Fall into A Good Book

When I buy a book to read, I don't want it to be just a mystery, a romance, or an adventure. I want it to include some of each of those. I understand authors are supposed to know their genre, and follow the rules of that genre. But consider this analogy.

There was a time when speakers were categorized as motivational speakers, or humorists, or by their topics. But the truth is that an outstanding speech combines all of those, motivation, humor, topic facts, and entertainment.

So it is with good books. If a book is only a mystery, only a romance, I consider it thin.

And I want to see flawed characters. Characters who may have some cognitive dissonance going on, holding opposing attitudes or beliefs at the same time, like the heavy woman who jogs to the doughnut shop, or the boat captain who gets seasick. Come on. People are like that. But in the end, I want to see truth, and justice. Even if it's the possibility of a future Phoenix rising from the ashes. And I think most readers want that.

Here is one of my favorite poems, by one of my favorite poets, David McCord. It sums up for me, what makes a good book.

 Books Fall Open.

“Books fall open,

you fall in,

delighted where

you've never been;

hear voices not once

heard before,

reach world on world

through door on door;

find unexpected

keys to things

locked up beyond

imaginings...”
- David McCord