Why do you read?

[Charles]

Do you read for pleasure or to be enlightened? The spy/tbriller novel THE OLD SPOOK strives to do both. It was written to provide the reader with an enjoyable tale of adventure and intrigue and to inform about the art of espionage and the craft of intelligence. Moreover, it hopes to get one thinking about the question, "if government keeps secrets from its citizens, how does that affect the democratic process?" A tall order, but that's what the book is all about: The Old Spook

[Jim]

More than one hundred years ago, Samuel Longhorne Clemens, aka: Mark Twain, succinctly and eloquently expressed his opinion of why one should read.

"The man who does not read has no advantage of the man who cannot read."

[Garrison]

I read for both business and pleasure. The business part of it comes from soaking in the writing style of the authors I enjoy so that I can apply it to my own style. The pleasure part of it is knowing that it was a fast-paced read and didn’t leave me spending five minutes on one single page. There’s one more part of this equation that I haven’t mentioned yet: accomplishment. Reading a book feels like I’m actually getting something done work-wise. I don’t feel that way after I watch a movie or a TV show. Reading is hard work and when you get to the final page, you know it’s a worthy feat.

[Karey]

Where else are you going to be able to step from a wardrobe and have tea with a faun? Or piggyback along with an ops group by way of W.E.B. Griffin, or have a hot..HAWT lover WITH fangs??!!

[Ottilie]

To escape, something to relax :)

[Charles]

Vicki wrote: "My ultimate goal when I read is to find something that takes me away from the everyday grind, teaches me something in the process and makes me feel better about the world I live in. My search is on..."
Hi Vicki; i'm not sure my spy novel THE OLD SPOOK meets all your criteria, but it is interesting and informative; gives you some food for thought and takes you to far-away places; it's serious but not taxing and even has some light touches; read the reviews on the following link and see what you think:
The Old Spook

[Richard]

I read because I like to discover new places, especially places I've never imagined. Also, I like understanding someone else's interpretation of the vast "human condition" and describing something we all understand in a insightful way.

[Richard]

Vicki wrote: "Richard wrote: "I read because I like to discover new places, especially places I've never imagined. Also, I like understanding someone else's interpretation of the vast "human condition" and descr..."

Thanks for replying Vicki,

Travel definitely. Like how some novels are great at telling of a particular place. For example, like James Joyce or Junot Diaz. Also, I love escaping to another reality like in Tolkein or Jemsin books. Do you like fiction novels that focus on recreating a locale or on world building? Or, both?

[Harriet]

Hi Vicki;
Try The Taxi Chronicles and Taxi High. They will make you laugh.

[Harriet]

Vicki wrote: "Who's the author? They sound familiar to me."
Hi Vicki;
That would be me. I'm working on a series with same characters and location (Northampton, Ma.). Let me know what you think of the free sample.
harriet

[[deleted user]]

It seems my reading used to cover most of the reasons discussed in this post, however I now find myself taking a somewhat more studied approach. Of course I still look for plot and characters, setting, and the whole story line. At the same time I'm always paying close attention to style, first chapter, chapter closes, character development, final chapter, language, the use of trash talk or gutter speak for the sake of being "cool" without really contributing anything meaningful. I basically disdain the use of "foul" language just because you can. This does not mean I take a puritanical approach at all to my reading or writing. Well placed and written sex scenes can be more than okay so long as they are not created for a gratuitous purpose.

[Harriet]

I will put The Old Spook on my Nook list. I'm constantly in need of Nook reading. I swore I would never move to electronic reading. Then my 94 year old mother got a Nook because it came free if you bought the NY Times electronically. She loves the Times and now she can read all of it on her Nook. I still hit the library but electronic has a larger selection. I'll let you know.

[[deleted user]]

Vicki wrote: "Well said Phillip. Do you say this from the perspective of an author or reader? Or both?"
Both as an author and reader. I am far from a prude in any form, but I do have certain comfort levels in my reading and writing. I don't feel compelled to necessarily follow the crowd trending down a path I'm just not comfortable with. I firmly believe there is plenty of creative space available for all of us.
Thanks for your acknowledgement Vicki.
Philip

[sonya]

I read what I like for entertainment