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Smiling Shelves

Books I Love Because of Their Atmosphere

4/13/2017

6 Comments

 
There are many different reasons to love books. Maybe they have a twisty-turny plot that you just can't put down. Maybe they have characters that seem so real that they could live next door to you. Maybe the book is about a fascinating topic that you've always wanted to learn about. Maybe it touches you profoundly.

Or maybe the book has created a world that is special and unique and so well-described that you feel as if you're living in it long after you have set the book down. I've discovered that books with this sort of "atmosphere" turn out to be some of my favorites, books that stick with me for years after I've read them.

The Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling

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The Harry Potter series is the most obvious choice here. My head stays at Hogwarts long after I've finished reading the book. Even the movies don't have the same effect for me. I'm only fully living in the world when I'm reading the books.

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

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The Night Circus​ was a book that I read and then immediately bought my own copy. I have yet to reread it, but every once in a while, my mind wanders into that world. More than the characters or the plot, the atmosphere was what made this a five-star read for me.

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

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I've recently developed an interest in reading books set in Asia (although I still don't do nearly enough of that). I can trace that interest directly to Memoirs of a Geisha. Every time I had to put this book down while I was reading it, my brain felt foggy for a few minutes until I could reorient myself to real life.

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

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I have read this book at least four times, which is quite the commitment, considering it's more than 800 pages long. But I just love this magical Victorian alternate world that Susanna Clarke created and brought to life so well. The outside world ceases to exist while I'm traveling through the pages of this book.

6 Comments
Monica link
4/13/2017 10:18:44 am

I think the reason you loved Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is the exact reason I hated it! I have a hard time envisioning book settings, so I'm wary of reading books that are described as "atmospheric." For me it's all about the plot and the characters. Thanks for sharing this list--I love seeing how others approach reading differently than I do!

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
4/13/2017 10:20:56 am

That's really interesting. I love a good plot and great characters, too, but I guess I don't need to have that in every book. Sometimes the atmosphere is more important than what's actually happening in the book to me. I guess that's why there are so many great books out there that are so different from each other - because there are so many readers out there that are different from each other! :)

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Lark link
4/13/2017 03:46:40 pm

I agree with you about the setting and atmosphere of these particualr books...especially Harry Potter and The Night Circus. I want to spend the day browsing in Diagon Alley, and the night enjoying the beautiful and strange exhibits in Morgenstern's magical circus. Great post! :)

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
4/15/2017 04:15:41 pm

Oh, my goodness, that would be the best 24 hours ever!

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Christine @Buckling Bookshelves link
4/16/2017 02:30:08 pm

I also favor books with atmosphere, but characters that feel real as well -- books like Harry Potter have both!

Reply
Julie @ Smiling Shelves link
4/23/2017 09:32:36 pm

Absolutely. That must be why I like Harry Potter so much! :)

Reply



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    My name is Julie, and I own a lot of books. As in, they are stacked on the floor because I've run out of room on the shelves. And those shelves? There are so many books on them that they smile -- not sag; smile. This blog will cover book reviews and all manner of other bookish things.

    You can contact me at julie@smilingshelves.com.

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