One of the defining characteristics of a good book is its ability to transport a reader to another place and time. Whether it's a fantastical world, historical fiction or edge-of-your-seat thriller, the settings and characters become real to you, whether for a moment or the rest of your life.
Sometimes, you may only want to stay for that moment. And at other times, you find yourself wishing you could literally go. That's probably why the Harry Potter theme park is such a smashing success already!
And that got me thinking: Of all the books I've read, which parties would I want to attend?
The ball at Netherfield would be great for the drama -- Jane and Bingley falling in love, Elizabeth and Darcy willfully misunderstanding each other, Mary performing to the mortification of her family -- that's comic gold. Of course, I don't know any of the dances, so that could get a bit dull.
Then there are the house parties from "The Great Gatsby." Booze and beautiful people everywhere, and everyone saying such beautiful, yet meaningless, things. Even Bella and Edward's wedding would be a sight to see. Where else would you get vampires and werewolves among lace and champagne?
So which parties would you want to recreate?
(Photo by VinnyPrime on stock.xchng)