Question 1: What inspires you to read?

[Adriana (Mea)]

I recently read this WordPress article posted by one of our new members! It made me think about why I spend hours reading instead of any of the other countless things I could be doing. Give it a quick read through and comment below on what inspires you to read.

https://pricelessbooks.wordpress.com/...

[Dylan]

I think I read for empathy I like see and understand people, their drives their loves the reasons their backgrounds. what do people do in the worst and best kind of situations, really exploring the human condition

[Chloe]

My inspiration for reading is there are whole other worlds to explore and different kinds of people to meet. It's like traveling without leaving your home. Reading is also a great escape from the real world ,which I need sometimes!

[Dylan]

true we all need a bit of escapism every now and then

[Adriana (Mea)]

Dylan- Yes! Understanding the human condition is part of the reason I decided to be a Philosophy major. Books allow people to acknowledge their collective existence and realize that we are all fighting the same types of battles. As you said, reading brings out our empathetic natures and builds bridges to different cultures. We're all just stardust, children of the same Earth!

[Adriana (Mea)]

Chloe- For many who do not have the means or time to travel, books are a blessing! I have learned so much about the world without stepping a foot outside my bedroom. Every time I read a book, I carry a new perspective that allows me to understand the world better. Recently finished "Wonder" and it made me think back on my interactions with people suffering from similar conditions to the main character. I don't want to give anything away, but I'll discuss it when the time comes. Great book suggestion by the way!

[Dylan]

Very true we are all just stardust, a book called "a short history of nearly everything" by Bill Bryson would really hit that point home.

[Adriana (Mea)]

Dylan- Added it to my want to read list haha very curious about it...

[Amber]

I believe I read because of my imagination and it is like a movie for your brain.

[Tracy]

I am huge reader, so I get asked this a lot. I read for three reasons. First, as others said, to travel to different worlds without leaving my house. Second, to hear stories about the lives of others I otherwise wouldn't hear. And third, because it's relaxing.

[Adriana (Mea)]

Amber- I agree with the movie bit. I have a distinct memory of reading the Harry Potter series as a kid and seeing the world grow before me (like a movie). When the movie version came out, I was surprised by the differences between my imagination and the film. The reader's struggle...

Tracy- The relaxation bit is huge for me. There are so many days when I come from work and I can't wait to make myself a cup of tea and continue my book adventure. A bit of an escapist mentality, but I'm only human.

Akram- That's awesome that your dad was able to get you interested in reading early on. One of the best parts about being born in this lifetime, is that we are able to take on so many hobbies/interests regardless of what our main life goal is.

[Abigale]

I read for pretty much all of the same reasons that you all read for but I'll add a new one. I read for personal inspiration and characters that I can model my life after. As silly as it may seem to look up to fictitious characters, I try to live up to some of the qualities of my favorite literary characters such as Jean Valjean, Atticus Finch, and Severus Snape (just to name a few).

[Max]

Abbie wrote: "I read for pretty much all of the same reasons that you all read for but I'll add a new one. I read for personal inspiration and characters that I can model my life after. As silly as it may seem t..."

I think book characters can definitely make great role models! And I definitely agree about Atticus Finch, in my opinion he is one of the best people ever depicted in literary form. I noticed from before that you named your dog Scout, was this perhaps a reference to "To Kill a Mockingbird?" :)

[Abigale]

Yep! I love TKAMB and I felt like Scout was a good name for a little black lab with lots of energy ☺️

I absolute love that book and even in today's time it's so relevant. I think more people need to read that book especially with the state of current events.

[Imogen]

My inspiration for reading is that I want to get away from Reality. Away from the friends who sends videos of things I'm not interested in. Away from the friends who spreads lie & causes drama. Away from family who just complain (about everything). Away from family who says I have too many book (I seriously don't have that many).

[Crystal]

Reading for me is an adventure to experience and learn
New things I have visited far off place and different worlds form witches to vampires, PI to gunslingers, murders to murder victims I love it all I look forward too reading a favorite author or finding a new one I just enjoy the journey

[Paula]

Abbie wrote: "Yep! I love TKAMB and I felt like Scout was a good name for a little black lab with lots of energy ☺️

I absolute love that book and even in today's time it's so relevant. I think more people need..."
That's so cool, Abbie. I adopted a rabbit a couple years ago and before I even knew if I was getting a doe or a buck, I decided on the name Scout. I figured it would work for a girl or a boy. TKAMB is one of the most perfect stories of all time, in my opinion.

[Samantha]

Mine is relaxation, learning something new, and escaping. I am a very diverse reader. I will pick up pretty much anything and read it but I like being able to see different cultures, perspectives, and different worlds.

[ROBERT]

It is almost like eating or sleeping. It is what I must do. Fortunately, it is largely free because libraries are one of the greatest institutions I have ever seen. I don't buy books because they were spilling over into my basement. I gave most of them to the library for their annual sale. Now with downloading books, it is more available than ever to everyone.

We should all include the library in our estate plan.

[Monika]

It gives me peace and purpose. I love adding to my catalog of knowledge. There is always something new to learn, a different point of view to experience. Plus its fun stepping into someone else's brain seeing how their imagination works. All the worlds that can be constructed within the realms of the mind.

[Paula]

ROBERT wrote: "It is almost like eating or sleeping. It is what I must do. Fortunately, it is largely free because libraries are one of the greatest institutions I have ever seen. I don't buy books because they w..."

Agreed on the library comments. I own many books, but rely on the library for most of my reading material. And I adore my librarians. Hats off to all of them.

[Kirsten]

Nothing inspires me to read. If I didn't have any books, I'd read the phone book!!

I love to read. It's all I want to do. When I was kid, I hated going to school and would fake being sick --- but not on library day!!

When I was even smaller (pre-kindergarten), my parents told me they'd teach me how to read at school. Well, they didn't! Not in kindergarten. So, my parents told me I was so mad I taught myself!!

I took books to school and read whenever I could. Books are my life!!

[Sebastian]

I like to read either because I have seen the movie/tv show or because I am interested in the topic or story. There are always books that spike my interest because they are well known or quite popular for a short time. It also helps me pass the time on my daily commute during autumn and winter when I take the tram and bus. Reading a good book can be quite dangerous because I have missed my stop once and come close to missing it a couple of times every year.

[Mopple]

Interest-life can be monotonous and boring-there, i said it!!
and books... well, where else can ghosts take over the world or perfect relationships blossom or you be sent back in time!
I live through my books!