think the important thing is an interesting plot and interesting characters, not the same old same old. A hero or heroine can be "weak", as long as they over come their weakness. They're human, after all.
ReplyDeleteMake me feel, make me care, and make me want to know what happens next.
Good blog! New follower, hopping through. Come on over to my blog - Full Moon Dreaming!
Yes! Female leads have to be strong or I end up getting annoyed with them and putting the book down. I love your blog title! New follower saying hi.
ReplyDeleteHere's mine: My FF
I hate female characters who are whinny and annoying. Strong ones are great to read about! Hope you have a great Friday :)
ReplyDeleteHere's my FF!
thanks for stopping by today! Happy Friday.
ReplyDeletejfeldt @ p&p
I will admit that I like a bit of romance in my books too! What I love about UF is that the romance is not the central focus, just something that happens gradually. I definitely enjoy that better than just a straight out romance book where the romance is everywhere.
ReplyDeleteHere's my Friday Hops
Have a GREAT weekend!
Old Follower :)
New follower!
ReplyDeleteI agree, I also like strong characters.
Thanx for stopping by! Following back! :)
ReplyDeleteI love your answer. Very well said. And I agree. :) Thanks for stopping by my blog and for the follow. I'm returning the follow and wishing you a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh I most def.. agree.. whiny is Bad.. and not in a good way!! you are right having issues and dealing with it is really cool, we all have issues and it helps us relate. Maybe not the actual issue but the fact that he/she is dealing with it but whiny.. can someone just shoot me now and put me out of my misery BEFORE I read any whiny character books?
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Shauni
Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy FF and Tea and Book FF
Booketta saying Hi and thanks for the follow.
ReplyDeletehttp://booketta.blogspot.com
Definitely agree a book just needs a strong character and also needs a hot love interest ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by following back :)
Definitely don't like whiny characters, I don't mind a bit of 'weakness' but they have to deal with it in the right way, not just moan about things.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. :D
Followed you back! <3 Great we share the love for dystopian books. ;D
ReplyDeleteI agree about whiny, spineless (excellent word for that) main heroines (especially heroines). I have to admit some of them made me put down the book... and never come back to it again.
New Follower. Thanks for stopping by our blog.
ReplyDeleteI definitely love books that have kick-ass heroines. My books don't have similar characteristics. I pretty much read anything. Although, some book stand out more than others.
New follower.
ReplyDeleteStrong heroines really make or break the book.
Here's my Follow Friday.
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Agreed, agreed. I hate those girls who are like that (in real life and in books). I mean everyone has a breaking point and will cry it out but when she just sits there and waits for the man to fix it or save her is just not worth my time. By the way, cute blog! Following back!
ReplyDeleteHi Kary, following you back! ;)
ReplyDeleteI really like how you described your 'perfect' heroine! I share the sentiment!
And I am impressed by your little bio, having 3 kids, going to college, and wanting to become a children's librarian and STILL managing to read as much as you do!
Happy reading! :)
Heey
ReplyDeleteI'm following back! Some characters are just so weak they're slap-worthy! Hope you have a great weekend,
Juli @ Universe in Words
I totally agree with you. As long as the character can overcome the adversities and doesn't whine in the process (well, at least not too much, since we all know that teenage girls are great at whining), I'm happy. ;)
ReplyDeleteAndrea (Old Follower, just stopping by!)
I'm quite moody on the wordy front: sometimes I prefer description but other times I'd prefer something to just happen and break the never ending text. It also depends on the book- I don't expect long batches of information from YA in general.
ReplyDeleteThe MC is so important because they have to carry the book on their shoulders and they are one of the foundations of a good book.
I completely agree. I can't stand spineless lead characters (male or female) and too much wordy description stops a book dead.
ReplyDeleteNew follower!