Day: June 19, 2008

Think about your favorite authors, your favorite books . . . what is it about them that makes you love them above all the other authors you’ve read? The stories? The characters? The way they appear to relish the taste of words on the tongue? The way they’re unafraid to show the nitty-gritty of life? How they sweep you off to a new, distant place? What is it about those books and authors that makes them resonate with you in ways that other, perfectly good books and authors do not? – BTT

It would be too long to list all the books that I like, but in general, I do like style, prose and those who can be literary and wise. As a result, I like a lot of classics. I also like stories which I can be involved and swept away. I am an escapist and read books that take myself away from the setting or distorts reality (yes, I am one of those people who likes magical realism). I like reading fantasy and travel books as well as books that reflect the “nitty-gritty”.

It’s true that I often like the characters. For a lot of my favourite books, there are characters I would like as friends, but there are equally characters I like because I am deeply fascinated by or I can see myself reflected in them. Though, I don’t always feel for the characters. Sometimes the writing is so excellent, I love the prose, story, and the themes more than the characters.

I like introspection from authors where they do talk about society and life. Authors who are on the poetic side also enchant me. The best books are the ones in which I can see myself rereading because not only is the author excellent, but the words are beautiful and they speak volumes about important things in life. It’s usually a mix of all the above or most of the elements that I can reread again. I like books that are funny and amusing as well as candid and true.