Why do you read?

[castleteachings]

What is your main reason for reading?

I personally enjoy reading to diversify my outlook on theoretical approach; ergo, broadening my knowledge in general.
To do this, I read a range of books from disparate genres and epochs.
I particularly enjoy postmodernist literature, my favourite short stoy being 'the night drive' by Italo Calvino.
{edit}

Feel free to elucidate your reading aims...

[/dev/null]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uvs2g5Nj0NI

[castleteachings]

Haha, that's great! Do you read to avoid becoming a waffle waitress?

[/dev/null]

Do you read to avoid becoming a waffle waitress?

It feels that way, sometimes...

I guess there are two possible reasons to read: learning and entertainment. Those only interested in the first will mostly read textbook, specific essays and such. Those only interested in the second will mostly read best-sellers and genre literature. The average reader should be be somewhere in the middle. The good reader realizes both reasons are pretty much the same.

[castleteachings]

How profound! I would like to think I'm somewhere in the middle. I read intellectually stimulating literature; books which are loaded with philosophical/theoretical undertones.

[Heteronym]

For pleasure, to understand myself better, to understand others, to surround myself with beauty, for knowledge.

[Pierre Menard]

Because I find it enjoyable and I like engaging in a 'dialogue' with the author.

[castleteachings]

Because I find it enjoyable and I like engaging in a 'dialogue' with the author.

So you believe that in reading a text, you learn something about the author, as opposed to the character which he/she creates?

[Pierre Menard]

So you believe that in reading a text, you learn something about the author, as opposed to the character which he/she creates?


No no, not exactly. I don't really take the ultra-romantic view that all of a writer is reflected in their writings. I meant dialogue with the author as an author. More a dialogue as in he/she is 'speaking' their art, and I as a reader am 'receiving' the art. So my interpretations of the characters and so on are all part of the larger 'dialogue'.