Do you have at least one bookcase filled with books with which you couldn’t bear to part? Books that are keepers in every sense? I’ve mysteries, romances, historicals, erotica, women’s fiction, medical suspenses, literary classics, etc. But one of the books I read this past fall definitely earned an alphabetized spot in my master bookcase. CAN’T WAIT TO GET TO HEAVEN by Fannie Flagg is memorable in every way. Her keen storytelling ability, humorous fictional “voice” and characters made this tale come alive for me and I couldn’t put the book down. I read this novel from cover to cover in one sitting and plan on re-reading it a couple times a year. Elner Shimfissel ranks right up there with the most well-written, clearly-defined characters I’ve ever read. Her exploits and insights, as well as those of other characters, will tap your emotions on every page. Fannie has also provided her readers with a stellar cast of secondary characters, each a fictional persona you won’t forget. I remember watching Fannie during her guest panelist days on MATCH GAME. While reading CAN’T WAIT TO GET TO HEAVEN, her authorial “voice” rang loud and clear. This is a skill we authors strive to master and one that puts an author on my auto-buy list. Can’t wait to read Fannie’s next novel.
What about you all? What book do you find memorable and pull from your bookshelf time and again?
Blessings and all the best,
Shawna Moore's Website
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4 comments:
Fantastic post, Shawna!! I have keeper shelves with several books. The top two books that always come to mind when I think of keepers are both by Laura Kinsale, Shadow And The Star & Flowers From The Storm. Both classics now. For me they contain some kind of inexplicable magic that gave me a reader's "high" for days after I finished them. The language is so lyrical, the imagery so beautiful. Incredible emotion. Heroes to die for. Sigh. You're making me want to read one of them again. :-) Of course I have lots of other keepers too, both historical and contemporary romance. It is always the voice combined with the characters that make me fall in love with them I think. I agree with you on that one. :-)
Hi, Vonda!
Thanks for sharing what makes books memorable for you :) Both Laura Kinsale novels you mentioned are on my keeper shelves :) Shining examples :)
Wishing you a fantastic week!
Shawna
This is a great topic, Shawna. I don't know where to begin. lol Character is what drives a book for me. Sooooo, Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER. I was so into Jamie & Claire's story that I actually cried. Guy Gavriel Kay's THE FIONAVAR TAPESTRY, particularly THE SUMMER TREE. I'd read Tolkien's LORD OF THE RINGS series five times before it was ever film. Julie Garwood's SAVING GRACE. Any other author/book that can move me to tears will be on the keeper shelf! Thanks for reminding me.
Much cheer.
Hi, Elen!
I'm like you--characters and emotion are important. If those elements come alive on the print or e-page, I'll likely be adding that book to my keeper shelf and the author to my auto-buy list :) Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a great rest of the week :)
Shawna
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