On the walk home from the library today I was thinking about my favorite books and by what criteria I should judge books by in order to ascertain which ones would earn the label of “favorite.” The conclusion I came to would be whether or not the book brought me to tears. Not just to tears, but really made me weep. Now if every book I read led me to that emotional state, then that would not be stringent enough of a standard, but that is not the case with me. I quickly recalled which books I’ve read as an adult that have caused me to weep. The three are Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, The Chosen by Chaim Potok, and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (that is the order that I read them as well). Not only do I remember at which point in the book that I wept, but I also remember the location where I was when I wept. I find that interesting that I remember those particular details so vividly. I guess it goes to show that I value weeping and I do. Since knowing God, I have been able to reconnect more and more with my emotions after having felt “shut down” for a long time. For this, I am always grateful for a good cry.
But what does it testify about the book that it led me to weep? It is a testament to the author that he or she crafted characters that the reader really grew to care about and identify with on an intense, involved level. Maybe the reader could relate to an experience or emotion that a character was enduring, or maybe the reader admired who the character was and was thus able to grieve with them, as a friend would. These three books have left me feeling more human and more alive as I witnessed the characters experiencing the commonalities of the human experience like death, loss, and relational conflict.
Which books are your favorite? Which books have made you weep?
By the way, I picked up Dred by Harriet Beecher Stowe and My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok today.
