Amazon Kindle discussion
Book Related Banter
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When did reading become such a negative thing?
Nope I never get that, though my entire family is bookworms and my wife's family appreciates reading. Some people at work at surprised how much I read but it's never a negative thing.
That is why it upsets me when I get comments like - we will fix it... Like its something that needs fixing.
I think those who make such negative comments either are secretly jealous (of how you use your spare time) or maybe don't read well enough to read a book (not meant to sound offensive). Given what's on TV these days, I'd rather have my nose buried in a book any given day! Also, I think reading should be encouraged starting with kindergarten! Our kids today spend so much time on the computer or playing X-box or whatever. I think the more a person reads, the more they can contribute to conversations around them, etc & it's been proven they do better in school. So, I know I went kinda crazy but reading is NEVER a negative thing! Just ignore those who want to make you feel bad about reading books!
I have a friend who has made comments about me reading all the time, and I tell her it's no different than her obsession to work every free minute she has (she chooses her schedule, but not because she needs the money so much). I've gotten to the point that I pretty much ignore any comments about my reading!! Do the same sweetie!! :)
I get the same so I know how you feel! I try not to let it get to me and just keep reading. You are part of an on line book club of an amazing number of people that feel the same as you do! Reading Rocks and for those who don't read it's their loss!
It happens ALL THE TIME and I am very young so I will have to get use to it through time... and yes when they say that we will fix it is like this is not something it needs to be fix so... but yeah reading is NOT a bad thing, it helps your brain more than we think it does and besides I love to ravel trough books ;D so ENJOY your reading and don't stop doing it! <3
You guys are all awesome! :) I knew I would find understanding here. Like I was telling my coworkers, there is a lot of us and we understand each other and stick together, so they can think whatever they want! :)Reading does ROCK!
My dad used to tell me and my sisters that reading was like having a huge bunch of keys that would open all kinds of secret doors. We all are voracious readers as adults, so we are still opening doors. I feel a bit sorry that some folks don't understand this.
Judy wrote: "My dad used to tell me and my sisters that reading was like having a huge bunch of keys that would open all kinds of secret doors. We all are voracious readers as adults, so we are still opening d..."I agree w/reading opens so many doors. I feel so bad for those who are illiterate (not sure if I spelled that right!). It just amazes me how many people in our society can't read. And for those who can but aren't interested in books just boggles my mind!
I feel, sincerely, that people that do not have a truly passionate experience through the act of reading are missing out on SO MUCH OF LIFE. That's me as a passionate reader however. I could gush about reading all day long and I'm a life time avid reader. I'd rather be reading would be my bumper sticker if I had one. I do not know many people in my circles that read, or read anymore (I'm 36 and I have three children and I am married) and I think that's lame lol. I don't mind waits at the doctors office or anywhere else because hey that's just extra reading time for me lol :)
When I go on vacation, I relish picking up a whole stack of books to read on vacation. That's what I do on vacation! Nonstop reading! My friends think I'm insane and say 'why don't you just relax?!' and I reply this is actually my ideal relaxation.
They all say they don't have the time- but it's like anything else it either is a priority or not. They are missing out, not me.
Judy wrote: "My dad used to tell me and my sisters that reading was like having a huge bunch of keys that would open all kinds of secret doors. We all are voracious readers as adults, so we are still opening d..."Your dad reminds me of my dad. He always pushed me to read and spent hours with me as a kid reading to me and teaching me how to read... and while it took me some time to really get into reading, today I couldn't imagine my life without it. I get excited just thinking about continuing to read whatever book I am reading. :) I feel almost silly. hehe!
SubterraneanCatalyst wrote: "I feel, sincerely, that people that do not have a truly passionate experience through the act of reading are missing out on SO MUCH OF LIFE. That's me as a passionate reader however. I could gush a..."I get you completely! I used to do that a lot on my vacations. Just read! I still do it. There is nothing more relaxing than losing yourself in a good book.
I also hear a lot, I have kids, job, this, that... I don't have time. So I think people like you are great because, I believe, if you love something, you will always find time to enjoy it. Keep reading! :)
My best day is one spent sewing and listening to an audiobook...two favorite things at once. Life without books is unimaginable.
it could also be that reading was forced on them growing up and so they don't enjoy it and don't understand how anyone else could. I never remember my dad reading growing up, it was my mom that introduced me to my love of books; but i didn't find out until I was a teen - neither his mom or dad read well, and so reading for him was always a bad experience. The first book I truely remember him reading for fun in my 30 years was the Da Vinci Code a few years back
My Mother read often but I don't ever remember my father picking up a book.
I had this a lot at school, none of my classmates could understand why I read so much, and would get very annoyed with me because I'd get so lost in a book I wouldn't hear them talking to me. Their loss.
According to Wikipedia, television was invented sometime between 1873 and 1925. It's been all downhill from there.
You are either a reader and "get" it, or you don't. Reading more challenging than television, requiring more discipline to experience and enjoy, and there is time and effort involved in the process. You don't get your story teased, developed, and resolved in half-hour. Then there's that factor of people being "forced" to read uninteresting things in school, with less emphasis on reading for pleasure than I always thought there should be.
I have a very large soapbox related to this issue.
I keep thinking one of these days I'll go postal on the next person who finds out I'm an author and their first reaction is, "That's awesome...when does the movie come out?" Yes, I even have friends that won't read my book, not for lack of interest, but for lack of visual special effects (their words).
stormhawk wrote: "According to Wikipedia, television was invented sometime between 1873 and 1925. It's been all downhill from there.
You are either a reader and "get" it, or you don't. Reading more challenging t..."
LOL Stormhawk I'm the same way. I've read lots of articles regarding the decline of long form literacy in our country and I feel that many parents are slacking off in this department!
I expect my son to read a for several hours a week (he's in fifth grade) whether his school requires it or not. My stance is this: you read, if you are reading something you do not enjoy, finish it and we'll figure out something more fun for you to read. I mean this in a genre exploring way. I don't expect him to read classics yet necessarily. But what makes me angry is that other parents down the street mentioned directly to my son that my expectations were too hardcore! WTH! I almost marched to their front door and lectured. I am just shocked, the father in that household is a lawyer for crying out loud! How could they think having my son read a moderate amount per week is too strict! GRRR. I'd like my children to be able to read when they go to college without struggling, being able to glean information from context, and develop ideas, dammit.
When they have to write or read I don't want them freaking out because of their inability to do so. People expect too little out of their children regarding reading, period IMO.
This sounds like some kind of rampant anti-intellectualism and strikes me as being more than a little disheartening. To read is to grapple with ideas, and that's something everyone should do to evolve as individuals.
My office mate also has a Kindle, so he likes to read. But apparently, he can't figure out why I'd read *fiction*!! He only reads books on how to make money after retirement. Honestly, I think that's a waste of a perfectly good Kindle ;)
Michelle wrote: "My office mate also has a Kindle, so he likes to read. But apparently, he can't figure out why I'd read *fiction*!! He only reads books on how to make money after retirement. Honestly, I think t..."Oh wow! That really is a waste of a Kindle!
I personally like fiction because I get my dose of reality every day in my regular life. hehe!
My Mom and I were always readers. I can remember my Dad commenting to either me or my Mom that "you always have your nose in a book". Then he discovered westerns and Mickey Spillane. He finally got it after all those years. I guess it ran in the family because my brother suddenly started reading a few years ago. Now he brings me books that he says I should read. LOL
Michelle wrote: "My office mate also has a Kindle, so he likes to read. But apparently, he can't figure out why I'd read *fiction*!! He only reads books on how to make money after retirement. Honestly, I think t..."LOL. I have a co-worker that unless a book is non-fiction or doesn't invoke deep thought in him, he doesn't like the book. I think can't you relax and loose yourself. Sometimes reading a book just for fun is awesome!!
My husband also makes comments about my continual reading. (Clear throat) Did I mention his TV habit? I just tell him we all have different passions.
Dalene wrote: "My husband also makes comments about my continual reading. (Clear throat) Did I mention his TV habit? I just tell him we all have different passions."LOL, I always read when my husband watches TV. He flips and flips through channels and I never like what he's watching. It keeps the peace for me to be buried in a book.
I will say though, that as far as negativity re: reading a lot, my husband complains that the rest of the world doesn't exist when I'm into a great book and I ignore all else. Well kind of...:)
I was concerned for a while that TV, then computers and the internet, were discouraging reading among young people. But then Harry Potter came out and was such a sensation. And since joining GR, I've become aware of how much YA fiction is being read. I hate vampires, but I'm really encouraged to see how many young people are reading. The world may survive after all.
I used to date a guy who didn't read and bugged me all the time about how much time I spent reading. But I married a guy who loves to read as much or more than I do. A lot of our conversations revolve around books :)
I am thrilled to hear other people say this. The best one I've heard was from my step daughter "On my god, are you gonna read that whole book?" So I just gotta be me..I reply "Oh no,I will read it till I get to the good part, then I will burn it."
Ann wrote: "I am thrilled to hear other people say this. The best one I've heard was from my step daughter "On my god, are you gonna read that whole book?" So I just gotta be me..I reply "Oh no,I will read i..."LOL!! That is a good one!
I showed up at work for a 12 hour shift one weekend, and pulled 5 books out of my bag which were at various stages of completion - one of the guys on shift just looked at my bug eyed...and told me that was more books than he would read in a year
Dee wrote: "I showed up at work for a 12 hour shift one weekend, and pulled 5 books out of my bag which were at various stages of completion - one of the guys on shift just looked at my bug eyed...and told me ..."And that is the sad reality. I feel like I'm being judgmental or even elitist for feeling this way but really, can we not as a society influence people to understand that taking a voyage into at the very least the universe of imagination is a rejuvenation of the soul? Or at least that they can learn something new? /sigh.
I wish...lol! I read a study a few years back, maybe it was in the times, that said the average american only reads 1 book a year...so those of us that read in the several hunderds are making up for those that don't read at all...its scary
Other than here, people boggle when I say something like, "Well, i read over 100 books a year, and have at least since I was in high school."Prior to getting on goodreads, I kept a written list. Still do. It's in an old-style copybook. I'm on my second one. A page a month.
stormhawk wrote: "Other than here, people boggle when I say something like, "Well, i read over 100 books a year, and have at least since I was in high school."Prior to getting on goodreads, I kept a written list. ..."
Oh, now I'll start the thread on how the kids cannot write correctly and how that in fact is destroying long form literacy as well (unfortunately, that is actually true, can't find the article that cites the study..so you know, google it :] ).
SubterraneanCatalyst wrote: "stormhawk wrote: "Other than here, people boggle when I say something like, "Well, i read over 100 books a year, and have at least since I was in high school."Prior to getting on goodreads, I kep..."
That is so neat! My sister & I used to keep written lists, too! We started doing that when we were in our early teens & kept it up...only now we list them here on GR & I also list them in a document on my laptop! I compare this year to last year, etc. & also helps me remember when I THINK I've read a book & I have or haven't. :)
I've lost more computers than I've lost copybooks ...
A written list? You are so organized. I never thought to write down what I read. Now I kind of wish I had. Before joining good reads I used to think I read maybe twenty books a year, but since I started keeping track in January, I've read 84 books this year. Maybe I do read too much? Nah.
Jennifer wrote: "A written list? You are so organized. I never thought to write down what I read. Now I kind of wish I had. Before joining good reads I used to think I read maybe twenty books a year, but since I ..."
You can never read too many books...lol...This year, I picked up a Monthly Planner at the dollar store & in addition to putting "read" books here on GR & in a document on my computer, I also write in the planner the day I finish a book & total it up at the end of the month (for that month). I guess I sound a bit OCD. Trust me, my books are the only part of me which is OCD!! :)
@Jennifer: You don't always have to start your list in January. If you wanted to start it now, you could start in Nov. & finish your "year" in Nov. 2012. Years ago, I would do my list from Aug. to Aug. I figure it's YOUR list, keep it the way you want to! When I joined GR, I started my yearly challenge in Jan., because that's how it's done.
Wow, you guys are amazing! 84 books, 100+ books a year. I feel so small right now. :) I tend to read big series, so it takes me some time to finish a book because I do have days when I might not read more than a page or 2... I wish I kept track of the books I read throughout my school and college years... I think I might have forgotten half of them... :( Oh, and the statistic that an average American reads 1 book a year... I am speechless... Just sad...
I get so sick of people that think that there are better things to do then read. I figure if I'm not being antisocial then reading is not a problem. But I must admit the look on peoples faces is priceless when I tell them approxametly how many books I read. And since I discovered goodreads i have been keeping track. I'm not organized enough to write down every book I read but at least this site will do it for me.
I think my mom is one of those people that don't get it. Her eyes aren't very good so I have been trying to talk her into getting a Kindle because she can change the font. She has some large print books that were discards from the library but I don't see her reading them. Me, my niece and my boyfriend's mom all have Kindles. Each different generation LOL. I only have generation 1. I want to get a new one. My boyfriend will probably get his first Kindle soon. He loves to read but doesn't read quite as much as I do because he works a lot and doesn't have as much time. We like some of the same books though. It is great to be able to talk about John Green, The Hunger Games and more!
I don't understand how anyone could NOT read. I feel weird if I go a whole day without reading or listening to an audiobook. I read in all formats: ebook, paper, audio. I also collect books from thrift stores, tag sales, library discards ect.
My mom says I don't need more books because I have "too many books and ereaders too" but how can I possibly have too many? How can I pass up classic hardcover children's books printed in the 1960s? My mom got me 4 double sided ones from a tag sale despite me not needing more books... but if I had my own money I would have bought the whole box (15 or 20) I think I may have a problem!
I tend to read more than most of the people I know...but not all of them. I have several friends and quite a few family members who read more than most people. It is always easy to find the people who read...and they tend to be the people that I want to converse with when in a crowd. However, people who don't read do seem to look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them how many books I read in a given period of time. I am very passionate about reading and ALWAYS have a book or my kindle with me. Always. I read every second I get. My husband plays softball and I hear a lot of comments from the guys on his team or their wives because I always have one book or another out before and between games. What those people don't seem to get is that reading is the same thing for me as softball is for them...it's what I love to do. It is how I choose to spend my free time. It is what I enjoy. I HATE it when someone sneers at me for reading so many books and says something like, "well, I just don't have time for that." As if I somehow have less of a life because I read. No...I make time to read. I hardly watch any tv during the week. Instead, I read when I settle in at night. I don't play on the internet during my breaks or downtime. I read. I don't complain about waiting rooms or long car rides. I use that time to read. When I do watch tv, I don't skip commercials. I read through them. Reading isn't something extra for me. I need it. I can't imagine not reading a book for a few days, much less for a whole year. Some people just don't understand that. My husband and I have been together for 6 years and I have never seen him so much as look at a book. He doesn't understand how important they are to me or how much of who I am is because of my passion for reading. Some people just don't get that...and it is so sad to me. However, as we can tell from this site, there are people out there who understand. I am now in my seventh year of teaching gifted kids and most of my students are the type that tend to be avid and passionate readers. I absolutely love when they come in to class and ask about what I've read lately and talk about what they are reading. I love that they all carry a book around with them...just in case they finish their work and have time for a chapter. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
Amber wrote: "I tend to read more than most of the people I know...but not all of them. I have several friends and quite a few family members who read more than most people. It is always easy to find the people ..."Well said Amber!!!!! I can remember being in school & always having a book with me. I would fly thru my classwork so I could read. I'm like you, I never leave home w/out a book or my Kindle!!
Can't say I've ever experienced the negative thing. Most of my family are readers as are most of my friends. Those who don't read wonder where I find the time to do so. As with any hobby that you want to do, you make time for it.
Amber wrote: "I tend to read more than most of the people I know...but not all of them. I have several friends and quite a few family members who read more than most people. It is always easy to find the people ..."I'm the same exact way!!
SubterraneanCatalyst wrote: "stormhawk wrote: "According to Wikipedia, television was invented sometime between 1873 and 1925. It's been all downhill from there.
You are either a reader and "get" it, or you don't. Reading ..."
SubterraneanCatalyst, when I was a kid my brothers, sister and I had a set time for bed no matter how old we were. (Our parents were ready for "their" time) But we allowed to stay up an hour later if we read. I think that is why I love to read so much. I am 50 years old now and still in the habit of reading everyday. We had a rule for our kids that T.V. (& now Computer) go off at a certain time. Then it's reading time. When they were little we read to them, when they got a little older we took turns reading out loud to each other. Now our kids are all adults and they all love reading. The Harry Potter books were really fun to read as a family. My brother did the same with his kids he even read Harry Potter with the proper accents. I can't understand that anyone would say you were too hard on your kid for having him read. You can learn anything, go anywhere in the world while reading a book!
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction (other topics)The Complete Maus (other topics)
Even my husband's family is looking at me as if I have a flaw for loving to read. And its something that needs to be fixed because there is better things to do to spend time???
What happened to this world?