Choosing a new book to read is like opening the gates to a whole new adventure. Each of us has a way of going at it. For some it’s the cover, made with a beautiful image depicting the heart of the story. It can be the color of the paper, how the turned pages sound, the fonts and so many other things.
For me it’s all about the first page of the book. Each time I go through a library I like to discover how the stories begin. To me, what the author wrote on the very first page is the best tip of whether the new book will be a keeper, worth perusing and re-reading over time.
The author’s thoughts and the message sent in the beginning can give a glimpse of the writing style and help you discover if it’s a funny, witty, romantic or abstract way of telling things. How the words flow together is a good indication if you can follow the story or it will just get abandoned in the middle.
I generally avoid reading the summary on the back, as it seems so much of a spoiler. Looking only at a page keeps me guessing and if the introductory paragraphs spark my interest the story is very likely to keep me hooked.
Whimsical, intriguing, cinematic or just messy word combinations that evoke vivid images while reading 3 or 4 phrases are keepers for me. After the written story itself, I attach the highest value to words that bring images. I like to see the story, not just the words on the paper.
When I can picture the setting or turn the features of a character in my mind it makes it worthwhile to remember. Small details opening up the story create light and tone which shape soft layers around the edges of each chapter sparking the imagination to create a new world around the writer’s pen.
A great first chapter gives insight and invites you to stay and look closely at what happens. The story becomes a part of you but, of course, you can’t stay there forever. Intertwined stories from all the books you choose over time compact feelings, impressions, faces and expressions which change as your journey changes but always reflect what resonates with you.
