Very rarely there comes along a certain book that will transcend its genre or classification. Some of these classifications, for example, are literature, science fiction and fantasy, romance, biography, art, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, etc. What is so special about these books is that they find a following that is almost fanatical from a wide spectrum of readers. This spectrum that is encompassed has a demographic that is almost impossible to see, read, or predict because of the absolute diversity that exists.
Some examples of titles published in the last hundred years that would fall into this category are The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien, the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, The Century by Peter Jennings, The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, among others. Some very famous works that have transcended time and genre are the writings of Shakespeare, most notably Romeo and Juliet, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman, and the books Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
What is it about these books that make them so remarkable? Why are they so respected, loved and widely read? What is it that makes a book one that almost anyone on the street has at lease heard of, if not read? Is it publicity? Could it be that a movie was made off if this book. Or, is it that one was made to read it in school? Sure, some of these are a factor I am sure, but they are not the soul reason for the mass popularity that these works entertain.
Most of these works, in some form or another have touched on the very lives of their readers. In some significant way we, as the readers, have been able to relate to these books. In these wonderful collections of words we find a better life that we can have, we find hope and understanding for difficulties that arise, we find humor in the mundane. In short, in these works we find our escape from reality while still maintaining a relationship with our experiences. In reading these books, we gain something that we can apply to our lives to better ourselves.
Let's take The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien for example. In this work that was written in the early to mid 1900's we are taken to another world, that while is a work of fiction and does not exist, touches in some ways on what our world once was. With the lives led by its characters from Hobbit and Dwarf, to Elf or Man, the single pursuit of the characters is to live in peace and plenty; to co-exist with each other to the betterment of the world. But, while trying to overcome the natural affinity of intelligent races to be supreme and suppress those viewed as inferior, all are brought together to overcome a great evil. Yes, this evil is supernatural in its manifestation. Yes, there are things that can and never happen in the real world. But, besides these great inventions of the author, there is a simple moral to follow. To overcome adversity and those of evil intent, if we, as a whole come together in harmony and need, anything can be accomplished. There is also another moral to this story as well, that the weak and seemingly unremarkable can, if the need arises, be the "spark" that will ignite the fire of the many and strong. That these very little players can, rise to the call and lead and inspire where others would just turn and run. In short, never judge a book by its cover for what you find inside might just surprise you. Now, take into account that this story was written at the time of World War II and the story takes on even a deeper meaning.
Look and you will find wonderful works that exist that you never knew were there before. Encourage your children to read, read to them if they are too young to do so themselves. Take them away from the T.V. or their video games. Open their minds to a bigger and more wonderful world. Open your mind to the real meaning of life, to live and grow as much as possible. When you are next at the library or in a bookstore, stop and look in a section that you normally wouldn't. You might just be surprised at what you find. Ask a friend, a relative, or even a perfect stranger about one of the most memorable books they have read. Recommend one to them. The path to understanding and peace can be found in common interest, and where better to find this interest than in a good book.
