I have to confess, the older I get, the pickier I have become about what I read. It might come off a bit highbrow, but I just don't spend time with self-published books or those that have been given the thumbs down by critics.
It's one of the reasons that I created Readers With Wrinkles. I'm pretty sure there are large groups of discerning readers out there that join me in my book snobbery. But even if you've learned to check your book attitudes at the doorf and are open to reading anything and everything, my goal is to make each read something special for you.
So what makes a book great? Is it awards? Popularity? Book sales? Nah. Not even close. I've read many award-winning books by famous authors that are on the NYT Best Seller List that fall flat.
What makes a book great is a very personal thing that is totally dependent on the the reader. It's all about YOU.
What floats your boat for a great read may not be the same for everyone, but I promise that if a book ticks off at least 8 of the factors below, you are in love with that book. See if you agree.
The-Cry-Me-A-River Tear Factor
Actually, it doesn't have to be a river; just a muddy creek will do. Any book that causes my eyes to leak gets at least an 8. Recently, I bawled like a baby after Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell, Go As a River by Shelley Read, and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Actually, I still get weepy when I think about Go As a River.
The In-Stitches Humor Factor
My husband and I listen to books as we fall asleep each night. We both come from families that valued the importance of reading and bedtime stories, so listening to books at night feels, well, comfortable. I may be jumping on a trampoline with a 6-year-old in London (Frank and Red by Matt Coyne), while my husband is zooming through the universe in a spaceship (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams), but when I hear him laugh out loud, as opposed to snoring, I know he's got a winner. I'm the same way. Any audible snort, giggle or belly laugh gets an 8 for us.
The So's-Your-Old-Man Relatability Factor
We all become a champion for anything or anyone we can relate to. I grew up with some real-life colorful characters in Texas, so when I read books like Mockingbird Summer by Lynda Rutledge or The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson, I see my grandmothers, Mimi and Mup, and my Uncle Ray, who loved baseball, and my poor mother, who every year made costumes for our church's live nativity scene.
The Bated-Breath Suspense Factor
I love to be scared when I'm reading a book. But I have to be careful what I'm listening to at night because often what's going on in my book comes alive in my dreams. I dreamed of chasing vampires while I was reading The Southern Bookclub's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix, and don't get me started on any of my recent Stephen King reads (Holly and Fairy Tale). Sometimes my dreams pick up where the book left off when I fell asleep. Now that's scary.
The When-I-Was-A-Kid History Repeats Itself Factor
The final years of my mother's life were filled with reading historical romances. She loved the ones that had a hunky, shirtless hero depicted on the cover. I'm sure she always had interesting dreams. I'm not really into romance books, but I love historical fiction. I'm waiting for the day that The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon is made into a movie. Ka Pow!
The Talk-Your-Ear-Off Dialogue Factor
I love clever, well-written banter in books. Of course, since I listen to audiobooks, a great narrator makes a big difference. The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride was narrated by Dominic Hoffman. In this book, there are a ton of characters, all from different ethnic backgrounds. Hoffman nailed it with his accents and character interpretations, which made me become totally engrossed with the book. It was a 9 for me.
The Eureka New Knowledge Factor
About ten years ago I read Moonwalking With Einstein by Joshua Foer. This one sucked me in with its title. In the book, Foer teaches techniques for remembering anything. I was intrigued, and now I can recite, in order, all the U.S. presidents, their VPs, and their wives. After that, I learned all the Oscar-winning movies, along with the Best Actor and Actress winners. Not only is this great for my chances at being a contestant on Jeopardy!, but it is like brain calisthenics. And all because I was intrigued by the title of the book. It's an old-dog-new-trick thing.
The No-Sleep-Tonight Readability Factor
This one is also known as The Rewind-So-I-Don't-Miss-Anything Factor if you listen to audiobooks. So have you ever stayed up all night reading or listening to a book? I have. I grew up in a suburb of Dallas, Texas, and was in third grade when Kennedy was assassinated there. I stayed up all night listening to Stephen King's 11/22/63. It was different from King's norm and so "spot on" about things in Dallas, I couldn't quit listening. Awesome read.
The My-Hero Protagonist Factor
I love it when a protagonist finds his way in the world. Although I love for a book to surprise me, in my heart of hearts, I like to see the good guy win. Granted, life isn't always like that, but I read to escape, so I'm always rooting for the protagonist. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver and James by Percival Everett both had heroes that I loved.
The Wish-You-Were-Here Setting Factor
Normally, the setting, as far as where a book takes place, is the last thing that gets me excited about reading. However, since I live in Mexico, I am always attracted to books that take place in my chosen country. The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzales James combines magical realism that is found in so many great novels set in Mexico as well as an awesome family saga read. Likewise, if a book is set in a place where I've never been and it makes me want to be there, it's a good book. Recently I read Dream State by Eric Pucher and The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah. I've never been to Montana or Alaska respectively, but each location was so beautifully described that they each became a main character of each book.
Have I missed anything? So what makes you fall in love with a book?
As a blogger and writer, I am humbled and pleased to bring stories into my readers’ lives. It's an emotional thing when someone actually reads my stuff. Thank you for making it this far into this post.
As a reader, though, I am eternally grateful to the authors who labor so diligently to teach me new things, terrify me into screaming at night, make me laugh, remind me of the good old days, and, well, entertain me.
Have you fallen in love with a book lately? If so, I'd like to hear all about it below.
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