How involved into the book do you get?

When you finish that last page, do you simply close the covers of the book, sigh because it’s finished and go on to the next one?

Or are you a more involved reader? Do you follow the writer’s blogs (thanks for reading!)? Do you rush to write a review or make a recommendation on the site where you purchased the book? Do you belong to a book club where you can meet with other readers and devolve further into the writer’s words, finding hidden meaning? Maybe you do more research on the subject matter of the book if it has sparked an interest? Do you find possible avenues the story line might have taken that other readers might  miss?

As a writer, we certainly hope you would write reviews and tell your friends about a good book you’ve read. If a spark of interest in a new topic develops for you, then that is a bonus. If we’ve helped you lose yourself in our story, then that spells success.

But as a reader, I value the word of another reader more than I do over fancy blurbs and sales pitches. Nothing means more to me as a reader than to hear somebody tell me how excited they were to finish the book, to gush about how romantic it might be. There might be an involuntary shiver if the story was spooky or horrible enough to mesmerize interest, like an accident you can’t look away from, no matter how hard you try.

When a book is so good that other people are talking about it it’s amazing. Re-hashing key points, and new items are brought up to other people’s attention. Details are examined, details the author may not  even realize would be so important to a reader.

When I’m finished with the book, it’s important to me  it doesn’t just sit on a bookshelf, unless it’s good and I know I will read it repeatedly. No, if it was one I  enjoyed, I want to pass it along to other readers to enjoy. It doesn’t matter if I distribute the book through used bookstore, at my county library, or at the community book deposit. Not everyone can afford the price of a new book. Sometimes even a used book could be out of reach. But everybody should have the opportunity to read-when they want and what they want.

Being able to share a good book with somebody you know who will enjoy it gives you a special satisfaction and you can’t wait to find out what they thought when they finish.

So, readers, share those books, share your thoughts, and share your opinions good or bad. The more book is talked about the more exposure it will get and more other readers will want to pick it up for themselves.

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