Books I Have Loved

Those of us who are trying to write the next great novel are probably partially motivated to it by the books that we’ve personally enjoyed. We all have a list. I have a list, which I admit, changes and expands as time goes on. Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order) and why:

 

The Lord of the Rings (trilogy)by J.R.R. Tolkien because it calls to me in the fall. I want to be out on the open road with Frodo and Sam.

The Harry Potter series(7 books) by J.R. Rowling because of the clever plot and endearing characters, and because it’s gotten so many young people to become avid readers.

A Death in Venice by Thomas Mann because in the narrators description of the boy, lies the heart and soul of art.

Damien by Herman Hesse because it gave me a completely different perspective on religion.

Tom Jones by Henry Fielding because it made me laugh and laugh and laugh some more with its dry wit.

The Stand by Stephen King because the corn field scenes were the most frightening thing I’ve ever read.

A Song of Ice and Fire series (5 books) by George R.R. Martin because it is an amazingly and admirably complex fantasy.

The Name of the Wind / A Wise Man’s Fear (2 books)by Richard Rothfuss because it’s a great tale, where the side journeys of the hero are as important as the main quest. That’s not so easy to do.

The Master and Commander series (20 books)by Patrick O’Brian because it does such a uniquely accurate job of presenting the lives of the sailing men of the 1800’s.

Germinal, by Emile Zola, because it defines repression and the despair that results from it in an eloquent and gut-wrenching way.

Les Fleurs du Mal (The Flowers of Evil) by Charles Baudelaire because he makes poetry a visceral experience.

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco because it’s an amazing mystery wrapped in an altogether unexpected plot.

I could continue listing books I love for a long time, but these 12 are a fair representation of what I like and read. (well - I guess it's more like 45 books in all - but who's counting) My point is, my list tilts toward fantasy and history and decidedly away from romance. That's not a judgement, it's simply my personal taste. I think it says that I like a strong experience from a book. I want it to affect me, stab my psyche, make me laugh, cry, scream, wince, grit my teeth and generally, be sucked down the rabbit hole. I enjoy clever symbolism, but also a very plot driven read.

 

What does your own list of most loved books say about you? Can you use that understanding to help you write better?  Can you use that information to look for holes in your writing?

If, like me, you love plot, you might inadvertently sacrifice character development. If you love description, you might lose sight of tension or pace. So, knowing your own likes, and understanding why, can help you focus on those areas where you may be weakest. Try it for yourself.  Make a list and dissect it. Look for patterns in the books you chose, and think about what sorts of things you didn't choose. Self-knowledge can only help you to produce that next great novel!

Laurie