Why do you enjoy reading?

[s1mp13m4n]

Hello everyone. I want to know what draws you to reading. Why do you enjoy it so much? Do you prefer a book over a movie of the same name?
I find that for myself, reading a book can be relaxing. I find that they go in to more detail about the characters and story itself. Right now I am reading Harry Potter and the books explain so much more than the movies do. I am interested in reading your thoughts on books and why you enjoy reading in general.

[Pomtroll]

I seldom watch t.v. or go to movies. I've always read. I guess I like the way I see the characters & setting in my mind over how someone else may interpret it. Often if I see a movie after i read a book, it is nothing like what I saw in my own mind while I was reading.

Plus there are no commercials.

[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.

[yakuzaboss]

I enjoy reading because it entertains me. I would rather read a book than watch television simply because there really isn't anything worth watching, for me anyway. When I read a book, in my mind it plays out like a movie. It may take awhile for the characters faces to become what I envision they might look like but when those details materialize, the book is better than any movie to television show.

[queentess]

Originally Posted by s1mp13m4n

Hello everyone. I want to know what draws you to reading. Why do you enjoy it so much? Do you prefer a book over a movie of the same name?
I find that for myself, reading a book can be relaxing. I find that they go in to more detail about the characters and story itself. Right now I am reading Harry Potter and the books explain so much more than the movies do. I am interested in reading your thoughts on books and why you enjoy reading in general.

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.

Reading I have to do when I have no other responsibilities, because I tend to be drawn into the story and don't pay attention to my environment. (In other words: I can't read while I'm watching my toddler...) I like to watch tv while knitting.

I don't think that tv shows or movies are necessarily worse than the book, but they are different. You cannot use the same devices in a book that you can on screen and vice versa. My problem is that I usually read the book before I see the movie, and this means I have preformed ideas about how characters look and sound. When the movie doesn't match my expectations, it's somewhat jarring.

Specifically with regards to the HP movies, I LOVE the books, but I also find the movies to be completely magical. Not sure which I prefer.

[Maggie Leung]

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 own several TVs, but haven't had a TV connection in years. It's not that I didn't enjoy watching some TV, but I didn't find it as enjoyable as reading. I still watch DVDs and I see movies in theaters. Overall, I get way more enjoyment from books, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy movies, too.

[s1mp13m4n]

I hardly turn on my TV except to watch some shows such as car related shows on the Speed channel and the Powerblock on Spike TV. I enjoy learning so I watch the science channel and discovery. Other than that I hardly turn it one, so maybe 5hours of tv a week. My wife got me in to reading and now I am reading about 1 book a week. I am really enjoying it.

[queentess]

Originally Posted by Maggie Leung

I own several TVs, but haven't had a TV connection in years. It's not that I didn't enjoy watching some TV, but I didn't find it as enjoyable as reading. I still watch DVDs and I see movies in theaters. Overall, I get way more enjoyment from books, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy movies, too.

I can understand that. These types of threads always bring out the people who say things like "I don't own a tv and haven't watched a show in 25 years! Books are awesome! Rawr!"

We visit RedBox quite a bit for movies, though I'm finding myself loathe to go to the theater with all the mobile phones and texting... I have a handful of shows I follow: Mad Men, Parenthood, How I Met Your Mother, NBA games for my local team...

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by queentess

I can understand that. These types of threads always bring out the people who say things like "I don't own a tv and haven't watched a show in 25 years! Books are awesome! Rawr!"

We visit RedBox quite a bit for movies, though I'm finding myself loathe to go to the theater with all the mobile phones and texting... I have a handful of shows I follow: Mad Men, Parenthood, How I Met Your Mother, NBA games for my local team...

But books are awesome! Rawr! Lol.

I love "Mad Men." I'd heard raves about it for years and finally checked it out. Then I went on a "Mad Men" binge, thanks to Netflix.

[Belle2Be]

Because sometimes I need an escape from my economy busted reality and love to dwell in a fantasy wealthy reality for awhile.

[Caltsar]

I read for two different reasons: I read fiction for pleasure and escape and I read non-fiction because I like to absorb facts and information... even when most of it is "useless."

I do also watch TV a lot, but most of the TV I watch is documentaries... often on in the background as I'm working on another project. I do find that fiction TV is nice when I'm in a mood where I'm less focused. Getting lost in a book is fun, but I have a hard time doing it unless everything is finished. Watching TV allows me to split my focus between whatever I'm working on and the entertainment. (Though I no longer have cable... Netflix has more than enough to keep me happy!)

[DixieGal]

I love TV!

[TGS]

According the this article, much of the pleasure of reading might come from the hedonic experience of anticipation.

[Fayth]

Books are moving in a way that movies and games just can't match for me. A good example is LOTR. Theoden's speech is definitely a remarkable scene in the movie, but it is nothing in comparison to that same thing in the book.

[Nyssa]

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.

Reading I have to do when I have no other responsibilities, because I tend to be drawn into the story and don't pay attention to my environment. (snip)

I don't think that tv shows or movies are necessarily worsethan the book, but they are different. You cannot use the same devices in a book that you can on screen and vice versa. My problem is that I usually read the book before I see the movie, and this means I have preformed ideas about how characters look and sound. When the movie doesn't match my expectations, it's somewhat jarring.

Specifically with regards to the HP movies, I LOVE the books, but I also find the movies to be completely magical. Not sure which I prefer.

What she said...except, I do not knit, my children are no longer toddlers, although they still need supervision, and I find the HP books far more enjoyable than the movies (I will admit that the casting, and scenery were fantastic! )

Personally, I've been reading since I was very young and have always found it as a great way to relax, have fun and escape. Reading was also my primary source of entertainment during my pre-teen, and early teen years. Although my attention has wavered this way and that over the years, I have always been able to return to good book.