What Makes a Book an All Night Read?
There’s nothing better than diving into a new book. Even after reading the back cover, leafing through the pages, maybe checking the reviews, there’s always that promise, that wonder: ‘Will I like this book? Will I LOVE this book? Will I HATE this book?’
In the back of your mind, there’s always the hope that it’s an all-night read. Because, those kind are the absolute best.
Growing up, I was a real bookworm. I would read just about anything. Many a night I tented my comforter, flashlight in hand, and read into the wee hours. In those days, I’d do that with any book. I was young. My only responsibilities were staying awake in school.
As I’ve gotten older, become a working lady, wife, and mother of three kids; my time is at a premium. And so is my rest. I need to be on the ball, top of my game, and filled with the energy that comes from being well rested. There goes staying up until dawn reading. In fact, managing just a few pages before I fall asleep with the book in my hand, is truly an accomplishment. The rule is, ‘Mommy needs 8 hours of sleep or else she’s mean.’
But, there’s always an exception to every rule. When I’m reading a book that answers the question, ‘Will I love thing book?’ with a rousing ‘YES!’, I read as if its 1982. I read as the clock passes midnight, as my people sleep, and with no care to the repercussions of a sleep-free night.
I adore stories that take me away like Calgon. Where the characters, joys, tribulations, adventures and celebrations come alive in my imagination like a vivid movie reel. These are books that I think about all day when I’m not reading them. That I wish were longer when they’re done. That I could read over and over if there wasn’t another one waiting for me on the horizon.
What makes a book an unputdownable all night read? I crave three things:
- Characters that totally draw me in. Maybe I feel like thy’re my friends. Or, I wish I was them. Possibly, I know someone just like the characters. They may make me laugh, make me cry, or even make me hate them. Regardless, they engage me so that I want more and more, and I miss them when the book is done.
- A well woven story. Even the most mundane days can result in amazing stories. It doesn’t matter how extravagant the story line is. What’s important is what the author takes you on the journey.
- Situations that engage me, my heart, or my imagination. I need to connect to the book in some way. I love authors who give of themselves when they write. And, you can tell. Books that are pretentious-too focused on weird characters, are confusing, or riddled with fancy language that goes nowewhere, those are not engaging. Without drawing me in, even the most incredible characters, the best stories, the most exotic of locales are a waste. I may plow through the book, but I won’t lose sleep over it.
By @chickymara , www.beniceorleavethanks.com
What makes a book unputdownable for you?
