Glass Empty or Glass Full? How does that affect your reading?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

When you read, does your worldview and philosophical viewpoint affect how you perceive books that you read to any degree, or do you turn that off when you read books?

There is no wrong or right answer here. Just discussing how we see books from our own philosophical eyeglasses or contacts.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

To add to my question, does how you feel when you are reading a book affect your overall opinion of the book?

[Pamela(AllHoney), Danger Zone]

Okay, I think it does. I think my mood often dictates what I'm going to read too. If I'm in a gloomy mood I may end up reading something dark like a gothic. I tend to normally be a somewhat happy person but I do have my moods. But I always want my HEA. Reading is often an escape for me, though. I think I can often push reality out of my mind depending on the book and thus escape into a totally different world.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I am a big time moody reader. So I do try to read books that match my mood.

I am big on the concept of redemption, grace, and love conquering all, so I gravitate to books that show this concept playing out. I think that's part of why I love dangerous heroes so much because they tend to be dark, but love opens them up and 'saves' them.

I try to be a positive person, so when I read books, I try to focus on the good things about the books I read. Sometimes, I do focus on negative things that I felt about a book. For instance, the last book I read has some really vulgar descriptions and it really affected my enjoyment.

[Rachel Annie]

The darker the stories in the news, the lighter I prefer the entertainment. If I'm reading for pleasure I want a feel-good ending. It's alright if the author takes me to dark places, but it should end with a HEA.

[Pamela(AllHoney), Danger Zone]

Yes, feel good books are great at picking me up at times. But it depends on how down I am and how good the book is.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Sometimes a book can be too sickly sweet, and being in a down mood, that can be irritating, especially when the character are too perfect.

[Pamela(AllHoney), Danger Zone]

I've read a few books that qualify.

[Sherry]

I am usually a "glass half empty" person but am trying to turn that around! However, I believe nothing comes without a struggle (at least that's always how it's been for me) so unless I am in an extremely odd (good) mood that day, I like a story line with drama and conflict but that ends happy in the end...

[Jessica]

I'm a optimist at heart. No matter what is going on I believe that things will work out for the best. I don't know if this outlook really effects my reading habits. Since I prefer books with a lot of action and drama. I do want a "happily ever after" though so I guess that it does.

[Pamela(AllHoney), Danger Zone]

I'm been referred to as Sally Sunshine a few times in my life so I guess I'm an optimist. Or least I give the appearance of one. ☺

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I love angst in a book, coupled with a very happy ending. I don't really care to read about people who have it 100% together getting their happy ending. I'd rather read about people who are on the messed up side finding a deliriously happy ending. It's more of a catharsis. I mean, I want genuinely good people to have things work out for them, but if things are 100% great the whole book, it's kind of flat for me.