Why read?

[Kitty88]

We all read for a purpose, but why do we feel drawn to certain books than others?
I just thought this could be interesting for discussion!

[The Comedian]

The humorist in me says, "I read so that I can sound smarter than my friends, and thereby help me nudge along my pathetic self esteem."

The philosopher in me says, "I read to slow things down -- life is such a rush and it seems like words and images are constantly thrown directly at our faces like so many cream pies -- it's nice to follow a story in slow time and quite hours."

The dismissive-ist (is that a word?) in me says, "I read because I always have (no counting the ages 0-5, when I was functionally illiterate and needed my mom or dad to read to me)."

And finally, the cynic in me says, "I read because I feel that I have to -- I majored in it, after all."

Well, there are some of my reasons for reading. :)

EDIT -- Regarding certain books: I read kids books to my kids, magazines when I'm too tired to read kids books or other books, and literature when I'm not too tired and the kids are asleep. This latter point does not occur as often as I'd like. Oh, and I read Walden every spring because it's the best book ever written by a human being.

[Lokasenna]

I read because I believe that books are the architecture of civilization. They are, in a way, an aspect of immortality, a snapshot of a mindframe that can last forever. I suppose I read, therefore, because people fascinate me, and the way they think always surprises me!

[subterranean]

I read because I got nothing else better to do.

[Kitty88]

great replies guys! i read because it gives insight into new worlds, mindframes characterisation and how different author's craft, shape meanings and bring light to things we would not see.
Do people always necessarily get hooked in from the first sentence of any book though?
are there personal genres people prefer?

[Jeremiah Jazzz]

I read to get away, to become cultured in a culture where there is no such thing as 'going abroad'. Philosophical ideas (and places, characters...) take on a psychological stance in a struggle for me to become a well-rounded person. In all these excursions there is an underlying beauty I desperately want to become a part of.

[librarius_qui]

We all read for a purpose, but why do we feel drawn to certain books than others?
I just thought this could be interesting for discussion!

Because there's a lot of things to read. Because we can learn what's been made, since the beginning of everything considered human. Because it's as awful as knowing someone else ... deceitful and, yet, believable. Because it was another human being who wrote. Many other "becauses".



great replies guys! i read because it gives insight into new worlds, mindframes characterisation and how different author's craft, shape meanings and bring light to things we would not see.
Do people always necessarily get hooked in from the first sentence of any book though?
are there personal genres people prefer?

Choices are made according to will, decision, tastes, I think. The book industry invests a lot in coverings, nowadays ... Even the book should look good. There are things we're recommended to read, and we pursue them, whether it's pleasant or not. There are things we have to read. There are things everyone has to read. There are things everyone should read ...

People seem to prefer whatever everyone else likes ... In general. Not here (LitNet), perhaps, but if you go into a bookstore, and ask what people will buy, possibly 50% of them are in search of common "same" things. (I went into bookstores to buy something was being very much read ... And I was revolted in the days of the release of The Lord of the Rings in the cinemas, because I hate to read what everyone else is reading ...)

& There are the (many kinds of) classics. True classics, religious literature (hmpf), philosophy (blaargh), modern classics.

These are some thoughts.

[Ghuyuran]

We read in order to put order in a world where there isn't. Like The Comedian said, "it's nice to follow a story in slow time and quite hours."

I find all these answers quite interesting.

[Kitty88]

are people influenced by major critical reviews?

[Emil Miller]

I read firstly to be INFORMED and secondly to be ENTERTAINED. If you can get both from a book, you have the best of both worlds rather than the lop-sided view of one as opposed to the other.

[The Comedian]

are people influenced by major critical reviews?

No -- mostly because I don't read them. I'm sure they're fine but I don't have as much time as I would like to read the things that I do enjoy.

[Kitty88]

some more interesting points guys ;)
Are people more drawn into novels than poetry?

[dreamscape]

I have struggled to find reliable sources for reviews. i have got more recommendations from this forum, for example, in the last couple of weeks than anywhere else in the last year.
I agree with brian, to be both informed and entertained is the height of authorial talent. eg, Phillip K Dick wrote rollicking good sci-fi, which was also infused with psychology, philosophy, and so on...and thats why it has stood the test of time.
I personally look for something about the human condition (doing a psychology PhD) with my entertainment...

[kelby_lake]

Challenge! I'm an elitist and like pushing my knowledge. I'm great in a pub quiz!

[Bumbeli]

Knowledge
Escape
Entertainment
Boredom

[semi-fly]

I read because it beats sitting in front of the television being told by overpaid celebrities what I should watch, wear, listen to, or generally care about.

[Dori]

I read to write.
If I've learned anything, it's that reading improves your writing.
And so I read
And read
And read
Though really, not that much as of late.
'Tis a shame.

[ihavebrownhaira]

I read because I got nothing else better to do.



Me too! Cut all the intellectual jazz out of it haha.

[ihavebrownhaira]

I read because it beats sitting in front of the television being told by overpaid celebrities what I should watch, wear, listen to, or generally care about.


I agree with this also! yes yes yes.

[Lokasenna]

I read because it beats sitting in front of the television being told by overpaid celebrities what I should watch, wear, listen to, or generally care about.

Too true!

[Mariamosis]

It's more productive than drinking :)
... so in other words ... escape and entertainment

[beth01081]

I read because I enjoy reading about other peoples lives. And I like to travel around the world and thru time from my bedroom. What else could be better?

[Joreads]

I. And I like to travel around the world and thru time from my bedroom. What else could be better?

I have to agree it is one of the best things about reading - you could be anywhere and with anyone at anytime.

[optimisticnad]

I read because I got nothing else better to do.

:lol: Are you complimenting the art of reading or insulting it?

[wat??]

It really depends what I am reading, though in general I think that I read to view a different perspective of life through the eyes of someone who has experienced much more than me and who is much more intelligent than I am.

[Zee.]

I read inbetween killing people

[Tsuyoiko]

Two almost opposite reasons really. Escapism and introspection. I read to experience places and times that are different from where I am now and to immerse myself in different situations and cultures. And I read to help me figure out my own thoughts and feelings, and to reassure myself that whatever crap is going on with me has already been experienced and overcome before.

[Oniw17]

I read becuase I want to understand and I feel inadaquate in this endeavour. Others have read things that I haven't and it feels like they have an advantage of perception that I lack. Also, reading is much more entertaining than most things, excluding boxing(the act not the observation of it), music(the observation of it), discussion, and sprinting. It's an effective way of learning as well, and the most important thing to me, besides loyalty to loved ones, is self-cultivation.