“You can only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” — Mae West
The other day, I came across this fortune in a fortune cookie. You know what I mean, the little cookie you get with Chinese food that has those brief messages.
When I looked up this sentence, it turns out that Mae West is credited with the quote. Interesting.
However, for this article, I will stick with the fortune cookie aspect of the sentiment.
In Bed
I usually add the phrase ‘in bed’ to the fortune, and most times, it improves the meaning and flair of the fortune. I love the randy sentiment the addition implies. Back in the late 80s, I learned to add the phrase when I first moved to this town. My coworkers and I would go out to lunch regularly. It was during one of these lunches I heard the phrase ‘in bed’ added to a fortune. I loved it and immediately adopted the practice. Most everyone I know either already does it or enjoyed my idiosyncrasy. It’s odd that my live-in girlfriend doesn’t find it cute, but I do it anyway. It’s fun.
However, in this case, I don’t think to add the phrase ‘in bed’ improves the sentiment. Think about it.
My girlfriend and I had chinese food for dinner the other night. I’d like to share with you what my fortune cookie had hidden inside.
“Good books are friends who are always ready to talk to us.”
For the readers out there, I think you will agree. Good or bad, they talk to us, reach into our souls and stimulate emotions. I don’t know about you, but I have conversations with my books. Yes, the books themselves. I talk to them and they respond.
I also have conversations with other readers about books, either mine or someone else’s. We can debate whether it was a good read or a bad read. We can argue about the elements of the characters, the plot or the outcome.
My favorite books are those that I cannot predict where the story is taking me. Not just the ending either. I want to be surprised and jolted all along the way. Just when I think I figured out ‘who done it’ or whether the couple will final get together, the best stories for me those that change direction. By the time the last page is turned, I want the story wrapped up. I want all of the pieces to fit, like a jigsaw puzzle.
So far, from what people tell me, my books fit that criteria. However, I would be interested in what you, the reader of this blog, thinks. Write me. Fill out the comment field below and lay it on me. Tell me whether your favorite books talk to you and what it is about them that makes the book one of your favorites.
Till next time, have a great day and a better tomorrow.
