Why do you enjoy reading? - Page 2

jocampo · 02-02-2011, 08:22 PM

The older that I get, the less T.V I watch.

I don't know if that's because the current programming, or that I'm too busy with work or just that with age, people mature enough and change their tastes, not sure, but I actually read more now than ever before. Before Kindle I use to buy 2, 3, 4 computer books every month via Amazon and spend lot of time reading and studying. Now with electronic ereaders is easier than ever.

I read mainly computer and database books and because is my passion and what I enjoy and do for living, it is a real pleasure to spend hours and hours reading about that.

Now, for some movie hits I must confess I usually watch the movie first but I don't mind reading the novel if I really enjoyed the film. In other cases, I've read the book 1st and I've found the movie a horrible interpretation but it depends of too many factors, like a good (or bad) director or a low budget.

purplesocklady · 02-02-2011, 08:28 PM

I love to read because I can relate so much better to the characters. I like to live in a book, and tune out the rest of the world. It seems I can examine the depth of the character so much more, and become that person for a short time. Sometimes it influences who I am in real life, sometimes it makes me back away from something I was becoming and didn't want to be.

I also like that I don't have to see the violence, the gory scenes that are shown in movies. Somehow I can read about awful things and be detached, but if I see it depicted it horrifies me.

Finally, I just love the way words can be strung together to paint a picture. Some authors totally amaze me with their ability to describe things. Maya Angelou is one example. I would like to read every book she's ever written, just so I can play with words like she does.

jocampo · 02-02-2011, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purplesocklady

Finally, I just love the way words can be strung together to paint a picture. Some authors totally amaze me with their ability to describe things. .

I don't know if you can read Garcia Marquez (in Spanish, not translated) It is amazing the way he writes; he makes you feel like you're part of the novel.

goth1k · 02-03-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocampo

The older that I get, the less T.V I watch.

I'm the same, its a very rare occasion I see something on the T.V that grabs my attention.

So I read mainly to keep my mind active when I'm in the house not doing much.

fruiter · 02-03-2011, 01:02 PM

I like reading science fiction and romance novels. I'm not that into fantasy or thriller, because they kind of bore me, but I enjoy non-fiction and poetry.

I find that I no longer can watch TV on a real television - I mostly sit down in front of my laptop and watch old episodes of The West Wing, or old films I really liked as a child. New tv shows don't appeal to me, not really.

bobavey · 02-03-2011, 01:28 PM

Reading is a more personal experience than watching a movie or television. The reasons for this are numerous, but one important ingredient is the author. An experienced author will include just enough information to get the reader going in the right direction then leave the rest to develop in the mind of the reader.

rePete · 04-08-2011, 05:51 PM

1. Knowledge (spiritual, technical, political, historical)
2. Deepen spiritual experience (Christian world view)
3. Escape from reality (sometimes - this is where novels enter)

My mother read a dozen novels a week while sipping her bloddy-mary while dad was all over the place as a salesman. She got her books from the library.

I seldom read fiction. With that said, I've read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogy at least 4 times AND absolutely bought the DVDs when they came out. Years ago I started reading Hotel - couldn't put it down till I finished it - in one reading - and it was hugh!!

rePete · 04-08-2011, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goth1k

very rare occasion I see something on the T.V that grabs my attention.

One of my 'Sunday jobs' is to scan the TV guide for things my wife and I like to watch: NCIS and the Closer are favorites of hers while I also like CSI:Las Vegas, Criminal Minds, Mentalist, Bones, White Collar, and Burned. Once the new season is over I get more reading done.

wvcherrybomb · 04-08-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

For me, reading is the most efficient and enjoyable way to learn. Books let me peek into others' thoughts and imaginations in ways that no other medium can.

Ditto on this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by queentess

I suppose I'll be one of the few here to admit that 1. I own a tv and 2. I enjoy watching it. I watch tv, read, knit and videogame all because they're relaxing/enjoyable.

Ditto on this too. We have a TV in every room. If we're home, the tv is on.

I play video games too. I am a hardcore Animal Crossing addict. It only looks like a child's game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rePete

3. Escape from reality

Yep. Life is hard. Sometimes you need a break from it.

And my own addition to the list:

Because you can stop and pick up where you left off easily without missing anything.

ClairePMR · 04-08-2011, 07:40 PM

Why do I like to read? Wow... that's actually a really interesting question. I honestly have never given any thought to "why" I enjoy reading, because it has always been such a fundamental part of my existence. I can't not read. To me, it's nearly as necessary as breathing. When I'm away from written material for more than a few hours straight, I get really impatient to get back to it. I absorb words like a sponge absorbs water. I can't imagine not having another book available when I'm nearing the end of what I'm currently reading. I spend almost an hour a day looking for what my next read will be and adding material to my "next read" list. If I'm not reading, I'm writing. I've been known to wake up in the middle of the night with an irresistible urge to read or write. Drives my husband nuts when I do that, but I've always been like this and probably always will.

I guess I still haven't answered "why" and I don't know that I can. I just... must.

Sydney's Mom · 04-08-2011, 09:41 PM

I have used reading to escape from bad situations since I was a child. That did me well when I was in school (and I was in school until I was 25). Now I use reading to shut off everything around me - even if it isn't bad. So when I am in bed, or on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I get completely absorbed by a book. Unfortunately, it is baseball season, and I am a huge fan, and watching a game is incompatable with reading. But it is compatable with knitting, so I use the summer to achieve my charity knitting goal, and the winter, spring and fall for reading.

ebusinesstutor · 04-09-2011, 01:57 PM

I love to read. Not only is it a great escape to other worlds (science fiction and fantasy), it makes me think.

I do watch TV, but we canceled cable and just watch Netflix. I enjoy watching TV series from start to finish over a period of weeks and the movies on demand. More than I could ever hope to watch in one place.

Lemurion · 04-09-2011, 02:27 PM

Reading goes at my speed - TV goes at its speed.

There are a few shows I enjoy, but for the most part I prefer to read. Part of it is that I find it much easier to process the written word than spoken dialogue, and as a result I don't handle interruption well when watching a show or movie - if something interrupts me so that I have to stop the movie and get up two or three times I often lose interest and never finish watching it.

I also find a lot of popular shows actively annoying - so that really turns me off much of TV. The majority of comedies make me angry instead of making me laugh, so I avoid a lot of them.

shanghaichica · 04-11-2011, 03:58 PM

For entertainment, escapism, pleasure. A book is always a better experience than it's film counterpart. I do like TV shows and movies but I've always enjoyed reading books more than watching TV, ive always preferred using my own imagination. Nothing beats the excitement and that feeling of being transported to another place whilst immersed in a great book.

I do read some non-fiction books to gain knowledge and sometimes memoirs/biographies to see life from another perspective but I mainly read for enjoyment.

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02-02-2011, 08:22 PM	#16
jocampo Layback feline Posts: 3,034 Karma: 6980745 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: USA Device: Oasis 2nd gen, Sony DPTS1, iPad Pro 10.5"	The older that I get, the less T.V I watch. I don't know if that's because the current programming, or that I'm too busy with work or just that with age, people mature enough and change their tastes, not sure, but I actually read more now than ever before. Before Kindle I use to buy 2, 3, 4 computer books every month via Amazon and spend lot of time reading and studying. Now with electronic ereaders is easier than ever. I read mainly computer and database books and because is my passion and what I enjoy and do for living, it is a real pleasure to spend hours and hours reading about that. Now, for some movie hits I must confess I usually watch the movie first but I don't mind reading the novel if I really enjoyed the film. In other cases, I've read the book 1st and I've found the movie a horrible interpretation but it depends of too many factors, like a good (or bad) director or a low budget.

02-02-2011, 08:28 PM	#17
purplesocklady Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ohio Device: Nook	I love to read because I can relate so much better to the characters. I like to live in a book, and tune out the rest of the world. It seems I can examine the depth of the character so much more, and become that person for a short time. Sometimes it influences who I am in real life, sometimes it makes me back away from something I was becoming and didn't want to be. I also like that I don't have to see the violence, the gory scenes that are shown in movies. Somehow I can read about awful things and be detached, but if I see it depicted it horrifies me. Finally, I just love the way words can be strung together to paint a picture. Some authors totally amaze me with their ability to describe things. Maya Angelou is one example. I would like to read every book she's ever written, just so I can play with words like she does.

02-03-2011, 01:02 PM	#20
fruiter Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 438 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Kindle 3; WISEreader N526	I like reading science fiction and romance novels. I'm not that into fantasy or thriller, because they kind of bore me, but I enjoy non-fiction and poetry. I find that I no longer can watch TV on a real television - I mostly sit down in front of my laptop and watch old episodes of The West Wing, or old films I really liked as a child. New tv shows don't appeal to me, not really.

02-03-2011, 01:28 PM	#21
bobavey Bob Avey Posts: 117 Karma: 501082 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Device: none	Reading is a more personal experience than watching a movie or television. The reasons for this are numerous, but one important ingredient is the author. An experienced author will include just enough information to get the reader going in the right direction then leave the rest to develop in the mind of the reader.

04-08-2011, 05:51 PM	#22
rePete Connoisseur Posts: 78 Karma: 116768 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Where the Mississippi runs East to West Device: Pandigital Novel	1. Knowledge (spiritual, technical, political, historical) 2. Deepen spiritual experience (Christian world view) 3. Escape from reality (sometimes - this is where novels enter) My mother read a dozen novels a week while sipping her bloddy-mary while dad was all over the place as a salesman. She got her books from the library. I seldom read fiction. With that said, I've read the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogy at least 4 times AND absolutely bought the DVDs when they came out. Years ago I started reading Hotel - couldn't put it down till I finished it - in one reading - and it was hugh!!

04-08-2011, 07:40 PM	#25
ClairePMR Groupie Posts: 164 Karma: 1030058 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New England Device: PocketBook Color, Kindle, EB1150, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Surface Pro 2017	Why do I like to read? Wow... that's actually a really interesting question. I honestly have never given any thought to "why" I enjoy reading, because it has always been such a fundamental part of my existence. I can't not read. To me, it's nearly as necessary as breathing. When I'm away from written material for more than a few hours straight, I get really impatient to get back to it. I absorb words like a sponge absorbs water. I can't imagine not having another book available when I'm nearing the end of what I'm currently reading. I spend almost an hour a day looking for what my next read will be and adding material to my "next read" list. If I'm not reading, I'm writing. I've been known to wake up in the middle of the night with an irresistible urge to read or write. Drives my husband nuts when I do that, but I've always been like this and probably always will. I guess I still haven't answered "why" and I don't know that I can. I just... must.

04-08-2011, 09:41 PM	#26
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,899 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	I have used reading to escape from bad situations since I was a child. That did me well when I was in school (and I was in school until I was 25). Now I use reading to shut off everything around me - even if it isn't bad. So when I am in bed, or on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I get completely absorbed by a book. Unfortunately, it is baseball season, and I am a huge fan, and watching a game is incompatable with reading. But it is compatable with knitting, so I use the summer to achieve my charity knitting goal, and the winter, spring and fall for reading.

04-09-2011, 01:57 PM	#27
ebusinesstutor Star Gawker Posts: 526 Karma: 6944314 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Spruce Grove, AB Canada Device: Kindle Paperwhite	I love to read. Not only is it a great escape to other worlds (science fiction and fantasy), it makes me think. I do watch TV, but we canceled cable and just watch Netflix. I enjoy watching TV series from start to finish over a period of weeks and the movies on demand. More than I could ever hope to watch in one place.

04-09-2011, 02:27 PM	#28
Lemurion eReader Posts: 2,750 Karma: 4968470 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Note 5; PW3; Nook HD+; ChuWi Hi12; iPad	Reading goes at my speed - TV goes at its speed. There are a few shows I enjoy, but for the most part I prefer to read. Part of it is that I find it much easier to process the written word than spoken dialogue, and as a result I don't handle interruption well when watching a show or movie - if something interrupts me so that I have to stop the movie and get up two or three times I often lose interest and never finish watching it. I also find a lot of popular shows actively annoying - so that really turns me off much of TV. The majority of comedies make me angry instead of making me laugh, so I avoid a lot of them.

04-11-2011, 03:58 PM	#29
shanghaichica Guru Posts: 991 Karma: 5782970 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: Scribe,Kindle Oasis 3, iPad Pro 11,15 Pro Max,iPad mini 7,colorsoft	For entertainment, escapism, pleasure. A book is always a better experience than it's film counterpart. I do like TV shows and movies but I've always enjoyed reading books more than watching TV, ive always preferred using my own imagination. Nothing beats the excitement and that feeling of being transported to another place whilst immersed in a great book. I do read some non-fiction books to gain knowledge and sometimes memoirs/biographies to see life from another perspective but I mainly read for enjoyment.