Why books suck

"you can't bore me into learning anything"

I am a voracious reader. I've just calculated that I've consummed over 200 books in the last two years. And since it has been a long standing intention of mine to write my own book, it has me thinking...what makes for a good book?

Books on Happiness bore me!

There are thousands of books on how to find happiness. I've read quite a few of them and have not really found one that excited me. Do you know why? It is because they are usually written like text books...BORING. How is that so many authors take a subject like happiness and make it boring. Mostly its because they come from an academic background. They can't resist backing everything up with tons of proper documented proof. It's in their DNA. Most writers miss this essential truth of any great book...

"we are drowning in information and starved for inspiration"

Truth is, there is no shortage of information. You can find answers to almost anything, just by visiting Mr. Google. Information is abundantly available for free. The books and blogs that actually cause changes in people are the one's that motivate us to actually do something or challenge our thinking in some way.

"we remember best what interests us and what makes us laugh"

It is not always the smartest or even the best writers who sell the most books. Nope, it's the writers who connect with us readers. The one's who motivate us are the writers who touch some emotion,share something of great interest or amuse us.

"most books that are purchased are not read front to back"

I came to the realization that anytime a person writes for others, he is asking a lot of the reader. He is asking not only for your hard earned cash but also your time. Excepting of course blog writers like yours truly, who leave you with your cash but still want you to spend some of your time.

"school is out forever and we ain't going back"

No English teacher is ever going grade my writing again. I can break the rules of puntuation and structure (and I do frequently). All I really need to do is inform and entertain.

"we are all born naked and screaming, let's hope it never changes"

And as you see I can put in something totally unrelated to the subject, just because I think it amuses me and maybe you.

Smile, we are big kids and can do whatever we want!

Eduardo

P.S. The most valuable book or blog is one that you share with someone else because you know they need or would appreciate what it has to say. That's what a good friend would do and writers need all of the friends they can get.

BONUS THOUGHT; When you help a friend, you can be sure that the next time she needs help she will come back.