on literature

've been thinking about this a lot the last day or so, since I finished Blue Angel. FOr me at least, I can tell I've read a really good book when I get to the end and feel kind of depressed just because it's over. A good book should be like a good friend--always surprising you, making you want to spend time with it, and then leaving a gaping hole when it's not there anymore. That's kinda what I see good literature like, and if I could do that, I'd feel really, really good about my writing.