I have pictures saved to One Drive, so every day I receive my “Look what happened 5 years ago” or however long ago I took the pictures. It’s a fun way to be reminded of what had been going on in my life in the past. Six years ago this week, my husband and I were in Israel. What a trip!
This is a view of the Sea of Galilee.
It’s fun to look back at the pictures and remember the different places we visited. We had an amazing time, and it’s heartbreaking to see what is going on in that part of the world now. When we made that trip my dad had just passed away and it was an emotional time for me all around. Visual memories like pictures evoke emotional memories as well. Don’t you agree?
As readers, we want to experience that, too. The writer’s words can take us places that we can visualize, and often times we are reminded of memories that we have regarding a certain place, situation, or possibly a similar conversation. I know when I read a book, and can relate on different levels, the book will be on my keeper shelf for sure!
Also, there have been times when a certain subject, or situation may hit TOO close to home, right? And I might set that book aside for a little while.
Readers and writers have the same goals in mind–don’t you think? We all want to be taken on an adventure as we sit in our homes, or wherever it is we are reading. I’ve been listening to Audible books lately so I go on adventures every day at my day job. That’s fun!
My time at Inspy has been a great adventure as well. So many amazing authors and readers and just fun comradery. I’ve “met” many online friends that I will always smile when I “see” you on other platforms.
I’d love to hear from you regarding books that evoke memories! Remind you of a place or time or situation that you resonated with. I’ve been listening to a lot of thrillers lately, so thankfully those haven’t evoked a lot of memories, right? But when I read books about small towns, I often think of my hometown. And when I read a book that has an awesome grandma, well, I think of mine.
How about you? See you in the comments!
USA Today featured author Lindi Peterson lives in north Georgia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and a lively array of cats, dogs and birds. She loves sharing life with her family and friends. Her passion for reading led her to writing, and then God spoke words of love into her heart and changed her life forever.
I just lost my response. I too look at memories on fb (surprising how many cats are in the past 5 years.) but it can be bittersweet seeing a comment from a friend who is no longer with us. where as others remind me of trips away. recently it was photos from Hawaii.
I too have had books I had to put down due to the subject. When mum passed away I couldn’t deal with books where the hero or heroine was dealing with sickness. One other time lots of the books were dealing with different issues at the time I couldnt handle but now could
One book that left a lasting memory is Sincerely, Mayla, her aunt was also a carer and being manipulated by her mother. I could see my situation and this book actually gave me hope about finding someone.
Another is the sister chick books by Robin Jones Gunn. the one in Hawaii made me want to visit and I did . the one downunder I could relate to several things like over filling a spa with bubble bath I didn’t do it as bad but I did do it.
I still remember winning your book Her Best Catch I think from Seekerville. I still have my copy. Its been need getting to know you more here at Inspy. All the best for your futher endevours.
There was this book (I Could Fall in Love by Kimberly Brown) that had a character’s dad pass away from liver cancer right at the start, and since I lost my own dad to liver cancer I really was not okay :’) Beautiful book though.
There are also memoirs that hit too close to home, so I had to take breaks while reading them. Most of the time though, the things I read don’t reflect my experiences so I’m good :)
Whenever I read a book set in New England it reminds me of fun summers spent on a lake and all of my relatives who would visit us. They are all gone now but I have great memories. I also enjoy reading books set in England because they remind me of my Nana who was born in England and moved here as a little girl.
Definitely! Especially when I read stories about big families, I am filled with memories of my own large family. :)
Hi Lindi! I have been a participant of Inspy Romance for a decade, because I identified with Valerie Comer’ s Farm Fresh book Raspberries and Vinegar. I live in a farming community in SW Michigan. I identified with Elizabeth Maddrey’s Peacock Hill series because my middle son renovated houses. Now I am part of Carolyn Miller’s reading challenge. This week we are discussing Joy Vee’s historical dual timeline book They Whisper About Us, which is set in St. Petersburg and Lincoln. England. My German father was a prisoner of war at St. Petersburg during WW2. I enjoy watching ballet and identified with Russians defecting. In the 1979 several Bolshioi ballerinas defected while on tour in the USA. Since I read about 150 books a year and belong to several books and am on ARC teams, I identify with many books. Best wishes and happy writing.
I honestly don’t remember books that resonate that much, at least, not fiction!! I do, however, have songs that will evoke memories, and there are some songs that I remember exactly when I heard them for the first time. I do LOVE small towns in books, though, as my extended family all lived in a small town, and whenever we’d go to visit, the people there may not remember our names, but they knew the family we belonged to!
Whenever I read a blurb on a book, if it takes place somewhere that I have lived or visited, it always gets a serious look and most times a purchase. It is fun reading and picturing the setting since I have been there and know what it looks like.
Now that I live in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, I’m discovering SO MANY authors who write about that beautiful location. Pat Conroy, Mary Alice Monroe, Rachel Hanna, Susan Boyer, Caleb Wygal. The list is endless. Each time I read a book that takes place in my home area, I thrill over the mention of a place I’ve been or I make a list of places nearby that I haven’t been. And I praise God that I’m lucky enough to live here!
I too love those “(x) years ago” memories, especially if they’re about my boys or something we’ve done or gone to.
Yes certain books evoke memories – right now I’m thinking of several children’s books since, well, because of sharing them with my boys, and also I’ve always loved children’s books.
I’ve had that happen too, where a book hits too close to home and you have to set it aside for a bit. I go through spurts where I can’t read anything sad, I need something more lighthearted.
One of Julie Arduini’s books addressed precisely what I was dealing with in my life when I was one of her winners here.
Authors create the platforms in their books and readers imaginations take flight from there. The more evocative the writing the more amazing the flights can be.
Thank you for all the great posts, I have enjoyed them very much.
Yes there have been books that take me back to some memories. I like it some books bring back some good memories for me.
I know what you mean. I was born and raised in NYC so when I read books based in NYC it brings back memories when they speak of places and monuments I remember with fondness.
Jenny—We have been on an adventure, haven’t we? Thank you so much for your kind words–and it seems we’re in agreement on many book memories!!
Milica, I bet opening that book did produce many emotions! Praise for pushing through!
Lori—Yes, locations! I know the same is true for me. Also I do love true locations as well and smile when I recognize certain spots. There is something so relatable about that.
Elizabeth–Yes! And often the big families are a part of a series–many more books to read!
Renate—I’ve loved seeing you all the years!!! And yes, I know you’re an avid reader. How fun!! I love that there are so many aspects of books that you relate to. I’m trying to read more books myself. I’ve set a goal of 100 this year. A little behind so far, but I’m hoping to catch up. You are an inspiration. :)
Trudy–So true about songs!! That’s a great way to evoke emotion. And thank you for the shout out for the community aspect.
Bonnie,
I agree with all you said. :) I love familiar locations, too.
Laurie,
Yes–so many authors!! With beautiful books. Thanks for the shout out. :)
Wenonah,
What a great gift reading books to children. I always read books to my kids. :) One of them is a reader now, and one isn’t. Boo!
Megan,
It seems I’m always looking for something lighthearted!!! Nothing wrong with that, though.
Dianne,
Don’t you love how God works. Thank you for visiting Inspy!!!
Alicia,
Agreed!! And good memories. :)
I think that it is always fun for me to read about characters with big families because it reminds me of my own family.
Cherie,
I do love visiting NYC. :) A fast-paced, fun vibe!
Angeline,
I love the how books evoke big-family memories. :)
For me, small towns tend to remind me of the place where I went to college and the community I found there. Or sometimes it could be a character, like you said, a grandma figure or scaring church members.
Before my Mom went into the nursing home where she later died, she loved for me to read out loud to her. I would read Bible study books by Lysa Terkhurst. Her favorite though was the Hannah Swenson mysteries by Joanne Fluke. They did have some romance in them. She also like to watch the movies on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. Those are wonderful memories that I have that no one can ever take away. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I love it when a book resonates with me. I even like it when it hits too close too home and I have to take a little break. I enjoy when Facebook shows me on this day(but so many years earlier) a picture I had taken, especially when it’s my daughters so young. It’s like wow the time went by so fast.
some books
I’ve enjoyed Portrait by JoAnn Durgin! It is set in my favorite place – Carmel-by-the-Sea.
When I read books set in small towns it reminds me of my late father’s side of the family. His parents owned 2 side by side lake front properties with cabins on each one in a small town in Mid Southern Georgia, a little under 2 hours from Atlanta.
All the grandkids went there for all of our vacations, there were at least 16 of us. It was a whole different world than living in the city and I always loved it.
As soon as I learned how to drive, I started going down every weekend I could and I still spend a month there in the summer and a few weeks here and there during the year.
So I like reading books set in small town, they just take me back.
We lived in Atlanta so to
I agree that books evoke memories – sometimes the setting or the characters might recall something familiar from my own life, sometimes if it’s a favourite book or one I’ve read a few times I can recall what was happening in my life when I read it before.
I started reading what has now become my favorite series after my grandma received one of the books as a gift, so I always think of her when reading the series. The stories are also set in an area fairly close to where my grandma lived, so that’s a fun tie in as well. I think of this series as my “comfort” series which feel like a warm hug to read.
I love reading about big family’s in books as I come from a big family I have 12 siblings many cousins and 8 nieces and nephews 1 on the way all under the age of 3 and under