December 17, 2009
The Moments That Get You
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve lost myself in books. My friends were between the pages of a book instead of ones I played outside with. Being an only child, that’s probably not surprising – we tend to be extreme loners by nature. What I noticed then, and to this day still notice, is there are things inside of those pages that hit me where it counts. It’s never the same thing that does it either.
I refer to these as *guh* moments.
Not every book has them either and for everyone, those moments are different. What really hooks one person someone else just breezes by. It can be something a character said or did to another character, a plot twist that takes you by surprise or even a gorgeous description of the scenery. Most importantly – those moments are just something that sticks with you after you’ve read it and long since put the book away to move on to the next. Perhaps, even years later, you remember it and feel some emotional reaction to it.
There have been recent ones, but one that still stands out to me to this day, happened when I read the last part of My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I won’t discuss it, because it’s a huge spolier and would ruin the book completely (the movie ending was changed from the book) but I read the book back in 2005 when I was home sick with the flu. I literally sat up in the bed with my mouth hanging open and couldn’t believe what just happened.
I asked some friends what their moments were and one replied Consider Phleba by Iain Banks, simply for the last line. Another person’s was coming across unexpected “tie me up moments” in a historical romance (though personally, any scene that leaves you with a *guh* moment and flaming panties is a huge plus).
So, tell me, what are some of your *guh* moments?
Sara
Filed under: SExpressions
6 Comments
December 17th, 2009 at 7:00 am
So many moments, Sara. You’re right. When I hit a book with one of those, omg the book is for sure a keeper.
I can think of one right away that always makes me smile and then I go back and reread the book.
It’s in one of Patricia Briggs’ early fantasy sci-fi, The Hobb’s Bargain.
How Briggs can make a strange creature and a farm girl have a romance, and show you his wooing along the way, makes for pure beauty.
Thanks for reminding me of the above. I’ll curl up shortly with my stack of btbr and this will be added to the pile.
Happy Holidays!
gem
December 17th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Great blog, Sara. I’ve been working on taxes this morning, so I can’t think of any right now. Reading IRS tax changes pretty much turns my brain to mush, but trying to remember something to add here certainly took my mind away from work for a little bit.
Michelle
December 17th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Sara…I can remember my OMG slap to the head so vividly. The Story of O, when O is being taken to the training place. She sits bare as**ed on the car seat next to Renee relishing the feel of the leather beneath her. I knew at that moment (I was 17) that women had a kindered spirit for the erotic and I wasn’t alone in my fetish for the ultra sensual. Have a great holiday!
Pauline
December 17th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Gem – Patricia Briggs has many *guh* moments that I always love.
Michelle – Glad I could give a break from taxes!
Pauline – It’s been years since I read that one, but yes, certainly a *guh* moment!
December 18th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Pauline, I love that moment in the Story of O too. Sara, great post! My biggest “guh” moments came while reading the Chronicles of Narnia … my sister and I actually went hunting for a door to Narnia!
And wait … is it tax season?
December 18th, 2009 at 5:15 am
The first clear moment I remember was reading The Black Stallion as a kid.