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I've noticed a lot of talk about POV's in books lately. I have two questions in these areas. One is multiple POV's in one book. What do you think? Do you love them, hate them, don't care one way or the other? My second question is about when an author writes the same story in a second book but from a different characters POV. An example being the recently release of Walking Disaster. This seems to be a trend lately. Is this something that you like or is it over kill by the author?

I don't like multiple POV's in a book, especially when there are a lot of them. I can handle it when there are two characters' POV's, but I'd still rather there only be one. And in first-person. Third-person POV is hard for me to get into, which is sad, since I never used to be that way.

As for authors writing the same book from a different character's perspective, well, it really depends on the book, for me. I think it's getting ridiculous now, because everyone is doing it, but it can be interesting. For example, I'm super excited for the last book in the Slammed series by Colleen Hoover, and that's going to be about Slammed from Will's point of view. But since I love Colleen's writing, I'm sure she'll pull it off, and it won't feel like we've gotten the same story twice.

As for Walking Disaster, I don't really know why we needed it, but apparently, it's not just Beautiful Disaster over again. I haven't read it though, and I may not even read it at all, considering my feelings for Beautiful Disaster.

Sorry for the rambling. :)

Brianna wrote: "I don't like multiple POV's in a book, especially when there are a lot of them. I can handle it when there are two characters' POV's, but I'd still rather there only be one. And in first-person. Th..."


You didn't ramble at all :) I hated Beautiful Disaster so I'm with you on that. I too will not read Travis' version despite the fact that I liked him in the book. I've heard from people that read Walking Disaster that it is really not much different & it would be really hard to follow if you had not read the first one. If I do ever try to read it it will have to be from the library. I wouldn't pay for it.

I think I am in a minority but multiple POV do not bother me. I was surprised when I started being active on GR how big a deal POV were to most readers. I will read first person, third or multiple with no real preference as long as I like the story.

I really do not like this new trend of writing the book again from another characters POV. I agree that it is mostly in contemp romance right now & I hope it stays there. I feel like it's an author rip off. I don't want to pay two times for the same story. If they feel they have something important to say from another character they should put it in the first book.

Personally I think POV is sometimes specific in certain genre's. Like an action book or a mystery or even romance I really like first person.

But often in fantasy or UF I actually prefer third person unless you are a super talented author who can pull off first person. Poorly written 1st person POV just sucks the life out of a book it makes me feel trapped in their head.

As for alternating viewpoints...I think the biggest challenge is that it seems like either I care more about one point of view vs another or the author does not have them contribute to the plot equally.

What is more important for me is the protagonist they are what makes or breaks a story.

I have no problem with multiple POVs. In fact, sometimes it enriches the story to see things from different characters perspectives.

I recently participated in a discussion focusing on thrillers in which the killer's POV is included. Many said they disliked being in the head of a psychopath but for me having this POV often ratchets up the suspense and makes the plot scarier and more engrossing.

Until recently, I have avoided first person POV because I was never able to identify with the main character. However, I have been able to get over this pet peeve with audiobooks as it is like the character is speaking to me rather than me being inside their head.

I'm not a huge fan of first person POV. I find it difficult to care much about the narrator though obviously there are exceptions. I much prefer third person POV, and in a romance I do enjoy the POV from both h/H. When reading a mystery I like close third person POV. The problem I have with first person POV is that if I dislike the narrator for some reason, I will not read the book past the first chapter. I don't have a problem with multiple POVs unless the author has a cast of thousands.

Lauren wrote: "I have no problem with multiple POVs. In fact, sometimes it enriches the story to see things from different characters perspectives.

I recently participated in a discussion focusing on thrillers ..."

I read a lot of thrillers & I think the POV from the cop & one from the killer. I think it is a great technique if done right. I've read some really good books with that style. I like being in the killers head. Makes it creepier.

Kathy wrote: "Alisa wrote: "I think I am in a minority but multiple POV do not bother me. I was surprised when I started being active on GR how big a deal POV were to most readers. I will read first person, th..."

I agree with the present tense thing (like The HungerGames). NO ONE tells a story like that, not even in a diary does someone write in present tense. It's a story no matter the POV, it happened in the past.
As far as POV's go I think it dependson the story but I am ok with all types.
As far as multiple tellings of the same story I agree with Alisa. I think it shows a lack of imagination on the authors part and is a cheap way to get more money out of fans. Again I agree, if it's that important put it in the story to begin with.

Alisa and Mike...how common is the same story told from different point of views? I can only think of two...rather surprising and I agree with you both it seems like a sham

Dawn wrote: "Alisa and Mike...how common is the same story told from different point of views? I can only think of two...rather surprising and I agree with you both it seems like a sham"

I know that aside from onesthat have been mentioned here Stephanie Meyer is in the middle of writing Twilight from Edward's POV.

Dawn wrote: "Alisa and Mike...how common is the same story told from different point of views? I can only think of two...rather surprising and I agree with you both it seems like a sham"


It's becoming a big trend in contemporary romance. I think UF/PNR are free from it at this time. Even in a book I liked like I am not going to read the same story from the guys view next. I want to smack her for even going down that road. I won't read the next book on principle alone.

I much prefer 3rd person. I like getting in the head of all the characters and not stuck in the mcs the whole time. But there are some 1st person series I do really like. I would read a lot more UF (and Cozies)if it wasn't pretty much all in 1st person. 1st person a lot of times feels like someone just reading off a report to me of their day/life and I don't feel that with 3rd person.

I really don't like 1st person in romance. It's seems to be almost always in the woman's perspective. It feels too chick-lit for me that way and I'm not a big chick-lit fan.

I really like the Sugar Maple books by Barbara Bretton. She alternates the chapters between his and her POV. I like that. I've noticed a trend lately though of a book being primarily 1st person and then every so often a section is added in someone else's POV. If you are going to do that than make it a regular thing not just a random few paragraphs here and there. Or better yet just put it in 3rd person.

I don't like it when it's a series with different main characters as the focus in each book but in 1st person.

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I much prefer 3rd person. I like getting in the head of all the characters and not stuck in the mcs the whole time. But there are some 1st person series I do really like. I would read a lot more..."


Love your knickname Mary. :)

hehe thanks.