Get to Know Me / Talk About Books tag

I stole this from AJ at Read All the Things and thought I'd copy/borrow/steal it. AJ got this tag from 

How do you rate books?

I use a star rating and am generous with the stars I give out. If I don't like a book, I tend not to finish it, so it doesn't end up on the blog. A 4 means I liked the book, and a 5 means I loved it (and it's probably staying on my shelves). I do wish Goodreads had half stars.

What's your review style?

My reviews are written quickly, very soon after I finish a book, so the ideas and feelings are fresh in my mind. They are usually short, giving my thoughts on the characters, plot (as long as I don't give anything away), and what I liked or didn't like. 

What's the book that made you a reader?

Hmmm. I don't know the answer to this one. As a kid, I remember loving E.B. White's Stuart Little so much that I wrote to the author (all I got back was a newsletter). I liked reading as a kid and a teen, but didn't become an avid reader until my 30s.

Do you read widely, or do you have a genre niche?

I read fairly widely. I enjoy narrative nonfiction, contemporary romance, historical fiction, contemporary literature, and dystopian (sometimes). I tend to shy away from horror, classics, fantasy, and sci-fi.

Do you prefer character-driven or plot-driven stories?

I definitely like a plot-driven book since it holds my attention more. But I also need to like the characters; it's just a little less important to keep my attention.

A book you love so much you don't care if others hate it?

My book group read Remarkably Bright Creatures, and I really enjoyed it while they didn't. I thought it was fun, and they thought it was fluff. I like fluff.

What are some "bad" books, tropes, or themes that you like?

Oh gosh, every trope in contemporary romance! As long as everyone is mostly happy at the end I am good with it.

Do you have any dealbreakers in books?

No real deal breakers, but I am not good at stuff that is too scary (think true crime), something that can freak me out that it may actually happen. 

What makes a book stand out to you?

When I fall in love with the story and characters, it's usually set outside the US.