Shifty. And Meaty.
A shifty book is the type of book that changes the reader's mind on something, or makes them reflect on an issue that they may have never thought about before. A book may be shifty for some people but not shifty for others. For example, reading Scott Westerfeld's book Extras made me, a compulsive liar, turn into a compulsive truther. His book revolutionized my brain and my communication style. My life changed because of that book. And yet, Elise read Westerfeld's Uglies series and never thought once about the importance of honesty. We both read Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti, and it summoned a feminist conscience in us. So a shifty book is a thought-provoking, mind-rewiring, possibly life-changing book. But what's a meaty book?
A meaty book is usually, but doesn't have to be, a thick book. It's the type of book that has a story you truly feel a part of. The depth of the author's world burns so deep into you that, in a way, the book is interactive. Harry Potter and Fruits Basket are both popular for their blatant meatiness. A meaty book is a wonderful book. A meaty book is the type of book you stay up until 3 AM reading. A meaty book is the reason why you might spend a Friday night locked up in your bedroom, not bothering to socialize or eat or shower. Yeah. That's a meaty book.
Now, do not misunderstand. A book can certainly be good without being meaty or shifty. Justine Larbalestier and John Green are two of my favorite authors, but their books fall in neither category for me. However, Kristin Cashore's book Graceling is both meaty and shifty to me. I've read it in twice in a single month.
So there you have it. :D If I ever mention 'meaty' or 'shifty' when describing a book, you know what I mean. And assuming anyone will ever actually read this...how would you describe your books? Do you relate to the thought of books being meaty and/or shifty? Until next time,
-Anabelle
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