Miranda Alexander

There is one question that never fails to send my mind into a rather fantastic frenzy: “What is your favorite book?”.  Naturally this would seem to be a simple enough question to answer without diving into a deep ocean of quotes and titles.  However, for a devoted bookworm, such as myself, it is nearly impossible to settle on a single work.  To be perfectly transparent, I do not have the slightest clue as to the number of books I have read in my life up to this point.  I can also assure you that I do not know the exact amount of books I own, though I do believe I have well over two hundred.

While this number may prove to be rather extreme to some of you, I find myself unable to deny my shelves of new books or even part with the old ones.  Yes, I am a book hoarder and I regret nothing.  How do I decide which novel(s) to add to my ever growing library?  I seek out books based upon my tastes and preferences.  Of course, I am sure other bibliophiles use the same or similar method in the bookstore.  When we stake our claim on a novel under the influence of our interests, we are scribbling another title and author onto our personal literary canons. 

What is a literary canon?  It is a term which refers to a body of novels and other texts considered to be of great importance and value to a certain time or place.  This concept has been used and handed down for ages and it is purely based on an individual’s opinion.  We all possess different interests, so we are bound to be drawn to various styles and genres.  That being said, we can also infer that not everyone has the same literary canon.

My literary canon, for example, is comprised of the following genres: fantasy, mystery, crime, and historical romance.  While I do enjoy more recent novels, I must say that I have an admiration for the renowned classics as well.  My bookshelves are diverse, their contents range from William Shakespeare to Stephen King.  It is not uncommon to find me sipping a cup of Earl Grey and swooning over a copy of Macbeth or Romeo & Juliet.  Though a fair number of my peers question my sanity upon discovering my love for Shakespeare, I find his work to be inspiring.

Inspiration is another factor I take into consideration when it comes to adding a book to my literary canon.  If a novel or poem ignites ideas or creative thoughts within my imagination, then that work becomes a part of me.  Another quality that makes a book remarkable is the impact it has on my emotions.  As a reader, I want to be able to put myself in the the shoes of the protagonist and connect with their personality and feelings.  So, if my heartstrings are tugged and I am moved to tears, I will likely reread the work.     

A personal literary canon is not only necessary but vital to the mind of a reader.  It is our interests and opinions that lure us to a certain title and author.  Whether you delight in murder mysteries or modern romances, it is your quirks and enthusiasms that play a major role in your reading experience.