From Deseret News archives:
2003 was a very good year for books
Admittedly, there are books that I complain about. But almost every day I get excited about two or three new books written on fascinating topics by exceptional literary talents.
I know that everyone has varied tastes in reading material. Some people don't like to read books at all. But I get a curious exhilaration from a good book and when I finish it, I need to quickly get into another.
I used to read history and biography almost exclusively, but now I get genuine enjoyment from high-quality novels. I like to find a book that grabs my interest early on and holds it. Even though I know I forget much of what I read, I think I have learned important things by reading books of great variety.
A vocal contingent was not happy about a special National Book Award going to popular horror-writer Stephen King. But a lot of people enjoy reading his novels, as well as the dependable annual works of John Grisham, Janet Evanovich and Tom Clancy.
Others believe it's a giant leap from those often predictable mysteries to the more literary, upscale writing of John Updike, Louis Begley or Tobias Wolff.
But we all have different interests, so we should probably read what we like to read, books we enjoy books that make us think or books that just make us happy.
That said, this has been an enormously successful year for the writing and reading of books.
Another "Harry Potter" novel was published ("The Order of the Phoenix"), with J. K. Rowling playing an important role in making children's books more attractive. Last year, it became a mark of prestige to have read a "Harry Potter" book even for adults.
Locally, Shannon Hale wrote a wonderful book for young people, "The Goose Girl," published and recognized nationally. We will hear more from this talented writer in 2004.
Comments
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357 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
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180 - Senators want food tax restored
164 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
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106
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