Why what you are reading matters

[Ann]

http://bookriot.com/2012/08/23/why-wh...
Explains why some books make me happy and others not so much.

[Sherry]

interesting article, ann. thanks for sharing!

[Carol/Bonadie]

Interesting article. It got me to thinking about the people who post in this group, and our wide range of tastes in mystery/thriller books, and others. I'm not so much into the fantasy, vampire series, don't read many cozies (except British drawing room type mysteries, if they can be considered cozies), and over the years have distanced myself from the most violent and dark mystery series (e.g. Karin Slaughter). That still leaves a lot, but much of it is not very upbeat or realistic IMO. But these books do (mostly) deal with people whose lives seem realistic or who face realistic challenges in their lives outside the crimes they are being asked to solve.

I do read the occasional romance, and those unrealistically "happily ever after" books do make me smile. Couldn't take a steady diet, though, that would indeed depress me as the author states.

I read mostly to escape, although I do read the occasional NF about an era or a person I am interested in, and that connection to the real world can be thrilling. Amazingly, I have three nonfiction books going at the moment: In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin, The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration and Yes, Chef: A Memoir

[Sherry]

i usually start my summer vacation with those "happily ever after books" -what a friend of mine refers to as "pink books" because the covers are often pink..lol
i can only take so many of them, though because they make my brain turn to mush (be quiet, barry)

[Ann]

Carol: I love the NF list you are currently reading!
The article helped me understand why my mood is so important when selecting what I am currently reading.
Which of course is several books at a time, with mood dictating which one I pick up (along with due dates to motivate me) ;) I can't read more than one violent and dark book at a time, and it needs to have a sense that the "good guys" are going to triumph over evil.
Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I have three nonfiction books going at the moment: In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin, The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration and Yes, Chef: A Memoir "

[Ann]

Exactly, Sherry - sometimes a happily ever after is just what you need. More often I like a good book with a strong MC who beats the odds and wins over the challenges she or he faces.
Sherry wrote: "i usually start my summer vacation with those "happily ever after books" -what a friend of mine refers to as "pink books" because the covers are often pink..lol
i can only take so many of them..."

[BarryP]

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Interesting article. It got me to thinking about the people who post in this group, and our wide range of tastes in mystery/thriller books, and others. I'm not so much into the fantasy, vampire s..."

What could I possibly add?

[Shomeret]

My reading isn't usually governed by mood, but I do like variety. When I end up reading too many similar books, they lose their impact for me. I start getting bored and restless which in my case leads to excessive snacking and weight gain.

My current print read is NF, but my previous print read was a wonderful children's novel (and I do mean children, not YA). On my Kindle I'm currently reading literary fiction, but my previous read on Kindle was a short story about an autistic boy who develops a connection with whales.

I'm afraid that the only mystery I've read in August was for my mystery F2F group. I usually do read several more, but I've had to return mysteries unread because of very adverse library math. The one I managed to read was on my Kindle.

[LizH]

Interesting article, altho I am not sure I agree. I feel that your state of mind can determine whether you stick with a certain book (perfect example when I tried reading Julia Spencer Fleming years ago and couldn't get into them, but now I just flew thru 6 books in a week by her), but I don't think I am sad because I read chick lit and my life can't compare. I do agree with most of you that I have to change genres frequently. Can't do too many dark mystery thrillers in a row and can't do too much of romance or chick lit either. I usually will read one or two of each, and switch.

[Ann]

It is an interesting topic, isn't it! I agree with all of the comments, because my mercurial nature and methods for selecting and reading books varies by each day. I try not to read and listen to a similar type of book at the same time. (Not two police procedural types, or two fantasy types, etc.)
At times my mood dictates what I read, sometimes it doesn't. Whether I stick with a certain book is usually more about whether it interests me at the time, or grabs me into the story; but on occasion it is because of the way the book is likely to make me feel.
I don't like too many dark mysteries in a row either, or too many in a row of anything really.
I do sometimes find my mood at work or upon arriving home after the daily commute is influenced by what I read when a book is a really good one that draws me in and makes me relate to the tribulations or successes of the characters more personally. More often than not, I shed the book like a skin I have been wearing and don't look back.

[Shomeret]

Very dark and depressing reads make me temporarily anhedonic. This means an inability to enjoy life. I don't enjoy anything I do if I'm trapped in an author's pessimistic worldview. This is why I'm not much of a fan of Scandinavian M/Ts and I gave up on Jonathan Kellerman because I felt I needed to be mentally flossed after I read one of his books.

Books that I find inspiring will give me a lift and make me feel inspired also.

[Dan in AZ]

"mentally flossed"

What a great word picture that presents.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Daniel wrote: ""mentally flossed"

What a great word picture that presents."

I had the same reaction. Great term, Shom. Even though I do read Jonathan Kellerman, LOL.

[Brakedrum]

Ann wrote: "http://bookriot.com/2012/08/23/why-wh...
Explains why some books make me happy and others not so much."

Thanks for the interesting article.
I enjoy mysteries, but after a few, I need a break. I find the few series I read, I know the "hero" will be okay in the end. This also prevents me from getting into more series. It would be nice to find a stand alone once in a while. Also, because mysteries are so neatly wrapped up in the end, I switch over to true crime. In the real world, not all the good guys win and it can take months and years to solve the crime. It gives me a reality check.
I also like NF, especially true events or a biography of someone I would like to learn more about.
I have read two romance novels since the 1970's. One was a free book and one was borrowed. Didn't enjoy them. I think of an old friend who used to read these religiously, not knowing her hubby was having an affair with her best friend, no, not Me! She was so wrapped up in these, she was blind to not see what was going on.
As far as SF, I've tried but with the strange names and planets, I'm hopelessly lost. I do enjoy SF movies tho.
As far as fantasy goes, a little bit. I liked the old Ann Rice, Harry Potter and the King Arthur books by a female author. I just can't remember her name just now.
I've always liked a creepy, horror book,especially if it's a page turner.
I do not read disfunctional family relationships. Too depressing for me.

[Ann]

With that variety of likes for book genres, Lorraine -- you will never be bored! I bet the female author of the King Arthur books you liked was Marion Zimmer Bradley with The Mists of Avalon, etc.

[Merrilee in AZ]

I love that we all read different things. Mostly M/T but a little of everything

[Melodie]

Ann wrote: "With that variety of likes for book genres, Lorraine -- you will never be bored! I bet the female author of the King Arthur books you liked was Marion Zimmer Bradley with The Mists of Avalon, etc."

Or maybe Mary Stewart???

[Ann]

Melodie: I loved Mary Stewart's books!
Could probably have been either author, I bet, Lorraine.

[Brakedrum]

Melodie wrote: "Ann wrote: "With that variety of likes for book genres, Lorraine -- you will never be bored! I bet the female author of the King Arthur books you liked was Marion Zimmer Bradley with The Mists of A..."

Melodie, yes it's Mary Stewart.

[Brakedrum]

Ann wrote: "With that variety of likes for book genres, Lorraine -- you will never be bored! I bet the female author of the King Arthur books you liked was Marion Zimmer Bradley with The Mists of Avalon, etc."

Yes, Ann, with that variety of genres, I'll never catch up to my growing stacks.

[Donnajo]

interesting article. I so think alot of time it's a mood thing. with doing alot of grp reads lately sticking with the same author at least once a month each month I start feeling at times I'm getting tired of it. certain authors I'm okay with but maybe a fantasy vampire book I find maybe it's unrealistic I get tired of easier. I have to stick in the romance, chick lit every once in awhile. same with the mysteries, thrillers etc. I'm finding I'm checking out alot of different authors this year probably having the nook and getting free books. figuring out what I like and don't like or who.
Mary stewart I remember reading one of her books loved it so much I ran out and bought everything else that had of her's. or most of what they had. (remember those days) I still haven't read any of those books. still sitting on my bookcase. maybe I need to pull one out when I have a free reading space to fill.
I find having finished a great book over a week ago at the shore now I'm slowing down again can't get settled on a book or can't get though one even if I'm enjoying it. I think since I was rushing with getting the final books in for the reading contest finished now I can't get motivated to keep up the speed.

[Ann]

DJ i know what you mean...After an especially great book the reading bug does slow down from the disappointing inkling that the next book is even just potentially a sort of let down.

[Donnajo]

And lately at times I hate even starting a new book until it grabs me at least.

[Shomeret]

Since I'm doing the Around the World challenge, I'm very quick to put books on hold that take place in a country where I haven't read anything for the challenge. Unfortunately, way too many of them are DNF because they're not for me. Right now I'm soldiering through a potentially interesting fantasy that takes place in Russia for the Around the World challenge. I keep hoping that it will get better. It is dispiriting and gives me less of an appetite for reading.