Tags
childhood story, complicated plot-line, educational, emotional content, movie, novel, re-reading, Soulmate
A good book can often be compared to a good movie. It can be excellent entertainment but only needs to be read once. And while you may have enjoyed the reading experience you have no desire to ever revisit the story. But every so often there are classic stories that are so tantalizing that they invite you into their world yet again. I believe that there are 3 factors that contribute to this unique experience!
#1 Emotional Content: Yes, naturally if a book is written in an emotional style it can draw us into re-reading the story. But emotions can link us to a particular book for various reason. It can be a childhood story, a book that helped us forget our own issues, or a novel whose main character touched us personally. It should not surprise us if our emotions are involved because the process of reading requires us to use our imagination which is closely linked to our emotional character. To sum things up, a book that does not inspire re-reading is a failed emotional connection.
#2 Complicated Plot-line: While it is enjoyable to completely understand and follow a particular plot-line, it is the book that leaves us just a little confused at the end that has done the trick. You can not help but wonder what you have missed, what detail you overlooked, and where can you fill in the gaps? Such a book beckons you to read it again with more intensity than before. Any writer who can successfully pull off a complicated plot-line will not only have a book worth re-reading, but also the potential for eagerly anticipated sequels.
#3 Educational: To be educational does not simply mean a book that imparts information. Which explains why may people do not particularly enjoy re-reading school books or instruction manuals. But rather a book that teaches you a new way of thinking, of living, of feeling. That is why I feel that book that shares the inner details of another culture in such a way that you feel it can be your own experience has created literary art!
There can be many other valid reasons to explain our personal attachment to one book verses another. Nevertheless, finding a great book is much like looking for true love. You don’t let one dull plot-line stop you from trying again and searching for the literary equivalent of your Soulmate!
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