I've lived and visited a lot of places in my life. I grew up in Missouri and can tell you about minute differences you'll find from the Boot Heel to the Rural Centers and the Cities. I've lived in Nebraska and Ohio and can probably answer a lot of trivia about both. Have visited Colorado, Florida, Texas and Louisiana. Grand Cayman, Belize, Honduras, Mexico (three times), Jamaica. Every place I've visited has left some kind of imprint on my life, from admiring a Jamaican sunset over the Caribbean to the out-of-breath feeling of being in Denver's lighter air.
But some of the best places I go are seen from my couch or bed or my zero gravity chair on our deck.
Because every time I open a book I take a journey. I might visit somewhere familiar like Missouri or Iowa or could be swept away to the Middle East or even China. Some of my favorite places to go are Nora Roberts' paranormal worlds (from the light-paranormal of her Key trilogy to the full on vampires in the Circle Trilogy). I don't think I'll ever tire of Jill Shalvis' beach-themed small towns. Nan's River Walk is a newer favorite, and I will never turn down a peek inside Liz's Peacock, TN world. I have fond memories of Janet Evanovich's Jersey from the Stephanie Plum books, even though I haven't read any since, oh, about number nine.
I guess part of my reader catnip is a setting that becomes very much a character within the book.
We talk a lot about character making the story here at WordWranglers (funny how we all think alike!), and I truly think character can make or break a story. But I also live for those moments, as a reader, when an author's voice paints a picture of where the action is happening. I love it when I'm not just reading about a hot, desert wind, but can feel that wind on my face. When the cold of a December snow freezes my toes on a hot summer day in Ohio. Or when the rain over New York City seems like it's just out of the reach of my fingers. Those moments are when I get to visit someplace that I've never seen in my life...but I can still feel like I've been there.
Does reading take you places, too? What's your favorite reading spot?
Reading DOES take me places, and what a blessing it is these days! Great post, Kristi!
ReplyDeletethanks, Liz!
DeleteLovely post, Kristi! And yes, you can't ever say enough about how reading takes us on once-in-lifetime journeys! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteOh, and to answer your question. Paris...always Paris! And I'll ready just about anywhere... but I do love reading on the deck at the lake with a cool breeze and the scent of the lake...
ReplyDeletethere is just something about a balmy day and a book, isn't there?
DeleteI love entering a world that the author has created for me. Nora Roberts is particularly good at that. My favorite place to read? In bed, outside on the deck, in the car. Lots of places!
ReplyDeleteI'll be honest, it would be easier to make a 'places i hate to read' list. lol
DeleteYour author's voice just took us all there for a brief moment. Thank you for reminding me about the sunsets over the Caribbean. My husband and I visited Jamaica on our honeymoon, and you took me back there for a sweet moment's memory.
ReplyDelete