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I'm tired of reading books that don't have a theme. How can you write a book that goes on for 50+ chapters and all readers walk away with was entertainment?

No, let's all take our stories and abilities more seriously. A theme doesn't have to be rubbed in the reader's faces, but it must be there.

Allow your readers to walk away with a little meaningful message.

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Here are five reasons why your book should have a theme:

1. Emotional Impact:

Adding a theme to your book heightens the emotional impact your story can have. For example, The Great Gatsby explores the theme of the American Dream, making Gatsby's tragic downfall feel more powerful than just a story about a rich man trying to win back his love.

Themes have the capacity to connect to readers on a personal level. Your messages and themes could apply to situations they currently face and you could spike change in their lives.

You could even touch on philosophical issues and ideologies to evoke an emotional response in readers. This can be seen in Rick and Morty. It's a comical show, but it touches on several different themes (identity and self, the illusion of control, and the burden of intelligence) and philosophy (absurdism, nihilism, and existentialism).

2. Focus

Having a clear theme helps unify your story. It acts as a main point your story develops from.

It can also help when you're deciding whether subplots and such are essential; if they have nothing to do with the theme, don't include it.

In Harry Potter, the theme of love and sacrifice connects EVERYTHING—from Harry's mother protecting him as a baby to his own choices in the final battle. Without this, the story might just feel like a series of magical events.

Readers may not be able to decipher what theme you're touching on, but your story can still have a grand cultural impact (potentially just like Harry Potter).

3. Memorability

This is arguably the most important reason.

If your book has a strong theme, your story can stick with readers for years. Think of a movie or show that you just can't get out of your head. It's incredibly likely that it explores a strong theme that appealed to you greatly.

1984 is unforgettable because of its theme of government control and surveillance, which still sparks discussions TO THIS DAY! If it were just about a man in a dystopian world without that thematic depth, it wouldn't have the same impact, and you cannot convince me otherwise.

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Themes are like the heart of your story. On the outside we see a beautiful human being with pretty clothes and makeup, but without the core—without the heart, it wouldn't even be alive. Themes bring your story to life. Like a heart, it usually goes unseen, but it is incredibly vital.

I would gladly write a chapter on how to create a theme, but the video attached above teaches it way better than I ever can. Please, invest the time and watch this video. You won't regret it. Plus, he's really funny. It's just three minutes!