Re-readability

A group of other writers and I were sitting around jawing, as we often do, about writing and publishing and just storytelling in general. Our topics are usually wide ranging and can sometimes include TV, movies, and videos games, too. Recently the topic came up about what makes a book re-readable. We each had different thoughts on the topic. Here are mine.

First, it probably goes without saying that the term we awkwardly coined – re-readability – means a book that readers keep, cherish, and re-read more than once. For me it could be anything from the James Bond series to The Lord of the Rings, from Pride and Prejudice to Dune. You no doubt have your own so you definitely know what I’m talking about.

So what is it that makes my favorite books re-readable? It differs, of course, but I will try to congeal concepts together rather than address books or series on a case-by-case basis, which could probably fill an entire semester of lectures.

Style – First, of course, is the writer’s style. Do I just enjoy the way they write, the way they address characters and plot-points, the language they use and their turn of phrase? For me, I enjoy anything from very spare and terse (Elmore Leonard) to dense and lyrical (Tolkien), but for re-readability I prefer the latter.

I prefer a writing style that doesn’t insult my intelligence, that trusts me to follow certain concepts and ideas without over-explaining them.

Many people don’t like overly granular or slow-paced writing, whereas I don’t mind it. My favorite books don’t rush a narrative, my most cherished stories are richly detailed and delve deep into every aspect of a plot, exploring not just events but the ripple-effect of those into other threads that may not necessarily be plot-related but are nonetheless fascinating to me.

Plot – I like a complex plot, one with multiple threads and many moving parts, where each thread doesn’t necessarily move in lock-step with the others, and complications caused inter-tangling of those threads.

Engagement – I have to like the book. This seems rather general, but it is important. Engagement involves a story that I like and enjoy to read, but also: characters I find interesting; heroes, if there are any (and there don’t have to be) that I can identify with; villains, if there are any, that I enjoy hating; plot twists that make me laugh, gasp, or cringe; etc.

This is important. I once threw a book across the room (it was reflex, I swear I didn’t know I was going to do it until I did) because despite my attempts to keep reading I just hated the story and the way the author was developing it. There are other books I’ve hated where the characters reacted in inexplicable ways and whose action were contrary to their established motives, etc.

Satisfactory Ending – Others will not agree, and that’s fine, but for me I have to feel satisfied at the end. That doesn’t mean it has to have a happy ending – though truth to tell I do prefer those – but even though closure is a myth in real life, I want it from the stories in which in invest my time. I want plot threads tied up. I want a sense of what life will be like for the characters going forward after the story ends. I want a reason to hope, and a reason to go back and inflict this story on myself again and again.

There are more bullet points but this article is already getting long. My main purpose in writing it is because I am really interested in what you think, reader. What are the things that make a book re-readable to you? I’d love to read your comments, below.