The Mystery of Reading
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved watching shows and reading books about mysteries. Whether it was finding out who ate the last cookie, who stole the priceless artifact, or who killed a character, I am always consumed by where these adventures take me. Mystery books are some of my favorite books to read, as they contain the three best aspects of writing: anticipation, involvement, and excitement.
In mysteries, like most good books, you can never really tell what is going to happen until you finish reading the very last page. This genre, in my opinion, does the best job at building up anticipation and leaving you wanting more. Whether the good guy is actually the bad guy or finding a clue in the most unlikely place of all, you just never know what’s next! A great book that is sure to build up your anticipation is Greenglass House by Kate Milford. In this book, Milo, a young boy who lives in an inn with his family, encounters some rather unexpected guests during the Christmas season. Can he solve the question of why they all came before they leave? This book involves a lot of anticipation, which is an essential feature of mystery books and a huge part of why I love them.
As an avid reader, I always enjoy books that make me feel like I am existing within the story. Mystery books tend to suck you in and make you feel like you are solving the mystery right there alongside the characters. Feeling like you are there to find that tiny little clue or reveal the culprit can be very rewarding. Much like television shows for young children, mystery books actively pull you in as a reader and keep you involved throughout. A great mystery book series for readers of all ages is The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Warner. Even if the books are short, they are still fun to read and always make readers feel involved. The main characters are always solving mysteries wherever they go, and I feel like I am a part of the team! Involvement is another big reason why I love mystery books, and there are some great ones out there.
I especially love exciting twists and turns, particularly in mystery books! As the characters hover on the precipice of discovery, the excitement only builds. In my opinion, anticipation and excitement go hand in hand. Just like a roller coaster ride, the anticipation increases before the climax and later turns into excitement. If you like excitement, a good book for you is Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game. There is a dead man’s fortune on the line and a game to win it all...what could go wrong? I love getting excited by a good mystery book.
Mystery is a genre full of thrilling adventures and amazing literature. From simple puzzle books to complex murder mysteries, they capture the attention of all readers, big and small. The books listed in this piece will no doubt bring you along for an exciting ride and maybe inspire you to solve a mystery of your own!