Wednesday Got Lost in a Sea of Rewrites and Edits
Wow, I totally forgot about Wednesday. The Labor Day holiday threw me off, totally. So, we’ll skip the Wednesday Word feature and take on something else.
Books. I couldn’t live without them. Could you? I wrote recently about my new purchases at a book fair, adding to my ever growing collection. What is it that draws me to books? It’s something deep rooted. I’ve been reading since age 4 and have spent many hours lost in a story. My childhood books all bear my signature, half-cursive, large and dominant. I must have counted all my books once and obviously felt the need to write the numbers in the books themselves. My 1946 edition of Alice in Wonderland has the number 46 written on the front page. In the Looking Glass was number 81? Curious.
I’m drawn to book today by criteria that’s not easily defined, it’s a visual, aesthetic attraction which has me pick up a book most of the time. I’m likely to consider a range of things when arbitrarily searching for new books:
- The cover art- no hunky man or heaving breasts for me. No ‘chick-lit’ type pictures.
- The title, a catchy tile can really pull in a prospective reader, just like a blog title.
- The actual feel of the book. I don’t pick up random mass fiction paperbacks unless I’m specifically looking for a particular author.
- The ‘look’ inside. It’s not a particular font but rather the feel of the font, not too small, not too big. And, sometimes the texture of the paper.
- Words. I read the first line of the book then flip through and read a few lines here and there.
- And, of course the back of the book; I read the blurbs on the book. If I like the author being quoted I’m more likely to find the book appealing.
It’s sort of a love affair with books, more like love at first sight. I can’t really describe it but I know what I want when I see it. And, then I get soft in the knees and I succumb to the urge to buy. And, buy.
Do you have specific criteria for buying a new book? What turns you on, in a literary sense?
Photo by Eric M. Martin @Flickr.com
The title certainly is the first thing that captures my attention and then I turn to the first page to get a sense of the writing style if I am not familiar with the author. The first paragraph either compels me to read further or has me put the book back on the shelf.
Well written mysterys, books that teach me something about places and/or a certain aspect of humanity and biographies are at the top of my lists.
I like being introduced to books I would not normally pick. The other day at the free library here, a woman was putting her books back. I asked how she liked them and the one she recommended (one I would not have chosen on my own) was a delightful read.
And, what was it?
I’ll read some genre fiction but prefer literary fiction. Being from Canada I tend to lean towards Canadian fiction as my first choice but by no means limit myself to that. I’m currently reading The Confederacy of Dunces. What are you reading right now?
I’m reading the second in the series of the Dragon Tattoo and I’m totally entranced…it’s one of those books that keeps me up late at night. Before that I read Small Island by Andrea Levy, a Whitbred Winner I believe. I too prefer literary fiction but a good mystery always gives me a little relaxation. You can check out the page on 100 Books in 2010 to see my list.
Hi Walker,
I haven’t really thought how I pick up books. But certainly I remember when I bought one. I saw it in the bookshelf and It really caught my eye, so I read the first lines:
“Hi. Mi name is Rodrigo. Rodrigo Montalvo Letellier. Before I went to psychologist I was happy. Now I’m dyslexic, obsessive, depressive and I have frea to death, I mean fear.”
I was passing a rough time by those years so, It made me laugh. After finishing it made me laugh too, besides Rodrigo (the main character) it has a cat that barks!
Thank’s for making me remember that day, this specific moment (my mystical encounter with the book) is one of the most precious and best moments of my life. It was worth loosing the Wednesday post, he, he.
Have a nice day!
I believe that we are ‘led’ to something at the right moment in time, upon occasion. This sounds like one of those moments.
I’m so glad I could be of some help in reconnecting with a memory.
[...] hace unos momentos leí un artículo de una gran mujer llamada Walker que también es bloggera y escritora. Esto viene al caso porque [...]
Hi Walker,
I love this! It looks like I use much of the same criteria as you. I find I cycle through genres. Lately, I’m reading about bibliophiles, rare books and book lovers in general. I cruise Amazon, read the reviews, look at the covers and read the first part of the book. I still come across stinkers and I toss those right away because life is too short to read bad books.
George
rare books… I’ve been dying to respond and share this book, it was fascinating and a bit of a puzzle. The love between the 2 characters was probably more than it seemed, or maybe not?
Old Books, Rare Friends, by Madeline Stern and Leona Rostenberg. One of the 2 women in this book is credited with discovering the ‘other’ Louisa Mae Alcott. Great story!
I love books, a total addict. For me I have to be drawn in by the summary on the back or the flap, it has to be something that piques my interest and make me want to read more – I know, that is so obvious! I love books that involve travel. I buy all kinds of books. Lately I am on a search for a really fantastic love story, but so far I haven’t found anything worth buying…
I have a recommendation, I seem to recall that the love story component. is pretty powerful. Ahdaf Soueif’s The Map of Love… I can’t recall the whole story, but I know it was a compelling read. And, this one has travel and food components….The Feasting Season by Nancy Coons… sexy stuff!
I have to have read the last book I purchased before I let myself buy the next one, unless it is of course a book at a steal of a price and I’ve been wanting that particular book anyway! Walker, come meet Bonnie and Butterfly when you have a minute. http://acamphosthousewifesmeanderings.blogspot.com/2010/09/meet-bonnie-and-butterfly.html
Oh, my do you have self-restraint!
I took a quick look at Bonnie and am intrigued. I can’t imagine doing that alone!