During my teen years, my mom once walked past the bathroom as I stood in front of the sink engrossed in a book. She shook her head and said “It must be a good book when you can’t even put it down to brush your teeth.” I mmm-hmmed with a mouthful of toothpaste and went about my reading. My teeth had probably never seen such a scrubbing. That was the sign of a great book. I couldn’t even put it down for the two minutes it took me to brush my teeth. I’ve stopped reading when I scour my pearly-whites, but there are many other hints I’m reading a fabulous book – other than the words themselves.
I want to know how you can tell when you’re in the grip of a great book? Post below, or hashtag it on Facebook or Twitter with #goodbookwhen and I’ll find your responses!
For me, I know I’m reading #goodbookwhen:
- I actually look forward to my morning commute.
- I forget to eat.
- I eat cheese and crackers or oatmeal for dinner.
- I zoom past my stop on the subway.
- Someone asks me what I’m reading and I get cranky at a potential conversation…about books! True story.
- I actually look forward to my morning commute.
- Even the sweaty, smelly, elbow and briefcase jabbing commuters don’t bother me.
- I crave a subway situation to prolong my page flipping.
- I am desperate for a relaxing bath but won’t take one because the book I’m reading is on my iPad.
- It is one of the last things I put down at night and the first things I think about in the morning.
- I’d pick the book over shopping…for shoes.
- I fib and say I have an appointment so I can read on my lunch instead of socialize.
- I find myself avoiding reading or reading slowly so it won’t end.
- I re-read sentences and marvel at the writing.
- I think about it for days, months, years after I’ve finished.
- It changes my life.
Lydia Laceby 