There is a question I want you to think about: Do you like to read for fun, and if you do why?
Personally, I love to read. I love to escape from my reality and dive into a world of imagination. When real life becomes overwhelming, I have a place to hide. From post-apocalyptic Earth to a trip across the galaxy, there are endless opportunities for heart-racing adventures. In most fiction books, the characters go through terrible ordeals. In all aspects, they go to hell and back. For some reason, despite these experiences being fictitious, I can compare their horrible problems to my own. The issues the characters face always remind me of how good my life is. They inspire me to move forward over whatever hurdle is in my way. They emphasize that even though you may be facing a problem in the middle of your story, there are plenty of pages left to fill and the future is still being written.
That said, I don’t particularly like non-fiction books. Mainly because they’re boring. I’m sorry to say it, but more often than not, a non-fiction book will put me to sleep after the first chapter. The problem is that they don't really take you anywhere exciting. For example, Kurt Timmermeister’s “Growing A Farmer” was too realistic for me to enjoy. Besides the fact that he disclosed, in my opinion, way too much information about how the food we find in the grocery store comes to be, it didn't draw me in or help me elude the world around me. I respect what he does for a living and that he’s found something he loves, but I would never willingly pick up that book. Nonfiction books are sometimes based on historical information or how the author's own history has influenced them. It's ironic because I love history. I’m a firm believer in history repeating itself. I value the information we have gained and hope that every generation learns from past mistakes. Whenever I finish a non-fiction book, I don't feel any sense of accomplishment or satisfaction. Actually, I kind of feel depressed. That said, I can endure a non-fiction book if necessary thanks to my passion for reading.
One thing I know for sure is that I don't want to just tolerate a book, I want to enjoy it. That's why when I'm offered a non-fiction book, I usually just say no thanks.
I totally agree with you on your feelings about nonfiction. For some reason I can never seem to get that into nonfiction, probably because a lot of the nonfiction books I have to read are for school so that immediately puts a little sour taste in my mouth. But I also agree on why you like to read and I read for the same reason.
ReplyDeleteHey Arianna,
ReplyDeleteI also love to read very much(but most are Chinese), I guess that's the reason why I became a free lance writer. My favorite type is detective fiction, I really like the feeling when I try to figure out as more clews as I can, which is amazing.
- Xiaoxin Shen
I think the both fiction and non fictions can give a voice to problems that we relate to, but in very different ways. For the most part, I read for fun and to expand what I think of as possible. Media is a great way for me to stretch my imagination and be inspired.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your title, I was thinking, "Was this written because we just finished reading 'Growing a Farm?'" I agree that non-fiction can be boring, but I feel as if they can work if they present their story through an interesting narrative or structure. If it focuses on telling a story as opposed to just giving very specific information, I think it can work.
ReplyDelete- Ryan
I think its great to be able to escape from reality anytime you can. And the fact that yours is with reading is awesome!
ReplyDeleteHa. Throwing shade at "Growing a Farmer" again. I totally understand your desire to escape from reality for a bit but for a while I was the opposite. I enjoyed reading biographies and self help books because i find the perspective of others fascinating. However, I am really starting to dig fiction, because it still conveys the same messages but in a more entertaining way. Cool read!
ReplyDeleteI understand your point for not liking non-fiction books, but personally I enjoy a truth thats supports any story; that being said I also do enjoy a good fiction read.
ReplyDeleteI love your article about reading! I also enjoy reading a great deal! I remember spending most of middle school and high school reading the days away and not much else haha. I see what you mean about fiction books-- they are definitely easier to pick up for sure.
ReplyDelete-Daniel
This is pretty interesting since I love history as well, so I would assume you'd actually like non-fiction. But I totally understand the escapism aspect of fiction books.
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