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I love to read. Don’t you? Isn’t there something magical in the way that the words seem to leap off the page and into your mind? How the characters become something more; something real to you?
That’s the way it is for me.
I started off many years ago with an empty bookcase.
It was nearly a decade ago that I started to add titles to these barren shelves—poetry, biographies, nonfiction, fantasies, quite a few myths and fables, and even some realistic fiction. However, amongst all of these different groupings, I’d come to realize that my favorites were the mysteries.
Far be it for me to not enjoy all the genres—for I do—but there is just something about this particular assemblage; these characters whose stories I am invited into—the individuals who always are put up against seemingly insurmountable problems which need to be solved.
Of course these mysteries are not without clues the author has left the reader with; in fact, these stories are literally riddled with them all throughout the chapters. It is these pages I eagerly read through, looking for the hints which will help me to figure out just what is going on; many times before the characters themselves know.
The mysteries are wonderful. Frustrating? Yes. But I find myself caught up in the story being told; those parts which are sad, the storms which must be endured, and the sunny days of little victories which make the reader long for more.
I’ve read many of these mysteries over the past nine years, but for each of these manuscripts I’ve read, I have never read the ending of any of them.
Not even one.
It’s been impossible, for each of these books was unfinished at the time—incomplete—a partial account which was still in the process of being authored.
As I look up at my bookshelf, now containing hundreds of volumes, I smile; remembering some of my favorite adventures. Every now and again, one of those old novels again comes to life when someone from years before walks through that classroom door. I find myself grateful that I had been included in a chapter or two of these unfinished chronicles.
This year, I add 24 new titles to my bookcase…
And every one of them is a mystery.
image garnered from: http://condalmo.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/infinity.jpg
8 comments:
Your bookcase does have some great mysteries - and an amazing cast of characters!
I love that picture, by the way. And yes, I also love a good book. I need to make more time for reading them again.
"Mysteries" are the best, for sure! How lucky for you to have 24 new ones to figure out. If you happen to crack one in particular let me know. I would be very interested. Beware- just when you think you have them figured out, they always throw in a good plot twist. Just gotta keep us guessing!
Great post!
Hum, I've had some that weren't mysteries, more like a horror book gone bad, like in Goosebumps...But I wouldn't have change 'reading' them for the world. Guess that's why I'm good at what I do....
Linn - I could give you their names, but a teacher isn't supposed to have favorites...
Gerb - You sure said it; some of those characters sure do have a LOT of character! I love it when some of those characters come back again.
R&A - That particular little mystery is giving me a lot of opportunities to figure him out--that is with all of the chances I have to do all of this additional reading. It seems that he is around quite often; which I absolutely love.
Bonnie - There are all types which fill that bookshelf, to be true. Some of the hardest are those horror novels, then again...there are the realistic fiction which can be a challenge as well.
But for some reason, I just love them...
I love the way you played with words in this post, it was not until I read these lines that I truly understood "It’s been impossible, for each of these books was unfinished at the time—incomplete—a partial account which was still in the process of being authored." Well done TF well done.
And how they cherish that year on your bookshelf. As always, it's refreshing to catch a glimpse of the world through your eyes. I hope there are some well-placed lulls in those nail-biting mysteries:)
DV - Thanks for stopping by; there are some truly good books out there.
Laura - It's strange that for me, the books stay...or at least the memory of the stories within them; it is always refreshing when I get updated on the new chapters--sometimes years later.
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