Blogger: Rachel Zurakowski
Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Last week one of my clients pointed out that I’d been reading a lot of Jane Austen-related books. He saw on the “What We’re Reading” box on the blog that I’d recently read The Jane Austen Book Club, Emma, and Jane Austen Ruined My Life. What he didn’t know was I also watched the movie “Emma” (the version with Gwyneth Paltrow) last week too! I hadn’t realized that I was going through a “Jane Austen junkie” phase, but he was kind enough to bring it to my attention. 🙂
This realization got me thinking. What caused this desire in me to read and experience Jane Austen? And on a broader level, why are we all drawn to certain types of books?
I think that we tend to read books that fill a need for us. With nonfiction, a reader is going to go out looking for a book that will help her fix a problem in her life or that will explain an experience that she’s going through. Just look at some of the nonfiction bestsellers: Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist by Michael J. Fox; The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite by Dr. David Kessler; Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a time by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin; The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan.
Michael J. Fox and Kelly Corrigan’s books are about their outlook on life even in the midst of struggles with cancer and MS. Reading about how they’ve remained strong and optimistic can help readers who are going through their own struggles, similar or not. The End of Overeating addresses a major American issue: obesity. The book takes a positive stance on overeating, giving those who struggle with eating a push toward taking control of the problem. Three Cups of Tea is an encouraging story that informs the reader about world struggles and shares a story of peace. Each of these books nourishes the reader in one way or another. I’d say most popular, nonfiction books have a positive message. The book might cover difficult topics, but the overall takeaway is uplifting.
Fiction is a little harder to generalize. We’re still looking for a book to fill a need, but it seems as if every person needs something different. We are all looking for a book we connect to emotionally. Each of us has had that experience in which we read a book we absolutely love, and when it’s over we want to cry. To get past the fact that the book is over we must continually remind ourselves that we can pick it up and start reading it all over again. (That’s the beauty of a book. It’s not like chocolate. A book sticks around even after you’ve enjoyed it. Oh wait, chocolate does that too! 😉 ) Each reader is looking for that strong connection with every book he or she picks up. Some of the books we read will be great books, but we’re all looking for that rare jewel that touches us on a deeper level.
It’s fun because this “gem of a book” is different for everyone. Some of my “gems” are: A Voice in the Wind, An Echo in the Darkness, and Atonement Child by Francine Rivers; Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte; The Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn; Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen; Austenland by Shannon Hale. I connected to the main character in each of these books. While I read, I felt as if I WAS that main character, and because of the connection I was completely drawn into the stories. Interestingly, all of these stories have a young, female protagonist.
So, I’m not sure of the psychology behind why I was reading a lot of Jane Austen-related books (maybe I’ve been thinking about how cool it would be to have one of those fancy ball dresses), but I know that I like books best when I feel connected to the characters.
What are your “gems”? Why do you feel connected to them?
Hello Rachel,
I had to smile at your Jane Austen obsession. I recently bought a Kindle and downloaded all of Jane Austen’s works for 99 cents. Then I read them all, and found myself beginning to talk and write like her. I even apologized to a friend like this, “Please forgive my presumption.” I think she thought I was just a little bit too formal. Ah, the risks of reading the classics…
Blessings,
Jennifer Degler
Great topic. Connection, that is the most important thing for me. I’m even willing to overlook plot holes if I’m really connected. I’m a paranormal/supernatural junkie FOR SURE.
The Twilight series was really good for me. Connected with plain jane Bella. I could totally relate. Then, The Voice by Bill Myers. Loved the silent, strong her and the young adult, who was deaf. Boy, their interactions drew me in.
The House of Night series by PC Cast is another one (YA) I’ve really enjoyed. Again, plain Jane turns into something special yet struggles with every day things, but as she grows in confidence…well, things are starting to work out.
Sorry, got winded there. Just so many great books out there. Thanks for the post!
For me, fiction needs to tell me a layered story with interesting characters–but it must do it in a way that doesn’t make me think too hard and have sentences and words that make my heart sing.
My latest gem is “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society.” Well-written story, rich characters, a little historical, with sentences to linger over. Very Jane-Austen-ish in style.
Among my “comfort reads” are the three novels written by Mary Elgin before she died in 1963. Her wry wit made me laugh the first time I read her books, and returns to haunt me with such lines as, “You can’t exactly dislike a child you gave birth to.”
I read all of Mary Stewart’s novels after a car accident–because I needed logical escapism to remove me from my immediate life. My husband was out to sea at the time and in one novel which included a husband surprisingly home from a mission–the dialogue reminded me so much of my own missing husband, that I read it out loud several times; again, for comfort.
I read a lot of non-fiction, and it’s because I’m interested in different subjects and I want a personal narrative of an account–which is why I like memoirs.
“Clever use of words, good story teller, and the odd phrase,” that’s why my husband loves Jane Austen. “Her ability to dissect character and explain,” also enthralls him. And on days when all he wants to do is lie around, he watches A&E’s “Pride and Prejudice;” a comfort movie based on a comfort novel! 🙂
I just spent the weekend re-reading books from one of my favorite authors, W. Dale Cramer. My favorite of his is “Summer of Light,” but honestly, I love them all.
Charles Martin does the same thing to me. His third book, “When Crickets Cry” is breathtaking; his others are just as beautiful.
I think both of these writers appeal to me because I am from the South, specifically, Ga. Their stories take place in a world I know so well and love so much. Since I also write southern fiction, they are my teachers as well.
Lisa Samson is another author who I come back to again and again. I love “Embrace Me” and “Tiger Lillie”. Her most recent book, “The Passion of Mary Margaret” is partially set in southern Africa, another place I’ve lived and love so much.
Susan Meissner’s “In All Deep Places” is such a beautifully written story that I find myself thinking of it weeks after I’ve closed the book. It is haunting, just like the other books mentioned above.
I think, when it comes down to it, all four of these authors take me home.
I’ve read Kristen Heitzmann’s The Still of the Night about 5 times and haven’t really figured out why. I guess it’s from connecting with the characters, as you say.
I could reread almost any of Susan May Warren’s books.
I guess that’s also how I judge how effective a book is. Do I want to reread it?
I agree that we read a book because it fills a need. Perhaps we aren’t always aware of what that need is until we are into the book and find ourselves somehow satisfied.
I finished reading “There’s No Me Without You” by Melissa Faye Green and went immediately for something else by her, “Praying for Sheetrock.” One concerns the Ethiopian orphan crisis; the other the Civil Right Movement in 1970’s Georgia. I have no direct connection with either place or story.
I was 1/3 of the way into the 2nd book before I was conscious of what drew me. It’s the storytelling style and voice of the author. They are genuine. And this is feeding my current work. I feel i have more guts to tell my story in my voice.
The fictional character who comes alive most to me is Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael. On the surface we’d seem to have little in common, but his humanness appeals to me. Even though there were many books in the series, his character never runs out of layers–a rich backstory that we are allowed to discover over time. Because of his life experiences he has keen insight into the desires and motivations of others. I can’t remember one hero in the story who was not also deeply flawed nor any villain for whom we don’t develop a sympathy. When I revisit his 12th century world, it comes alive so that I have to convince myself that these characters never really lived except in my mind.
Marilyn,
I wonder if you met Melissa Faye Green if the two of you would be fast friends. Since you are drawn to her books through her storytelling voice, perhaps the two of you have a few things in common.
Plus you’re both authors… 🙂
She sounds like someone I would like to meet too!
Thank you, everyone, for your book suggestions! I’m looking forward to picking up the ones I haven’t read.
So here’s what I want to know: Is Stephenie Meyer the new Jane Austen?
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single vampire in possession of a thirst for blood, must be in want of a girlfriend.
I’m very into fiction books but one of my all time favorites is Beyond the Summerland by L.B. Graham. I loved it because the characters in it were very believable, and I was drawn into this fantasy world without being overpowered by too much fantasy at once.
For me, my favorite books are Sci Fi’s, Fantasy and Historical Fiction. I like books that create a new world for me, whether it’s weaving one of the past and reviving it, or just taking bits from the present and adding these fictional elements. Books I enjoy take me into a world and show me around.
I think I never stop picking up Jane Austen because she’s always satisfying… and funny… and gives me a happy ending… and…
the list goes on.
I am definitely drawn to non-fiction. Since I’m on a spiritual journey, Eat, Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert appealed to me. I am a cancer survivor, so I connect with memoirs of people who have overcome challenges like Lance Armstrong and Michael J. Fox.
Oh, Rachel, how those words you speak inspire me to read and reach for Jane! I long to understand Mr. Darcy and Lizzy, and hope springs eternal that Mr. Knightly will truely be happy with Emma. But, alas, Jane teaches us that a hot blast of passionate love experienced by Marianne and Mr. Willoughby cannot be sustained and that Elinor and Edward will go the distance. But did Marianne take second best in learning to love Colonel Brandon? Hmmmm, one must ponder! My fingers long to carress the leather bond tombs that allow me to enter their worlds. sigh…instead, I have to fold the laundry!