The UK is caught in the grip of reality TV these days. In particular, the X-Factor: a show like American Idol, but with old(er) deluded people as well as young. Being a reality TV junkie, of course I'm loving the caterwauling and lapping up the tears.But, amongst the screeching and nasally tones, there are some singers who just have it. They shine onstage and they 'can sing the phone book', to quote Simon's favourite line. They just sparkle.
I've been doing a lot of reading these days, and I've come to the conclusion the x factor can be applied to books, as well. There are some books I've read where I'm gripped straight away, lured into the narrative and soaring through the plot. They have that elusive quality that makes them shine.
What kind of book has the x factor for you? Beautiful writing, unique voice... or can you put your finger on it?
PS - BIG CONGRATS to Jessica Bell, who just announced her novel is going to be published! Woo! Head over to say congrats, if you have a sec!
It can be any genre of book, but for me, the X factor comes in when I no longer see the author's hand behind the writing. The story just somehow reaches me effortlessly, as though I'm a part of it.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Joanne - great answer! Totally agree.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to agree with you, Joanne.
ReplyDeleteVoice is what does it for me. I think that's basically what Joanne said.
ReplyDeleteDescription when it's beautifully done can sweep me away. I love Laurie R. King's work just for this one factor.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the shout out! :o) My x-factor books are as follows: The Robber Bride, The handmaid's tale (both by Margaret Atwood), Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee by Rebecca Miller, The White Masai by Corrine Hofmann. They are all dif genre's too. And I cannot put my finger on it. But I can say, there was something unique about each and every one of them! Have you read any of these?
ReplyDeleteI love a book I can just slip into. A comfy pair of sneakers type of read. No hard work on my part, just pure pleasure.
ReplyDelete:)
I don't think the X Factor can be described. You just know it when you see it.
ReplyDeleteVoice. There are just those moments where you are sucked in and every time it's been by a character, someone who sweeps me off my feet for a thrill ride until all is said and done.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Talli!
A unique voice equals x-factor for me. And creative descriptions, too.
ReplyDeleteI think singers are similar to writers, I think it is all about connection with your audience.
ReplyDeletePeople who are truly good at what they do make it seem so effortless and you just can't pause till you've finished reading their book or listening to their song, it's a gift, I personally think.
The characters. I have to root for them, believe in them, care about them.
ReplyDeleteA story that grabs my attention immediately and makes me forget about everything else has the X factor. I was that way with The Hunger Games trilogy. I'd always get so irritated when I had to put it away to do other stuff.
ReplyDeleteWhen I really believe the characters and the world they are in exists and the writing is effortless, then that book has got the x-factor for me.
ReplyDeleteMust agree. It has to have the it. Books can be good, or great even but when they have the IT on top of it they are just mind-blowing. I really hope mine have a certain degree of "it".
ReplyDeleteVoice for me. I like to be drawn into the story . Pretty much what Joanne said. :)
ReplyDeleteJess - I loved the Handmaid's Tale. What a fantastic novel.
ReplyDeleteI think for me, a lot of it comes down to voice and writing style. I'm loving hearing about your x factors!
For me the ex-factor is the beginning--I want to be sucked in right away. I've lost patience with waiting for the story to kick in, probably because the TBR pile is so darn high these days!
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of book?? Oooh one that whisks me away from my reality into someone else's!
ReplyDelete:-) Take care
x
In my mytery book, I want the powerful voice of Mary, the lead character of Matt, the oddness of Wagner, the suspense of Aiden, the fun of One Direction, the modernness of Cher and I want my victim to be Katie already!
ReplyDeleteI think Joanne nailed what makes an X factor book for me. It's one whose voice and story catches me up and takes me to a new world or gives me a new take on a world I thought was familiar and I don't notice how the author has done it. Increasingly hard to find books like that since I started writing but they are out there!
ReplyDeleteThe X-Factor for me is voice. If I feel like I can hear the character talking in my head the moment I begin reading, I'm hooked. And I will usually stay hooked for the rest of the book.
ReplyDeleteWhen I start reading, and I forget to notice 'how' the author writes, because I'm so absorbed in the story - that's my x factor. I hope I said that right. I've never actually watched x factor and I'm not familiar with the term. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe X-Factor for me would probably be the world that the story takes place in.
ReplyDeleteI think having a great cover helps! Just kidding!
ReplyDeleteWhen I get swept away by a story is when I know that X-factor is present.
I agree with Candace. You just know it when you see it, er, read it.
ReplyDelete:)
Although he's not my favourite writer, Nicholas Sparks definately has the X Factor for me, he just knows how to do, and I'm hooked from the first sentence.
ReplyDeleteHi Talli .. the book takes my fancy at that moment and engrosses me in the reading thereof ..
ReplyDeleteI read such a mix of books & not many novels .. so looking forward to yours ..
This band of bloggers has the X-factor .. it's authentic too ..
Enjoy the week .. Hilary
Congrats to your friend Jessica..
ReplyDeleteand the x factor to me is when a writer makes you feel lost in the lives of the Characters.. Characters create the Story
What qualifies as an X Factor to me? When readers get lost in the world of the characters and when the characters are so well-developed and distinct that the readers begin to care about them very much (just as they would of real people) as the plot unfolds and the characters must face obstacles.
ReplyDelete~TRA
http://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
The X factor is beautiful, descriptive writing for me. I love when setting as quiet as the wind sails you into the waves of a story.
ReplyDeleteI think Sandra Dallas has the x factor. And Nancy Pickard, especially for "The Scent of Rain and Lightning".
ReplyDeleteI could fall in love with a book easily because of an author's writing style, despite what the plot is about. However, I consider an "x" factor book to be one that has an inspiring message - a story that brings you chills, and possibly tears. One where the character becomes a new person by the end of the book. These stories are usually the kinds that really grab readers attention - which is probably why Nicolas Sparks, Francine Rivers, and Karen Kingsbury books' are so popular.
ReplyDeleteIt has to be real, though. Stories that are made only for the sake of trying to "change/move the reader" are not genuine, but annoying.
Hey Talli!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to think for longer about what books I think have the X-Factor but I was considering something about this issue of reality talent shows the other day. In India they've had a reality musical talent tv show for a very long time, probably ten years, called SA RE GA MA (after the indian classical musical scale) and the difference between this show and the western shows is this: In the Indian shows almost of the contestants are outstanding. They all are true talents. But in the western shows they seem to purposely choose people who are rubbish just to add drama when they should be focusing on the music and art.
It's a shame really because I bet there are many more true talents in the west that don't get a chance because they're not dramatic enough.
Jai
The "x-factor" for me is when a book takes off right away. I admit I am one of those types of readers. I think that's why I like YA so much recently. :)
ReplyDeleteI know that a book has the 'x-factor' when I read it on the subway or the bus. If I don't mind the (unfortunate) nausea that comes with reading on a moving vehicule, it means I'm hooked.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's having characters I care about and questions that I need to have answered.
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to talk about X-Factor with the right guy. She said it can't be forced or explained - when it's right, it's right. You just know. I think the same can be said about the books/movies/shows I love. It's a combination of many little things that make it wonderful.
ReplyDeleteQuirky, realisitic characters...well, they need to be a little over the top. And the author needs to hide, I just read a book where the author totally ruined the moment, by rearing her head. It pulled me right out of the moment. So I agree with Joanne.
ReplyDeletehello, I like your blog very much and I wonder if you might be interested in a link exchange with www.poktube.com. If yes, name: Movie Trailers, then leave me a comment with the link and your name . A nice day !
ReplyDeleteWhen I read a book where time disappears and I am not aware of myself, that's a book with X-factor.
ReplyDeleteI love a book with great voice, one that just pulls me in and doesn't let go until the end.
ReplyDeleteFor me, that x factor in a book is a unique voice, and characters I can care about. If I can't care about the characters, it doesn't matter how well written the book is, I just can't get into it.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I have something for you over at my blog today. :)
I think it is like lust... it can be different things but SOMETHING makes you lose control a little. The books that I've recently fallen so deeply in are The Hunger Games and The Book Thief--both have somewhat jarring voices (when I would have thought voice had to be spot on) but were unique and compelling (in totally different ways)--sometimes it is straight adrenaline (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)
ReplyDeleteI think, like with lust... I am looking for something that touches my core that makes me feel like I'm the only one who might see it (even if that is a total illusion)
Excellent question! The X factor for me is a unique story line with just a touch of humor.
ReplyDeleteMan, I miss the X Factor. My favorite was when Alexandra Burke won.
ReplyDeleteI love the analogy for books, too! It works well. There are definitely some books that just stand out, but it's a mixture of things I think. Usually, those books have a really strong voice, well developed characters with a plot that sings.
Congrats to Jess!
ReplyDeleteAn X-factor book for me is one that I can completely immerse myself in. With fantasy, this is often done with excellent world building and naturally integrated characters. Pratchett's Discworld series is a good example.
I only watch the initial auditions for X-factor. Once all the cruddy singers have stopped embarrassing themselves I switch off :p