Mysteries!

I'm extremely picky when it comes to books, and it's sometimes just a hit or miss.

I don't really care about the pitch or the synopsis or a book. 

I like books that are kinda quirky, with a unique twist, in format style, plot, or writing. I don't like books that make fun of people, or ones that are just plain stupid. I like it if they're descriptive, but if that description leads somewhere. That' why I'm not a fan on classics, they go on and on about details and have very little action. I also like it when there's a morale and a deep meaning (with the characters or otherwise), but with a central plot that's not all over the place.

I don't care much about characters, but I like their names to be different and not much confusion. Love interest is okay, if it's the real stuff.

In short, analysis the tale of Despeeaux and see what you get there. 

Btw, hi Merenwe! 

Well-written female characters.

That sounds awesome! Defenetly have a little romance, have suspense, action, i love the journey idea! You've got a good topic, maybe you can post parts of the story?

I only like books that follow the rules of the world. So if nobody in the book I am reading can fly, and then someone starts flying, I feel very mad, and never read the book again.

I like strong female characters and a good mystery that surprises you sometimes. Also I like a good beginning. I feel if it has a slow start I won't want to keep reading it. Plenty of good action is essential as well.

Thank you all so much for your replies!  

There will definitely be at least a touch of mystery Micearenice.  Humor is a tool I will be using, Curio.  A definite plot that doesn't float about is key indeed Novelist, (Hi!  :3), I take it you like worldbuilding?  And there should be a good moral drive behind my plot I hope, what I have planned  right now will.  Ah yes, names are a big deal, I like my characters names to have meanings behind them, so you can count on those being unique and not terribly similar to each other.  There should be plenty of action involved, Elmodaisy, for at least the first part that I have a slight sketch of the main protagonist will be fleeing for their life.  Elliot, don't worry, I will do my best to keep contradictory instances from happening in my world, that's one of my pet peeves with books as well.

I noticed a few of you would like to see a strong female character (Bluebird, Curio, and Parker), which I also enjoy, but I was curious as to why you would like to see a strong (do you imply main by this as well?) female character, what's the appeal?  Would you be adverse to a strong female antagonist?

MERENWE!! I mised seeing you around here! (Should I go yell at Cron?) Esthelle's going to be so happy when she sees this on Saturday!

Okay, what gets me hooked is:

A good, interesting cover. If the cover looks good, I check out the description.

If I like the description, I read the book. I like an exciting beginning. Not SUPER exciting, just something which makes me want to turn the page. I'm not doing a good job of describing this, am I? Oh well. 

animals and fantasy!!!

What I think is very important about a book is the beginning. It can make or break a good story. Even if the rest of the book is outstanding, the beginning has often make it suffer in my eyes. I dislike stories that begin too slowly, as if giving you a tour of a house you are about to buy—Tiny details and careful descriptions. It just bores me, and personally, I don't usually have that kind of patience. I also am not fond of books that begin to fast. For example, The Alchemyst by Michael Scott. Though it is quite good with an interesting idea, the first book in the series I disliked. It began like: These are the character's names. MUAHAHA NOW EVERYTHING'S BLOWING UP AND YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON!  

Anyway, it's a delicate balance. And I enjoy /some/ love interest in stories as long as it's not the main focus and not overdone.

Oh, and hi, Mere! Haven't seen you in a while. 

Ha!  I do the same thing, Cho!  I try not to, though because I don't want to miss out on books that may not have as interesting of a cover as others but may have a great plot.  You did a pretty good job!  I have a hard time describing that element in a book too.  Thank you for the input.

I love almost any YA Sci-Fi book I pick up. Although, there are a few things that keep me reading a book. One of the biggest is the characters. I hate fake characters or your "typical crew" of heroes. Such as one is a brainiac, one is the funny kid, and one is the leader, kind of thing. That gets real annoying if all the books are like that.

Secondly, I love a good adventure. Yes, I know many YA books now days have the same theme of teen kids going to save the world (in YA sci-fi, anyways). But this does not bug me much because the authors give each book such a different adventure. I am grabbed by the horrible deaths, friendships, trust, enemies, and scenes portrayed throughout a book.

Next, there needs to be a reason for the book to exist. Basically, I need a good plot. The beginning cannot be boring. My rule is: read to chapter 2 or 3. If by then I have no idea what is going on, or it is just boring, then I will not read the book. If the middle is not good, I will quite. And if the end is not good, I will complain for months on end. Yeah, I know, I am a picky reader.

Don't forget a reasonable amount of plot twists, but not too much that I can't keep up. And the last four things are key as well: amazing first sentence, rememberable last sentence, a good amount of great sounding dialogue, and detail. Detail. Detail. But not so much that I am losing my head.

Sorry for the rant, but I am a huge book fanatic, and these are some of the key things I look for in a book or series. Although, believe me, I am not as picky as I sound with books. I usually read any new YA sci-fi or fantasy series that I see on the bookshelf or hear about.