Nothing in a book immerses me more (besides the characters;-)) than the setting. If the places come alive... like literally jump off the page at me, then I'm transported, and nothing, and I mean nothing, can rip me away from reading. Fatigue, chores, food... none of it.
Okay, maybe sickness, but you get the gist.
An immersive book is one that is a steady companion and one to return to over and over again.
For me, that's a 1950s diner.
Ever since watching Grease, (sigh) I fell in love. Whenever I'd see an old-fashioned diner growing up, my heart sped up in anticipation, and I'd peek through the windows just to get a glimpse while on my way somewhere (we're always busy these days it seems).
I remember one time when I was seventeen in Steamboat Springs, Colorado (gorgeous place btw), and my family passed this store. It had been an old-fashioned pharmacy with the ice cream counter, and I begged my parents to go inside (didn't have to beg though because they're into it just as much as I am).
Anyway, we walked inside, and there were loads of gifts because it had been turned into a gift shop, but the counter was still there where I think they still served drinks. Gosh, I took it all in. Breathed it down to the last minute detail, imagining the people from years gone by in their bobby socks and skirts or jeans and t-shirts with the slicked back hair.
I'll never forget it. Never. It was magical, and that's what books are for me these days since the old diners are fading away, making room for newer, shinier objects (newer isn't always better).
*sigh*
But, wow, they were freaking magical. Like flying unicorns and candy rainbows kind of magical.
And you know what else is magical? You know what else hooks from the beginning and transports you to a different time or place?
Yep... books.
If you're into murder, crime, noir, romance, fantasy... there are books for YOU. We can all be picky and find the right books for us, and what's better is that we get to read those books until the bindings fall apart (or ebook devices stop working), but then we pick up another copy and read away, leaving whatever worries we have on the back burner so we can live yet another life within this lifetime.
Yes, this is mushy. Yes, it can sound silly, but I really don't care. Books are what make us human. They're one of the ways that separate us from other mammals. We imagine, and we feel, and we search (sometimes for long periods) for that specific book that takes our breathes away and leaves us wanting more.
And who says magic doesn't exist? Poppycock!
They are our friends, they are our lifeline, they are our teachers, and they are our safe space. As an author, I don't take this lightly. And I suspect you don't either...
For all book lovers out there (or diner lovers too), what's your favorite genre flavor? Mystery? SciFi? Romance? A combo? I want to know. Comment or send me a direct email at kduptonauthor@gmail.com.
So, that's just a random thought I had to share today. If it spoke to you, then great! Hope all is well.
Oh, and as for diners, I just had to put one in the Kaitlynn Dahl series. It's nostalgia for me (even though I wasn't alive during the 1950s). They lived and breathed, and they're lovely to see. If you get a chance to see a true 1950s diner, then wow. They don't really exist where I live. Hats off to you!
Until next time...
Happy reading,
KD
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