What Is Your Dream Book?

If you could create a book to read that was absolutely perfect, what would it be about?

As readers, we all have those books that are absolutely magical. They are almost perfect and make our top 10 lists of favorite books.

But what if you could make a book, a singular book, that was the best book you’ve ever read?

I’ve thought about this a lot as a reader. Especially when asked what my favorite books are and why. Usually, I can say what parts of my favorite books are and why I like them. But there is not a single book in existence that is perfect for me.

So today I’d like to ruminate on how I would create the perfect book for me.

Right off the bat, I can say this will be a fiction book.

I do read quite a few non-fiction (memoirs, self-help, biographies, science). But fiction is always my favorite, especially fantasy and sci-fi.

A world that’s new and unpredictable will sweep me off my feet any day.

Let’s continue with some of my favorite real books and why I like them.

1. The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicles)

by Patrick Rothfuss

The Kingkiller Chronicles trilogy was started in 2007 with the release of The Name of the Wind and followed by The Wise Man’s Fear in 2011. The Doors of Stone is meant to be the conclusion but has yet to be released.

I would rank the first in the series as my favorite book.

I love The Name of the Wind because it is the perfect combination of fantasy world-building, fun characters, action, and adventure. Kvothe is witty and intelligent. He’s a musician and a scholar. He’s loyal to his friends and fights for the good guys.

It’s hard not to get sucked into his world (current and past) and the lives he lives. Rothfuss has a way of creating a fantasy world that is extremely easy to understand.

2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter Series)

by J.K. Rowling

The entire Harry Potter series has been a favorite of mine since I first started reading them. I remember attending the midnight release for Deathly Hallows with my family. My Mom and Dad were great at making sure their kids had a chance to engage in what they loved, even if it meant drinking coffee on the way to a book store in the middle of the night.

As with many readers, I fell in love with Hogwarts and Harry and Quidditch.

Again, there’s action and adventure, likable characters, and world-building. Rowling is particularly unique in her magical system and the lengths she goes to to create the magical world.

3. American Assassin (Mitch Rapp Series)

by Vince Flynn

The Mitch Rapp series contains 14 books written by Flynn and another 7 from author Kyle Mills. Mitch Rapp is an assassin trained to take out the bad guys in the most extreme situations.

He’s smart and creative. He has an immense skill set including languages, combat, weapons, and disguises. Rapp is hardcore.

I love this series because it is long and it has a wonderful cast of characters that changes and grows with the series. There is endless action while planning to hunt the bad guys. The plots are believable even if you’re not a trained assassin yourself.

Some other favorites might include the following:

1. The Martian
2. Red Rising Series
3. Game of Thrones Series

Again, these share some similar traits to the books mentioned above. This isn’t to say that I don’t like books that are not similar to this, but these have, without a doubt, been the types of books that I enjoy the most. These are the books that I couldn’t put down. The ones that are really close to being perfect.

So what would my dream book actually be like?

Based on my current favorite books (or series) my dream book would include the following:

• A physically strong and intelligent male lead
• A battle of good vs evil
• A magical element that is well-thought-out
• A physical battle or challenge for the MC
• Supporting characters that can keep up with the MC
• An overarching plotline that requires several books in a series
• Over 300 pages per book
• Humor to occasionally lighten the serious mood
• Newly imagined languages and cultures
• Chapter titles with pictures
• Third-person limited perspective

It would not include:

• Excessive violence
• Weak female characters
• Love triangles

Is that too much to ask?

This seems like a tall order, but I’m not giving up hope yet. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be the one to write my own perfect book.

I think it helps to know what you like and dislike in books to help you find your next great read.

If you’re an author out there looking for a new book idea, please please please, write this book for me!

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Comment below to let me know what your dream book would be like!