A GOOD BOOK IS HARD TO DEFINE

 

Have you ever read a book and thought that the plot actually made no sense or that the characters were not original enough? Or maybe you will remember that novel a friend recommended as a “goodread” which utterly turned you off by the third paragraph. Personally, I have been able to read and re-read some books while others have barely been able to draw the passion of my thumb and the ardent attention of my brain. The obvious is, every reader, whether casual or passionate has their pull to certain types of books, subjects and genres FIRST before others, and what’s more? It is often dicy to pinpoint what the first pull to a book is. Some people say the Author is a compelling factor, the more famous the Author, the more likely they are to go for the book and psychologically, the more easier it is for them to end up liking the book too. Some also fall in love with a book’s title and though they may not read to the last page, the Title itself is enough for them to remember the book and recommend it to others. For some readers, it is the issue raised, the conflict built and also very importantly the impression they get by the time they get to THE END. Indeed everyone has their definition of a “good book” but the daunting fact is that “A GOOD BOOK IS HARD TO DEFINE”.  Here are however some brave friends who have dared to define what a good book is and what literature means to them. See if you agree!

 

Literature for me, is a mind trip or mental journey. Through my mind, Literature allows me to see places I have never been to, do things I have never done that I only imagine, live lives I have never had and also sometimes  understand better aspects of myself I have never thought about. Therefore for me, a GOOD BOOK opens my mind and my eyes to the exterior and interior World leading me to think differently, and most importantly, choose differently.

Julia,  from Italy

 

 
 

Literature for me, is a way to escape from everyday life, a chance to live a present, past and future or imagined reality that otherwise I could never enjoy. But most importantly, A GOOD BOOK is one that leaves a mark, that involves me and fascinates me, one that  I can read and read again and which will always have something new to tell me. Reading gives me wealth, every GOOD BOOK gives me some new feeling and emotion.

Alice, from Italy

I will say a GOOD BOOK has an effect on future life. That book is beneficial to people.  For instance if in a bad mood or not well, people should feel better and live better after reading a GOOD BOOK. But, different forms of literature have different aspects of interest and focus, and what I deem most important is that the book I read should impact me positively. The most important aspect is also the Writer and his Content. But I often don’t say that a book is GOOD or BAD. It actually depends on the need of the reader. That may also inform his choice of a book.

Gaojing, from Mongolia

 

The people and life displayed in a literature work usually lead me to reset my priorities in life. Things I once believed to be indispensable to me have been challenged and ridiculed in literature, and always for a good reason. I take my grades in school, or maybe titles in some organization for example, I used to heavily rely on them to hold confidence, and I thought I’d surely collapse without them. However, at some point during reading, I felt I’d just be fine without them. I felt emotionally richer, which means I need less emotional support from the outside world. I felt I needed less attention, compliment and admiration from other people, especially when I heard Holden say “people always clap for the wrong things” in The Catcher in The Rye. I couldn’t agree more. Since then, I don’t feel motivated that much to do things only to impress people. Literature has helped me to spend less time and energy pursuing things I don’t want. On a flip side, I’ve stopped overlooking the many forms of beauty in life and I attach more importance to them as they deserve.

Every time I understand a line in literature, my ability to appreciate, love and forgive grows an inch. And as long as a book won’t make me complain “What’s the author blabbing about!”, it is a GOOD BOOK to me.

Caroline, from China

What then is YOUR definition of a GOOD BOOK?

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