Booking Through Thursday: Stories

Today's Topic: If you’re anything like me, one of your favorite reasons to read is for the story. Not for the character development and interaction. Not because of the descriptive, emotive powers of the writer. Not because of deep, literary meaning hidden beneath layers of metaphor. (Even though those are all good things.) No … it’s because you want to know what happens next?
Or, um, is it just me?

Nope, it's not just you. When I write reviews, I am quick to mention if the author was particularly adept at developing her characters or evoking a strong emotional attachment, but for me, it's really all about the story. I think it's the main reason I relate so well to children's literature. Generally, you find that most books geared toward kids are going to be focused on the tale they have to tell. If they're really exceptional, they'll have all that other stuff, too (I'm thinking J.K. Rowling, Cornelia Funke, and Kate DiCamillo). But, what draws me in and holds me til the very end isn't how this character has grown or that imagery made me want to weep. It's the gotta finish, gotta know what's going to happen, dang, I'm on the last page and I don't want it to be over kind of feelings I get from really good storytellers.

So, what do you look for in the books you read?