Quote:
Originally Posted by latepaul
I think there's something to the idea of comfort reading, a familiar book that gives a reliable 'hit' of pleasure.
I also think, for myself, that something has happened as I've gotten older. A new book has to be really good to seem as good as one of my old favourites. I think some of the books I enjoyed when I was young, if I read them for the first time now would just seem so-so.
Then there's the immersion issue. Even with my most favourite books I struggle to "lose myself" in the world of the book like I remember doing. I don't know what causes that but if I could get it back I would.
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I think it's the familiarity issue. When we are young and new to reading the act has a special magic to it that can fade in its intensity as we get older. Just as a young adult doesn't usually have to concentrate on how to walk unlike a toddler we get to the point where we don't have to concentrate on reading in order to do it and some of the luster can wear off.