On Monday I mentioned reading an article that talked about words, phrases or even genres of books that make us say, “Shut up and take my money!” You know, the ones that we’ll read no matter what because of the description, the premise, the main character, the author.
It’s why I’ve read all 21 books in the Stephanie Plum series even though they haven’t been good for a long time, and it’s why, for a time, I read every single dystopian or post-apocalyptic young adult novel I could find.
{And why I have watched a straight-to-video, basically-a-Hallmark movie on Netflix not once but twice now. Because it has ALL THE THINGS I LOVE: childhood friends getting involved romantically after pretending to be engaged. All. The. Things.}
Anyway. Back to the books. For you it might be a time period (Regency for me), a geographical setting (expats in Paris, please!), a character’s occupation (bakers, bookstore owners and party planners are always welcome here), or a type of relationship (high school sweethearts reunited? count me in!). It’s your “You had me at hello,” but instead of “hello” it’s whatever makes you stop and refuse to spend one more minute reading a description because you MUST HAVE IT NOW.
Since I read that post I’ve thought a lot about it. I wondered, what are MY triggers? (And on a scale of 1 to ridiculous, how good – or not – are they?) And since we talk about books a lot around here, of course I want to know what makes YOU say, “Shut up and take my money,” too!
Here’s what I want to read, every time:
- Time travel (or, occasionally, alternate universes)
- “Quirky” small town
- Fairy tale retelling or reimagining (or twisted fairy tale)
- Teen spies
- Mistaken or hidden identity (bonus points for secret pen pal situations like You’ve Got Mail or Dear Mr. Knightley)
- Heists and cons
- Political intrigue or thrillers or, best of all, conspiracy
- Secret powers or talents revealed
- Big families with close-knit siblings (e.g., the O’Malleys in Dee Henderson books)
- Romance with a famous person (or, for the nerds or outcasts, a really popular person) (Don’t judge me.)
Okay, I could say so much more on this topic! For example, what are the movies and TV shows that trigger my I MUST HAVE YOU NOW response? And, oh, what stories do the opposite and trigger my NOPE, NO WAY, NO HOW response? (Creepy kids, beloved pets dying, parents losing children – you know, those things.)
And we HAVE GOT TO talk about how zombies are my least favorite monster despite their incomprehensible popularity, but I’m as intrigued by fairies as my seven-year-old daughter. Why do you people like zombies so much? And am I alone on the fairies?
But first, tell me…
1) I would take a zillion fairies over a zombie any day
2) gimme all the time travel books and movies (hello Kate & Leopold! The Lake House! A Wrinkle in Time!)
3) Please do another post like this but with TV. And then another one about movies. So fun!!
1) Me too! Even the bad fairies are pretty. NO zombies are pretty. And sure, feeding off human emotions is dangerous – but better than brains! ;)
2) YESSSSSS
3) Well, since you asked…! ;)
I’m with you on the zombies, not something I want to watch. Give me sci-fi of the time travel, space travel kind and any chick flick going. There are other genres I like but this would be an essay if I listed more. Books are not of so much interest to me, but if I find one I like then shut up and let me give you the money
I might do TV shows and movies, too – so then you can tell us all about the genres or topics that get you every time there!
and now I need to know what the movie is you’re referring to so I can watch in on Netflix tonight!! :)
(Disclaimer: I have not read this yet, but I saw the zombie comment and decided to comment on that. So I may comment again later on other things. :) )
I read in our local paper a couple years ago that when zombies are popular in a culture, it’s a sign the culture is unhappy. I found that interesting.
Interesting. Also sad to know that zombies have been popular more than once!
Oooo I bet I figured it out – is it One Small Hitch?
I’m a ninja when it comes to cheesy romantic comedies…
watching now…
Haha! You guessed it! Just remember: I’m not saying it’s GOOD. I’m just saying I enjoyed it. #twoverydifferentthings
Ohh! Give me a funny memoir every day of the week and twice on Sunday. The events don’t have to be funny, but if the retelling has a sense of humor? I’m soooo there.
Oh yes, me too! I need to just shell out the dough for Amy Poehler’s book. I’ve been waiting forever to get it from the library.
Mary, this post cracked me up! I’m a sucker for a funny memoir, and a novel with a quirky female protagonist. Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani is my go-to re-read.
Me too – on both counts! I loved Big Stone Gap and need to read more of Trigiani’s books. (I recently read a YA novel by her and didn’t love it, so obviously I need to cleanse my reading palate with one of her adult books that I know I’ll love!)
Hi Mary,
Loved this post, and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that movie! Actually, there are several like it, and I can watch them over and over again. I find certain movies can be like, ok once around the block and I’m good, then there are others I’ll watch umpteen times (You’ve Got Mail being one of them of course!). As far as shut up and take my money, I’ve shelled out a small fortune on Beth Moore studies. I also love books on writing, and Christian fiction suspense novels with a twist. A post on TV shows would be fun. I’d rather write than watch TV, but a girl needs a break every now and then, right? lol
Yes, we all need a break sometimes! And OH YEAH, You’ve Got Mail is on my always-watch-again list, too! :)
Family dynamics- good ones, bad ones, unrealistic ones.
Hidden identity, me too.
Our of your element, The Kansas-in-NYC effect.
Cooking related, like Julie and Julia.
Oooh, out of your element – that’s a good one, too!