: Re: What Can Ensure Re-Readability? I've come across some answers and questions on this site which have gotten me thinking about re-readability. It isn't something that I think about much, but now

@Carla500

Vote Up Vote Down

Sentences that scan very well. (Very easy to read but does not mean a simple story) The scenes must play out on the "movie-screen of my mind". I am no longer reading, but instead watching the action unfold before me.
An extremely detailed plot layers of plot which make the reader think about what is going on at the character level (how it effects characters involved) and how it impacts the over all story. I mention this as detailed because I'm thinking about books I would want to read again. I might want to read a book again because the plot is so interesting that I want to "look" at it again.
likable characters (I do not like to watch shows with characters I don't like (unless they are the protagonists) and I definitely don't want to invest time in a story if I don't like the characters I'm reading about.
Characters who change and transform as the story plays out

That's pretty much it. If you were to actually write your book with all of those, I'm sure that no matter what the genre you would have a best seller.

Yes, More Details

Of course we could go into more detail, but get these as the foundation of your novel and you win.

Edit

I've come back to give some real examples of books I've read that meet the list above and are definitely books I'd like to read again (and have read more than once already.

The Chocolate War (Robert Cormier) This book is so memorable and such fantastic writing and great characters.
The Outsiders (S. E. Hinton) Another fantastic and memorable book
The Partner (John Grisham) I don't like all Grisham books but this one moves fast has great characters and smooth writing.
The Old Man & the Sea (Ernest Hemingway) One of my most disliked books of all time is by Hemingway, but this is one of the most memorable books I've read.
The Pigman (Paul Zindel) Odd and memorable with a great meaningful plot and great characters

If you haven't read those books, read them all immediately.

(0)

Login to post a comment!