The Keepers Of Sulbreth
Susan Gourley

Comments

50 comments posted.

Re: The Keepers Of Sulbreth

All of the above.....on the other hand I have also fallen in love with a story and remember the characters and not the names...especially if they are not your everyday type of name or have unusual spelling.
(Ruby Davis 11:02pm January 11, 2010)

I have found many great books, based on the title alone. Character names are important; when the names don't fit, the story doesn't flow right.
(Tanja Haack 6:03pm January 13, 2010)

I admit to being challenged by difficult
or unusual names both while reading
and in every day life. My mind gets
around it by substituting its own
simpler version so I make do when
reading. But there's no way I'm going
to remember these names. But that's
true with most books for me, as I
remember emotions that were evolved
and the scenes better.
(Sue Ahn 1:40am January 15, 2010)

Absolutely have picked a book just by the title. Usually a one-word title gets me.
(Joanne Reynolds 7:15am January 15, 2010)

I have also bought a book just because I loved the title.
I always wondered how authors ever came up with some of the names for the characters in their stories.
Even if I forget a title I will remember a great characters name.
(Gigi Hicks 7:18am January 15, 2010)

I have read books where it appears the author is trying to come with creative names but I find the simply "everyday" names are just as effective.
(Sherry Russell 8:27am January 15, 2010)

I like the names to be easy to pronounce or I keep getting flumoxed trying to read it each time and lose track of the story as I am worrying that I am saying it right!
(Barbara Hanson 8:43am January 15, 2010)

Yes, to all three questions, I have read books just becouse the title interest me and I have not jet been disappointed. Names do matter and sometimes it does not match there characters.
(Cynthia Plaza-Harney 10:21am January 15, 2010)

I have absolutely picked up a book or gone to a website to find out more about a book with an intriguing title. Usually a title that is funny.

I can't say I've paid too much attention to characters' names. About the only characters' names that stand out to me are Lori Foster's. Her male characters tend to have staid, common names like Joe, Bryan, Sam. (Probably cause they're not paranormal/fantasy which I read a lot of and skews my view of names.)
(Anne Muller 10:32am January 15, 2010)

Oh yes, many books that I feel in love with were by accident, because the title caught my eye, also a lot of th etime the art work will also make me want to buy it.
(Kelly Marker 10:37am January 15, 2010)

A title can pull me in, but there has to be more to it than just that to "seal the deal". I have a very short memory when it comes to character names, even those I love! The only thing I have found annoying about character names is when they are difficult to pronounce.
(Diane Pollock 11:16am January 15, 2010)

Yes I have The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Holt, loved the name and the hero Harry Pye has always stayed with me.
(Gail Hurt 11:34am January 15, 2010)

Yes to all three questions... :) Sometimes a catchy or interesting title grabs my attention... a few names have stood out for me, that I have loved... and a few names have left me with a question mark over my head...
(Colleen Conklin 12:47pm January 15, 2010)

I love fantasies!! The cover of the book is amazing!!
(Freda Mans-Labianca 1:05pm January 15, 2010)

Looking forward to reading this book! Thanks for the contest!

[email protected]
(Katherine Reese 1:18pm January 15, 2010)

I have experienced all three examples. No matter what I am always surprised whether it is good or bad. It is great when what I have read stays with me and just a downer when it is bad.
(Leni Kaye 1:23pm January 15, 2010)

I've bought books because of the titles or the covers. When my daughter was pregnant, she had me make of list of names I liked. She picked the name Macey from that list.

My only complaint about names are mostly the unusual hard to figure out how to pronounce names in PN novels. I always end up cutting the names down to something I can read more quickly and remember easier.
(Mitzi Hinkey 1:27pm January 15, 2010)

Oh yes, I have bought many books where the Title pulled me to that book, then the cover, and after reading the back cover or 1st chapter I was hooked and reeled in. I prefer the names be pronouncable for me but if not I sub the name.
(Brenda Hill 1:38pm January 15, 2010)

Definitely, and I picked up
titles where the title or art
work also led me to put it
back on the shelf. But most of
my purchases are based of my
own knowledge and love of an
author's previous works(which
has sometimes come back to
bite me in the ass)or the
reviews of others both on
Amazon or on blogs. I am more
likely to try an unknown
author after checking out
their website and reading
others reviews of it. On the
few occasions where the
characters name doesn't fit
for me I simply rename him in
my mind until I finish the
book. I am also prone to
rename a character if his name
makes me stop and think, now
how was this pronounced again?
Any of you who have read the
Harry Potter series knows that
JK Rowling has to be the Queen
when it comes to assigning
characters their names. Thanks
for your insight on your book.
I often visit authors websites
before reading a new book or
series to see their insights
and thoughts on their books.
(Lisa Richards 2:10pm January 15, 2010)

Names that are too difficult to pronounce turn me off a little. It makes it harder for me to keep the characters straight. Titles will definitly draw me in.
(Sandy Miresse 2:12pm January 15, 2010)

A book's title can catch my attention, but I never buy just based on the title. I have to read the blurb on the back.

When I think about character names, I tend to like the simple names better than something unusual. I especially don't like it if I am not sure how to pronounce the name.
(Cheryl Castings 2:42pm January 15, 2010)

I look at the author, the title and then the info on back or on cover.
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 3:06pm January 15, 2010)

I like when the title and cover syncronize with what's inside the book. Character names help conjure up a mood where I throw a lot of weight on place historical setting. I enjoy imagining how the characters got their names and if they are suitable.
(Alyson Widen 3:34pm January 15, 2010)

Many times that is what attracts me to a book - the title. Even if it is an unknown author. I love puns as book titles.
(Vikki Parman 3:48pm January 15, 2010)

While I like distinctive names for characters, there comes a time when authors can really stretch the bounds of belief and are so carried away by their own cutesy/coy word plays that they actually detract from the reader's enjoyment of their work. On the other hand, there are authors who are very careful with their character naming and it really works well. (i.e.: Linnea Sinclair's Dock Five series). It helps when an author takes the time to explain why they chose those particular character names.
(Susan Driskill 4:00pm January 15, 2010)

Yes to all of the above :).
(Robin McKay 4:12pm January 15, 2010)

The title of the book has to incite curiosity. The names of the characters have to be unique in order to be memorable.
(Kai Wong 4:35pm January 15, 2010)

All of the above. I have also loved a book book but could not remember the characters names because the names were in another or unusual and therefore hard to remember for someone like me who has a bad memory.
(Cherie Japp 5:08pm January 15, 2010)

I, too, agree with Susan Driskill. I like it when names are used in a meaningful, but subdued way. BTW, "Aragon" really is named after that area in Spain in a roundabout way. After all, her father was king of Aragon and that's how she got her name.
(Sigrun Schulz 5:36pm January 15, 2010)

The Keepers of Sulbreth sounds really interesting. I love to read all different kinds of books.
Susan Dill
(Susan Dill 6:00pm January 15, 2010)

I ca answer yes to all of the questions. My problem in the past has been character names that I would NEVER be able to pronounce out loud. Trying to be too, too clever with names annoys me.
(Mary Preston 6:19pm January 15, 2010)

I have bought many books on just the title alone. I read all different kinds of books but mysteries are my favorite
(Teresa Ward 6:34pm January 15, 2010)

Usually the title is what grabs me. I then turn it over and read the back blurb. I love when the name fits the character and it really blows to have a character who's name is off. It drags the story and I usually give him a name that fits. When I see his name my brain automatically fills in the one I gave him.
(Maude Allen 7:33pm January 15, 2010)

I have read books where I could never pronounce the name, and have trouble stumbling over them as I try over and over when I hit them. They drive me crazy :) My favorites were Aragorn from LoTR, and Hermione from the Harry Potter series. They were outstanding names for me. I've never bought a book because of an outstanding character name in the title but there are a few that do stand out. I've been drawn in more by artwork than names. However, some titles have drawn me in because of curiosity.
(Theresa Dunlap 7:53pm January 15, 2010)

Yes, yes, and yes...all three! I am absolutely a judge a book by the cover (and title) kinda person. Catchy titles and covers always catch my attention.

I do wish authors who use odd, hard to pronounce names would somehow work the pronunciation into the story or put a pronunciation guide at the back of the book. I get very frustrated by names that I don't know how to pronounce.
(Michelle K 8:35pm January 15, 2010)

I have read and gotten a book just because of the name of the hero or some one in the book. I also named my one child from a book I had read while being pregnant and I liked the name so well. susan L.
(Susan Leech 9:16pm January 15, 2010)

I've been known to pick up a book with a catchy title - once in a while I'm disappointed, but generally I'm pleased with the results.
[email protected]
(Penny Tuttle 10:02pm January 15, 2010)

I follow fave writers but
often pick up books off the
New Book section at the
library. Sometimes I pick
because I recognize the
author, but usually there will
be titles that jump out at me.
(Betty Dennis 10:21pm January 15, 2010)

I more often buy books because of the authors than because of the titles! I'm trying to break away from that and discover new authors now!
(Brenda Rupp 12:40pm January 16, 2010)

Oh my,YES! I have picked up so many books just by the title alone! I pick them up just by my favorite authors too. Most of the time I have like the book, some times I don't. I try to learn by my mistakes and read a bit of the book before I buy but olde habits are hard to break. I found a character in one book I truly loved, I wish I could have named one of my daughters after her but I couldn't. She became my alter-ego; my muse! I truly love her!
(Lisa Glidewell 1:53am January 16, 2010)

Yes I have pick up Books just on the title.But the cover art is more likely to get me.but what draws me the most is if some author i like say good things about a book.
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
(Stacey Smith 2:36am January 16, 2010)

I have rarely picked up a book based on a title. I am more likely to choose based on recommendations, reviews, and the author.
(Krista Kimmel 10:13am January 16, 2010)

I will pick up a book if the title gets my attention. I have a TBI so I have trouble remembering character’s names.
(Sarah Ulfers 5:26pm January 16, 2010)

A good name definitely adds flavor to a story. A hero named Biff just doesn't sound sexy no matter how you describe him. LOL
(Donna Holmberg 6:33pm January 16, 2010)

I'm like Barbara above, I like names that
are easy to pronounce and are not too
weird. Otherwise I get hung up on the
names and quickly lose interest in the
stories.
(Molly Wilsbacher 10:53pm January 16, 2010)

It's hard to keep the characters straight if you can't pronounce the names!
(Diana Donahoo 6:45am January 17, 2010)

me too, i like names that are pronounceable!
(Katayoun Masoodi 7:00am January 17, 2010)

I pick up a book by the cover picture, title or introduction, but mainly by the author. Some character names make the book readable and some do not.
(Rebecca Booth 12:10pm January 17, 2010)

Yes I pick books sometimes for the title!
(Gail Hurt 12:41pm January 18, 2010)

....and what a beautiful cover picture to behold. I like characters that I can relate with - the name is not always a necessary like.
(Danelle Drake 6:54pm January 18, 2010)