Old Book Monday - May 7th
Quite a few book bloggers participate in a weekly meme in which they share delicious and mouth-watering pictures of the new books they have recently received.
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Random Thoughts on Reading
Books a Million
My uncle, who loved books, passed away in 2008 and left his entire collection of books—30 large boxes worth—to my sister and I. It wasn’t until recently, however, that we had the heart to go through them—there were just too many painful memories of grief, loss, and the hole in our lives that was left by his passing. Without him, there was no longer anyone to recommend little known titles by favorite authors, relate fascinating anecdotes from the lives of the literary greats, and to turn us onto previously unknown authors.
Great Book Love
I was recently asked what my goals as a writer are. The most common answers to that question are “to write a bestseller” or “to make enough money to quit my job.” But my goal has always been much simpler—and much grander: to write a book that people love. It doesn’t have to be many people. But I want to write a book that people melt into, that they get caught up in and can’t put down and then, when they’re finished, cry because it’s over and they want more.
In thinking about some of the most beloved and enduring books, the books I return to again and again, I wonder what it is about them that evokes such a strong, emotional attachment. What is it about Anne Shirley that makes people travel to Prince Edward Island just to see the place a fictional character might have lived, had she been real? What is it about Harry Potter that makes us invent a whole new sport and wear gold and scarlet striped scarves just so we can feel a part of his world? I study the texts, taking them apart word by word, trying to discover what the magic and it always eludes me. Most of these cherished favorites are as different from each other as cottage cheese and fish. What, then, makes a great book? Is it the language—the actual words used—the setting, the plot, the characters, or some magical combination of these elements? I’ve read many books that are good, very good, or even great that I wouldn’t describe as “beloved.” In fact, many of the most beloved books have received more popular acclaim than literary honors.
What do you think? What are some of your favorite books and why do you return to them again and again? What do you love about the story and why do you think its appeal has been so enduring?