What's Going on with the Books?

In the last few months it's been difficult to find books I enjoy completely. Books that I can't put down. My most dependable authors have let me down. It's not that their books are bad, but they aren't holding my attention.

I am a voracious reader. In my own way I am particular about what I read, but I'm not a book snob.

For those of you who don't know - book snobs only read literature or good non-fiction. They do not deign to read most genre fiction like romance or science fiction, although they may sometimes read mysteries.

I will read anything if it has an interesting story. My favorite genre is Science Fiction and Fantasy, particularly the sub-genres of urban, paranormal and alien contact. Romance, especially modern romantic comedy. Mystery, Biology, Biographies, Popular Culture. I don't limit myself to those, however. I will read anything, fiction or non-fiction that catches my attention.

What do I like in a story?

If it's fiction, I like strong characters, male and female. I like well developed secondary characters, not cardboard cut-outs created to move the action along. I like a sense of place, although I don't want the author to go on and on about it. I am not a fan of unresolved endings, although I will tolerate them in a series.

I also prefer happy endings. Nothing irritates me more than to read an entire book, and then have it end; "and so the entire town was wiped out by cholera, and it was all for nothing." So, why did I read it?
In my opinion, real life is sad enough; I don't need an unhappy ending when I'm reading for entertainment.

If it's non-fiction, I want to be interested, not preached at. I feel non-fiction should have a narrative, not just cold facts. There are exceptions to this, such as the Books of Lists, which I adore. However, the author is rarely going to captivate me or convince me with just facts. Show me the other side, too, so I can make up my own mind. Often I will read several books after I become interested in a subject; I find it gives a better idea of the whole.

I have certain requirements for any book I read. The writing needs to flow. A sense of humor - doesn't have to provoke audible laughter. I am not bothered by editing mistakes, but they are distracting. If it's badly written I won't read it, even if I love everything about a book, the characters, the idea, the setting.

Of course there are exceptions to everything, even bad writing.

Summer is coming fast, and I don't want to be in reading limbo!

Hopefully my problem with books is MY problem, and not the writers. Perhaps I need to read some classics for awhile, to clear my readers palate.