When I think back to the best books I’ve ever read, the ones that stand out most have made an emotional impact on me. They have made me feel something that I didn’t feel before. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s magic. And isn’t that what we want to create with our writing? Magic. Wouldn’t it be nice to make readers feel something when they read your work?

That something can be anything—joy, anger, surprise. Some books I’ve read have put a huge smile on my face, like The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick. Others have left me feeling sad but hopeful, like The Book of Ruth by Jane Hamilton and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Yet others leave me feeling introspective, like The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen. 

While each of these books represent different genres, the one thing they have in common is the presence of empathy. Some would call that heart. Without heart, without empathy, what kind of story do you have? A story that isn’t memorable.

How do these authors create this literary magic? Why do their books touch my heart and soul when so many others don’t? There are five things that these stories have in common.

They craft an engaging plot. Not only do these best stories begin with a compelling premise, they take me on a journey with more twists and turns than a roller coaster ride.  Note how many twists occurred toward the end of The Nightingale that, at times, shocked and saddened me (and many other readers, I’m sure). Those plot twists were even more dramatic to me because I bought into the story from the very beginning. I had connected with the characters, and I saw what was at stake for them. With rising stakes, the story built momentum toward a dramatic conclusion.

They create relatable main characters. If I can’t connect with the main character, I’m not likely to follow along on their journey. Creating meaningful and relatable characters takes skill. Authors need to understand everything about them—what they look like, what they think, their habits and hobbies. Even if they aren’t the most likeable people, there is something about them that makes me want to root for them, like Ruth in The Book of Ruth, who was smarter and more observant than people in her life gave her credit for. There is usually something they desire, something they feel is lacking in their lives, like love, success, respect, or wealth. Put them into difficult situations with rising stakes, and I can’t help but follow them on their journey. When I can see the complexity of a character’s personality, complete with their strengths, flaws and desires, I can relate to them more easily

They bring us inside the character’s world view. There are moments when the lead character pauses to reflect on the world around them and what they have experienced. Through their thoughts, I’m able to see how the character was changing and growing. Dessen is especially adept at this, often bringing me inside her character’s head so I could see the world through her eyes, often written with an emotional depth and empathy far beyond her character’s teen years.  

They provide vivid sensory details and imagery.  Through vivid sensory details and imagery, these authors created a world for me to experience along with their characters. I saw what they saw, whether that’s the deep blue of the ocean or the various shades of green in the forest. I could taste the crispness of the apple, smell the sweetness of freshly baked cookies just out of the oven, or hear the roar and whistle of the wind during a storm. These details, gave me a sense of place as if I was there with the characters. It’s another way I connected with the characters.

They provide a satisfactory ending. There is nothing more disheartening than to spend hours reading a book that doesn’t resolve all the conflicts to the readers’ satisfaction. When I’ve spent so much time with a story, I want to see the pay off at the end. When it doesn’t come, I feel cheated. In the best books I’ve read, the author tied up loose ends in a way that made sense to the story. It may not have been the happiest of endings, but at least, it provided some hope for the characters’ future. And that makes reading the story worthwhile.

The best books are ones you want to keep reading, even after the story ends. The best ones touch you in some emotional way, and that’s what makes them memorable and shareable.

What about you? What books have left an emotional mark on you? How did the author accomplish that?