Reading Reasons
As I've been reading the comments to various posts here at Romance Worth Killing For, I've noticed many references to reading for "escape." That interests me because I read for many reasons, but escape really isn't one of them.
I'm a voracious reader, who reads across many forms and genres. I read for information, entertainment and education. To me, entertainment doesn't quite equal escape.
Do you read for escape? Or for other reasons? Or both? If you do define your reading as "escape reading," what exactly does that mean?
I'm a voracious reader, who reads across many forms and genres. I read for information, entertainment and education. To me, entertainment doesn't quite equal escape.
Do you read for escape? Or for other reasons? Or both? If you do define your reading as "escape reading," what exactly does that mean?
Labels: Linda's Posts
posted by Linda Winfree at 8:58 AM
11Comments:
I would definitely say both. I read for fun and knowledge and sometimes the books, especially romances, provide escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And that's one of the reasons I love to read so much
Me, too. Both. :) I read for entertainment first and foremost, because I enjoy reading more than watching TV. But there are a lot of times I'll pick up a book because it is an escape - a chance to live a life very much unlike mine. A life without dirty dishes and piles of laundry and three kids constantly asking, "Mommy? Mommy? Mommy????"
Eli, I think you've nailed why I never really think of reading as "escape": "a chance to live a live very much unlike mine."
When I read, I don't tend to "live" the lives of the characters. I'm along for the ride, but I always remain outside the book, if that makes sense. I think it's the English major in me, LOL.
When I read non-fiction, it always seems to be related to writing -- so there I'm reading for information.
But when I pick up a novel, it's totaly escape -- escape from daily problems, stresses, complications. I do live the life of the character. I'm in their skin (if the author allows, of course). And it's the thrill of...as E said...living a life very much UNlike my own.
:-)
Interesting, Lin. What's even funnier is I never feel like I'm living the character when I read first person - only third. First person is so intrusive on "me" that I immediately think, "Oh, I would never do that," and it ruins that "escape" for me. But third person? For some reason, I get dragged into the story and then I do live it.
I read for entertainment, and I read compulsively. :lol: If I'm sitting down on the couch, I have a book in my hands. TV doesn't hold my interest--even during the commercials, I have to get up and walk around the house, but when I'm reading I can sit still for a while and just enjoy it.
I read for several reasons: entertainment, escape, knowledge, etc. But first and foremost is pure pleasure and I'm totally immersed in that world and those characters (yes, author allowing). So for me, that's the 'escape'.
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I read for entertainment. I enjoy reading more than watching TV too. I like the written word, the images it conjures, more than being forced to "see" the story through the eyes of a director or cameraman. My favorite POV is first person. And I like to read about people who are similar to me, only bigger than life with a little more adventure in their world than I care to live (usually). So, I guess I don't read to escape, just to enhance.
I read for enjoyment and/or knowledge. At one time I might have read for escape, but not now.
Oh, Danita, I like that concept: reading to "enhance"!
Edie, you sound like me. :-)
Maybe I'm not an escapist? ;-)
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