“Listen to the
fragrance.”
This line from a poem inscribed in the Lan Su garden has
haunted me since I read and blogged about it a year ago (Overheard at... Art in the Pearl).
I love the idea that our senses can be used to understand what is beyond our
traditional comprehension. As Romancing the Genres plunges into the heat of August,
we bring with us a focus on reader resources, spotlighting guest bloggers on
the topics or book reviews, book clubs, and libraries. More than the blogs
themselves, I am looking forward to hearing comments from our readers (wink,
wink… that would be you!) about which resources they use to help them choose
books.
Obviously dedicated readers know all about Goodreads and are
probably well trained in how to use the Amazon system to narrow down their
favorite picks. My husband is a pro, for example at searching Amazon for new books
coming out by his favorite authors and then saving them to his wishlist or
getting on the waiting list for when they are available at the library.
But when I look back, it seems like my favorite books have
found me. I have been riding on a train and seen a cover that struck me, or
been searching for one book and found something entirely different that called
out to me. Like the moment when we ‘listen to a fragrance,’ sensing the
presence of a great book is sometimes so unconscious I am not even sure most of
us could articulate why or how it
happened. All we know is that we walked into Barnes and Noble prepared to buy The Hunger Games (because, of course, we
saw it mentioned on some great blog or something;>) and walked out with a
copy of love poems.
And if sometimes that relationship, like many, deceives us
and we sell the book back to Powells for a pittance, well, so be it. Because the
very best reader resource I know is our own open mind and our willingness to
try.
By Genre-ista: Deanne Wilsted
Author of BETTING JESSICA and UNTANGLING THE KNOT
@dwilsted
3 comments:
Great post, Deanne!
Loved this post! I have indeed found great books by 'listening to the fragrance.' Perhaps it has something to do with intentions and synchronicities, or intuition, or plain old luck. Whatever it is, having an open mind and a willingness to try something new is essential for taking advantage - as you said.
I've found some 'keeper' books by trying a debut author or someone new to me. I found several when I went on a buying binge when Borders closed and had the final days sales. I've read something someone has recommended and realized I did like the story even though the cover had been a turnoff.
And, when I've read the book two or more times, I know there is a special connection between the story/characters and me. You are right in saying our open mind and our willingness to try new authors and new genres is a powerful reader resource.
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