I’ll be so grateful for your help if you’ll answer! I’d really like to understand what readers pay attention to and what’s useful to them. I promise, this won’t take long at all. If you will, please just number your answers and respond in the comment section below (as opposed to emailing me). This is so I have all responses in one place and can share them with my publisher.
#1. Do you read/use/care about having “Discussion Questions” (also sometimes called a “Reader’s Guide”) at the end of a novel? If you’re in a book club, does your club consult the suggested questions? And, a corollary: if the questions aren’t in the printed copy (or ebook or audible version), do you go to the author’s website to look for them if the text says they can be found there?
#2. When choosing a book to read, are you influenced by a blurb (quote praising the book) from a famous author or a “logline” on the front cover? (A logline is sort of a very brief teaser–one sentence– about the contents. Corollary: would you rather see a blurb or a logline or neither one (let the cover speak for itself)?
So, I asked you to give me input on two questions, so I know a 3rd isn’t fair. There’s a bonus to this one, though:
#3. IF a logline is used on the cover of my next novel (The Corners of the Sky, coming 10/14/26) which of these, if either, would interest you more:
-
- Do women hold up half the sky—or maybe more?
- How does addiction start—and how will it end?
(It’s fine to say it if you hate them both!)
If you take the time to answer these in the comment section and also do the third question, I’ll add your name to a drawing, and two winners may pick a novel from any of my backlist that I have copies of, and I’ll send a signed (and inscribed if you wish) copy to you or any gift recipient you designate.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Your answers will be very influential. I’m really grateful.
1. I enjoy reading discussion questions, just to see what’s important to the author (or whoever writes them).
2. I ignore blurbs, though they might help some readers if they recognize the blurbing author’s name and know their work.
3. I like “Do women hold up half the sky?” And would leave it at that. If the second clause is important, I humbly suggest cutting “maybe.”
Oh, that’s helpful! Good idea. Thank you!!
1. As a compulsive reader I often will peek at the Reader’s Guide Questions, but try not to really read them since they can spoil the read ahead. They seem to me like extended “blurbs”, not really so much to help reading and discussing, but to get someone to buy into the book, or rather, to buy the book. In general I find the questions dull and if ever going back to them AFTER reading a book they seem even more dull and often utterly beside the point of my reading. I am in a couple of Book Groups and we diligently AVOID the questions at the back of novels. On occasion someone will have cheated and comes with a question from the RG which provides a laugh in contrast to questions or comments that arise from our various readings. More interesting is a background note from an author about writing a book, but those seem to me much under suspicion when stuck in the back of a novel, again like an extended blurb, to entice a buy. A good novel doesn’t need that. A good Book Club doesn’t need that either. Much better are any comments and musings on an author’s blog, like yours, Lynne. I wish book publishers would leave readers to the winds of writers and their stories, like the spirit blowing where it will. I pick up a novel to read not to be guided in some anxious group read, but to be blown away.
2. I am NEVER moved by a “logline”, and didn’t know that nomenclature — i like it tho’, for seems accurate as thick and dull and something intended to strike you over the head and knock you senseless….and then buy the book. Ugh! A title is what is interesting, since in, i figure hopefully, the author’s hands, a bit of the tale itself.
As to a blurb, i do glance, but quickly laugh and discard for the most part. I’ve read enough to recognize the patterns of blurbs, both their language and the folks who gladly pile on. I wonder why “famous authors” are writing these blurbs instead of something for actual reading. I don’t necessarily thing that “famous authors” are good critics to recommend other writing — or even often their own. I know blurbs are inevitable, but they are not trustworthy — more comical than anything else. Also, of course, I more often put a book back because of a blurb than take one to the cash register because of a blurb. Blurbs are more often the kiss of death to what might have been a fanciful novel, but turned down because of the blooming blurb, tarnished like the witch’s apple in Snow White, wrinkled and shrivelled within.
3. I’d of course much prefer no logline on The Corners of the Sky. The first one is derivative obviously, and thus at least has a connection to the title, tho’ the “maybe” is horrible and merely coy. The second is abominable and irrelevant to the title, and thus merely confusing at best. Ugh all around! Please just let us read what the writer writes.
Ah! There’s a response from a reader’s gut, right? Let the cover and the writing speak for itself. I hear you and am grateful, as always for your direct and honest feedback! Thank you!
1. I think this is good for book clubs but I do not personally need it
2. I like both – I am definitely influenced by a well known authors opinion.
3. I like the women comment – how addiction starts is a bit of a minefield in my opinion.
Thank you so much! That’s helpful!!
These are interesting questions and I have am learning so much!
I do read/like the discussion questions but spend very little time on them and don’t notice when a book doesn’t have them.
I am influenced by a famous author if it is one I like, more because it kind of “groups” the book with the ones I have liked from that author. I also think I read loglines, but I am more influenced by the blurb either on the back or inside that actually describes the book. I rely mostly on those.
And as far as those loglines I don’t love either, if I’m being honest. The first seems like an obvious truism to me that makes me think the book would be less interesting than I know your book will be and the second makes me think the book would be too sad/hopeless, which I also know your books are not!
Oh, thank you! That’s really helpful feedback–someone else also mentioned a blurb that includes some content information as what’s most helpful. And I don’t think we’d really considered the tone of the logline as much as the content teaser, so that’s a really good thought! Thank you again!
1. I don’t usually pay attention to the RG, though some people in my
Book group will touch on them. Actually, I resist them. Feels too much like an essay question in school.
2. Neither has much clout with me. I almost always read books that are recommended to me. I can’t even remember when I’ve randomly picked up a book & decided, then & there, to read it based on a logline or blurb. Book Bub has ruined the value of blurbs. Every book featured is endorsed by a “bestselling author.”
3. I’d be attracted by the addiction one. Maybe I’d quit drinking, smoking, using cocaine, eating pastries. (Just kidding!) Well, maybe not the last one.
Question #1
My Book Club will often use the “Readers’ Guide Questions” to stimulate discussion. When I am reading a book on my own, I rarely use the quiet questions, but I often go to the author’s website to seek out other information.
Question #2
When choosing a book, I look at the log line as well as the quotes from other authors.
Question #3 I like the first log line- Do women hold up half the sky or maybe more?
Thank you! This is really useful info! Do you go to the author’s website to find discussion questions if the text tells you they’re there?
I usually go to the author’s website to find out more about them; what motivated them to write the book, where they grew up, the people who influenced them. I always read the section “About the Author” and look on the back cover to see their photo, where they live, etc. I guess I am just curious.
This is so good to know! A ton of work goes into the website…
1) I rarely look at discussion questions.
2) Logline. ahh if only an accommodating famous author would refer to content = best of both worlds.
3) “How does addiction start…”
Oh! your comment on blurbs containing a reference to the content is definitely on my wishlist too!! (maybe the ideal is not to decide about a logline until editor sees all the blurbs once they come in…)
And thank you for responding!
1. Yes, I like the discussion questions. It helps focus discussion. It also helps me gain insight into the authors thinking a little.
2. No, I don’t pay much attention to ‘loglines’.
3. I love the Women hold up half the sky but think the addiction one would pull in attention from more people.
Thank you so much! Really helpful! I’m wondering if you would you go to the author’s website to find the discussion questions or do they need to be in the text?
1. Yes, I do look at the discussion questions, I find them very useful in case I missed something.
2. I like reading the blurbs and I do like the longlines also.
3. I like: How does addiction start—and how will it end?
Thank you very much! Your answers help!
1. I like discussion questions. I would use them in a book club. I migh go to the website to get them if I was leading the discussion, but otherwise probably not.
2 In choosing a book Blurbs are helpful. I also like having a brief description of the story on the back.
3 I like “Do women hold up half the sky—” I agree with the person who said stop there. The visual is enticing, and anything more dilutes it.
Oh, thank you so much! That’s really good to know. Yes, there’ll be a book description on the back, for sure.I think people generally read that. I’m never sure if book clubs tend to choose books that offer the discussion guide or not, so helpful to have this input!
1. I rarely look at the discussion questions
2. I prefer a log line but always read the blurbs too. A logline would convince me to buy a book more than a blurb
3. I prefer the log line about women holding up the sky and agree with the earlier comment about taking out the word ‘maybe’
Thank you so much for your feedback! It’s always really useful and I have to admit, I’m surprised by what readers are saying about the loglines!
We use the book discussion for our book club. However, our book club is kinda lame. Half don’t even read the book. I never pay attention to author reviews because I don’t know how genuine they are. I like log lines because they can pull you in. I’m an easy sell
Helpful info! Thank you so much!
1. Discussion questions can be useful if they invite the reader to think more deeply about the characters or the situations in the book. I am not at all interested in considering questions that ask the reader to share personal experiences rather than examining the text.
2. I can be seduced by blurbs from authors whose work I know and respect. I’d be interested to learn how the people who write blurbs are chosen, and how many requests are sent vs. how many make it onto the back cover.
That’s a good take on discussion questions–I ‘ve noticed a lot of “book club fiction” authors moving in the direction of asking exactly the sort of question you’re mentioning. I think this is because so many book clubs, especially the long-standing ones of close-knit women tend to end up as social support group loosely structured around shared reading experiences. Sometimes the novels and those kinds of questions both are jumping off points for members who want to share stories about themselves and their experiences. This is a lot different, as I think you’re pointing out, than reading, analyzing, and discussing literature for its own sake. It would probably help groups with choosing books (and people choosing books to join) if potential groups defined their primary purpose! Thank you so much for bringing up that point–it’s helpful to consider! And thank you for the perspective on blurbs. For my part, I only ask authors whose work specifically resonates with something about the novel I’m asking them to read/blurb. (The publishers I’ve been with have always made it the author’s responsibility to seek blurbs for their work. I believe this is standard.) I’ve never received a blurb that wasn’t used in the final book. I don’t recall having any author refuse to read or blurb–but as I said, I’m extremely careful about who I ask, and I always explain why I think the work will resonate with them when I ask.
Thanks so much for responding–I’m really grateful.
1. I do not look at discussion questions because I prefer sitting with my own reactions, musings, and interpretations after reading a book.
2. A logline may influence me if it is by a person I respect or admire but they don’t direct me to reading a book. Honestly, I don’t trust blurbs. I prefer reading very good (subjective, right?) book reviews.
3. The logline re women is a draw to me – except during the times when I want to understand all I can about addiction.
Thank you for this helpful feedback! You’re not the first person to mention not really trusting laudatory blurbs! That’s good to know.
#1. Do you read/use/care about having “Discussion Questions” (also sometimes called a “Reader’s Guide”) at the end of a novel? YES
#2. I choose books by their cover first, then the logline
#3. Do women hold up half the sky—or maybe more?
but I would like to see othe possibilities
Thank you so much for these responses! The cover is so important, isn’t it? And the author often has minimal input on it…It can be terribly frustrating to be stuck with a poorly designed cover. I’m interested that the logline does influence you. That’s good to know. Thank you!
My book club always want discussion questions. Have searched online if a book didn’t include any. And if that didn’t work, we made our own discussion questions.
I’m influenced only by an eye catching cover or by the author’s name itself. Blurbs don’t make a difference to me personally.
Do women hold up half the sky…..would catch my attention And agree with other commenter…just use that not the rest
Thank you for this input. It’s both interesting and helpful to know that you do look for discussion questions and will go to an author’s website to look for them, as well as that the cover and/or author’s name counts rather than blurbs. That’s good to know. Thanks again.
1. I read the Discussion Questions if they are there, but mainly because I read every page. I don’t belong to a book club and don’t use them for any other purpose, although they do sometimes make me think about something in the book in a different way.
2. The logline might catch my eye along with the cover, but it won’t affect my decision to purchase. A blurb almost has the opposite effect even if blurbs are written by my favorite authors. I prefer a more detailed description without spoilers of what to expect in the book.
3. Neither of the loglines particularly appeal to me, although the first one would make sense considering the title of the novel.
Thanks for the opportunity to provide input (even if my comments all sound rather negative).
I’m sure getting the sense that blurbs aren’t much of a factor…the book description is much more important (of course) and a logline isn’t a bad idea in general. I’m interested that you read every page of a book–you are a real reader, I think, and I love that. And it’s interesting that occasionally the discussion questions spark new or different thinking for you. I notice some people avoid reading them. Thank you again!
1. Discussion questions might be helpful for book clubs, but as a reader, I don’t read them. I rarely look at them and if I do, I feel like I’m in seventh grade English class with obvious questions.
2. Loglines are difficult for the author to distill, but I believe they are important. Like bait for a fish. Blurbs don’t really influence me to buy a book because many seem canned. I always read the first page or two of a book and that’s when I decide if I should buy the book.
3. Both are good loglines. I haven’t read your book obviously, but if it deals with addiction in a major way, I think there are A LOT of people out there who are dealing with a relative or a friend who is stuck in the cycle of addiction. They need this book. Can’t wait to read it.
That’s interesting about discussion questions–if they’re there, I agree it’s really important that they not be questions like “who was your favorite character and why?” that really are 7th grade test-like questions designed to demonstrate that “yes, I read the novel.” Again, it seems like if they’re used at all, generally it’s by groups and very rarely by people reading outside that context. And, yes, loglines are really difficult–coming up with one that doesn’t oversimplify or mislead, especially! Thank you so much for your input!
#1. Do you read/use/care about having “Discussion Questions” (also sometimes called a “Reader’s Guide”) at the end of a novel? If you’re in a book club, does your club consult the suggested questions?
Answer: My personal opinion is that “Discussion Questions” at the end of a novel add value under limited circumstances. When a story or character merits more or an in-depth context, (eg. a historical figure), then add “discussion questions”. Another use case is when it’s helpful to discuss a philosophical question or address a topic with nuance, then raise the topics in the form of discussion questions.
#2. When choosing a book to read, are you influenced by a blurb (quote praising the book) from a famous author or a “logline” on the front cover? (A logline is sort of a very brief teaser–one sentence– about the contents. Corollary: would you rather see a blurb or a logline or neither one (let the cover speak for itself)?
answer: I believe the book cover should speak for itself. A blurb or “logline” are useful for advertisements and marketing of the book (e.g. on the Amazon page for the book), but not on the actual book cover. Blurbs and “loglines” are ephemeral; having them “hard-coded” on a book cover may not stand up well a few years in the future, especially if/when the book is on a library shelf.
#3. IF a logline is used on the cover of my next novel (The Corners of the Sky, coming 10/14/26) which of these, if either, would interest you more:
Answer: Do women hold up half the sky—or maybe more?
Thank you so much for this helpful feedback! That’s a good take on discussion questions–and of course you’re right that both loglines and blurbs are marketing tools. And what you said about later on–what might influence a reader to choose a book from a library shelf–leads me to extrapolate that a logline would be useful IF it’s really well done and teases both content and meaning/tone? whereas blurbs from authors well-known at pub time might have lapsed into “who the hell is that?” status. Fame and great reviews –therefore blurbs–can be incredibly fleeting. Your points are well-made. Thank you for this input!
#1. Do you read/use/care about having “Discussion Questions” (also sometimes called a “Reader’s Guide”) at the end of a novel? If you’re in a book club, does your club consult the suggested questions? I personally don’t use them, although I think my past book club did. I think they can be helpful if you’re in a book club, to help guide the discussion.
#2. When choosing a book to read, are you influenced by a blurb (quote praising the book) from a famous author or a “logline” on the front cover? (A logline is sort of a very brief teaser–one sentence– about the contents. Corollary: would you rather see a blurb or a logline or neither one (let the cover speak for itself)? I’d rather see neither, and decide based on the cover, or a summary on the back or on the inside flap of the book cover. If it was either a logline or a blurb, I’d prefer the logline, because hopefully it would give an idea about the book.
#3. IF a logline is used on the cover of my next novel (The Corners of the Sky, coming 10/14/26) which of these, if either, would interest you more: I’m not wild about either (but I’m not wild about loglines), but I prefer the first one “Do women hold up half the sky- or maybe more”.
Thank you so much! This is really good input–helpful to know what a reader uses and doesn’t/likes and doesn’t like. I appreciate your response!
1. I like and sometimes use book club questions at the end of a novel. Not sure I would go to another source for them.
2. I do not pay much attention to blurbs. I tend to ignore them as advertising or PR.
3. I, too, am not very interested in log lines. I prefer the first example to the second.
Thank you so much! Every bit of input is really helpful!