The Siren's Call: Sometimes You Just Know

There I am, browsing shelves pouring with all sorts of books. Hardcover, paperback, loved, new, all with their own appeal, all humming with energy. "Pick me, pick me", I seem to hear as I explore the shelf, reading the author and the title of the book silently to myself.

It's my normal process for determining what book to read. I look, and consider, and drink it all in. 

Sometimes, there's a tug. It's like my mind focuses not on the whole, but on that one book that is being highlighted. Call it intuition, call it kismet, whatever you call it, I pick this book that somehow is not begging for me to read it, it is demanding my attention. I don't know how, but I know I am meant to read this book, and I will enjoy it. 

I suppose I could read the synopsis, but often it just reaffirms what I already knew: this is a big that's part of a special company: books that are MINE. They appeal to me. They are what I look for in literature. They will enthrall, and enchant. They will break hearts, and make me believe that I am capable of anything. 

I just know somehow, when holding certain books, that they are something special. And holding the book, then reading it, savouring every word, it's right to me. Sometimes, the world is all wrong, but books, like these, make it completely right. 

I can't know if anyone else feels like this. I am one of the most analytic people you shall meet, but there are some things where it's just about feeling and trusting what you feel. I do have and express my more impulsive, spontaneous desires. I can't recall ever having been lead wrong by this, whatever you want to call it, but I'll call it siren's call. Because when you know, you just know. 

Here's some of the books that called to me. 


I can't make this a fairy tale: it's possible I've felt the call and I could have been disappointed by the book. I can't remember that situation. It's something I'm not going to analyze, I'm just going to be thankful that it's possible to find incredible books when you least expect it. 

Have you felt the siren's call?

-P.E.

10 comments:

  1. I'm definitely a highly analytical person, like you, P.E. I totally see where you're coming from, with this post! Enthrall and enchant... Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea definitely called to me... and I loved it. Same with Red Rising, though not the same, since I haven't read it yet. But I have it. Interesting and excellent post, P.E.!

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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    1. I figure most bloggers do have some sort of analytical mindset because we do analyze books as a hobby.

      I hope you do enjoy Red Rising. I'm a huge fan of it!

      -P.E

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  2. I'm not sure if it's exactly the same, but sometimes I just feel like I have to read a certain book, because that's exactly the one I'm in the mood for at the time!

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    1. I think it's similar, if not the same thing. Like, I just read The 5th Wave, a book Mari knows I've been coveting for a while, and predictably, I enjoyed it. :)

      -P.E.

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  3. It definitely happens sometimes! It happened to me for Half Bad :D (but that was also because the Penguin publicity rep pitched it really well at a meetup haha)
    Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea called me in a way- because dat cover- but I'm not sure I'd go so far to call that one a siren's call (and indeed, I didn't really enjoy that one so much...)

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    1. I think Half Bad is going to be an incredible read. I think that one qualifies! Also, LOVE Between's cover. I don't like the sequel's cover as much though... I did enjoy Between though, so I guess the call isn't foolproof.

      -P.E.

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  4. I do feel drawn to certain books. Many times I do end up loving them, but when I feel drawn to a book and don't love it, it feels about 1000 times more disappointing.
    Fun topic!
    Jen @ YA Romantics

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    1. I know what you mean. Now that I think about it, I felt that way about Daughter of Smoke and Bone and I was so bored with the story, and it was pretty much a tragedy in my view that it didn't work out for me.

      -P.E.

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  5. Hm, you seem to have a certain thing for dark, moody covers, often with red accents... ;P

    Of course HYPERBOLE breaks the mold. But it does that in every way!

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    1. LOL, that's my type. Favourite colour (red) and high contrast, which usually involved black for me.

      I think what I liked about Hyperbole was looking at the gorgeous glossy pages. The "synopsis" was also pretty great. ;)

      -P.E.

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