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Old 09-22-2009, 10:20 AM   #134
Bob Russell
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Join Date: May 2004
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tompe View Post
Of course it is true in a trivial way if you consider to read interesting or entertaining books as a purpose. But I assume it was not that kind of purpose you were talking about.
Actually, I agree with you. I probably didn't explain myself very well before, but I am saying that entertainment is a legit purpose for reading a book. (As in "a purpose for reading the book", not "a life purpose that the book is meant to support".)

When I choose a spy thriller, it's not because I feel like I'll learn something. I might learn something by accident if the author has exotic locations I get to "experience", or describes spy gadgets that I didn't know about, or has interesting situations that make you think about life and human nature or whatever. But with that style of fiction, you rarely know what's true and what's made up or exaggerated for the story.

So, bottom line, my entire purpose for choosing that kind of book is pure entertainment, and I think that's a valid purpose. In fact, when I have insomnia, it's also a nice way to read myself to sleep. (Of course, that can backfire as well, because if it's a real page turner, I won't put it down until I can't hold my eyes open anymore!)
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