Today’s Thought - From March 12, 2009

What is it about a good story that keeps us reading and then has us searching for more books by the same author? Is it a character that we can relate to? A story that involves a time or place that we could never be a part of? What are the elements that draw you into a book and then keep you turning page after page? I have to say that those elements vary for me from story to story, but I think there are certain foundational elements that I always like to find in the books that I read. Those elements include: a Christ-centered undertone, a moral standard, enjoyable characters, intriguing details, and a good ending. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good ending. When a book doesn’t go the way I want it to, I begin to struggle with thoughts about the author and begin to plot out what I’ll do differently when I write my own novel. When I pick up a book, do I always get a “keeper?” The answer would certainly be no. I simply cannot always discern if a book will be a “winner” or not; I have not been blessed with that ability yet and may never receive it. Then the question is: What do I do when I begin a book and realize that it may not be a “winner?” The thing I do most of the time is try to read on and hope the book improves or that there is something redeeming in the reading. I have a hard time investing in a story and then abandoning it partway through. It just seems like such a waste to me. Some may say, “Move on to something that you know you will enjoy reading. Why cause yourself the aggravation and waste time on something that you aren’t really enjoying?” My issue with that is that I have an inherent need to know how it ends, and most of the time I really do find something of “value” in the books that aren’t necessarily my favorites. So where does this whole discussion leave us? It leaves us at the point where we started – “What are the elements that draw you into a book and then keep you turning page after page?” You need to answer that question for yourself. As a Christian, I attempt to keep my reading standards fairly high. I don’t mean high intellectually, but rather, high morally. This to me is very important in my walk with Christ. I hope that you have received some food for thought from this little clip for today. Be blessed in all things!