Setting

Does the setting of the novel have any effect on your opinion of book? The reason I ask is because, a couple of weeks ago, I started reading a book. However, within the first few pages, I learned the book took place in NYC, so I immediately decided that I didn't want to read it. I've read books in NYC, but the feel that NYC gives is not my favorite. I don't really know how to explain it.

On broader terms, you could compare a rural setting vs. an urban setting. Or if you want to go even broader, you could compare the feel various countries give a novel. Granted, some of that is contingent upon the author, who is likely to be writing the story in his or her home country.

So, how does setting affect your take on a novel?

Most important thing in choosing a book to read

When you are choosing a book to read, what's the most important thing you look at? The cover, the summary, the author, the title, reviews, or something else?

Although I use a combination of the above (like most people, probably), I would have to say reviews are the most important. I like to see what other people like or dislike about the novel. The one I could probably care least about is the author. If I like one book by an author, I try to read the others, but if I dislike a book by an author, I try to give his/her other books a chance. I also love discovering new authors.