Why read?

[flippyshark]

It really depends on the book. Some books stay with you forever, others practically vaporize the moment you set them down.

I found Gabler's book something of a chore to read, but it had its rewards. The Magician's Nephew isn't my favorite Narnia book, given that I've read it at least twice, and I barely remember it.

Recently, I had to give up on a very silly book I was trying to read. It's called Natural Selection, by (if I recall correctly) Richard freedman. The bubblegum premise is flying carnivorous rays. Stupid, yes, but I thought an airborn Jaws ripoff thriller would be fun. I had to give up a little over a third of the way through. Absolutely NOTHING had happened by then, and I felt imprisoned in the company of half a dozen of the most paper-thin, idiotic characters imaginable. According to the Amazon reviews, it has its fans, but I'll not be opening its covers again.

I'm way too tired to marshall any actual thoughts or ideas on the topic. Please accept these random dribblings in lieu of substance.

[€uroMeinke]

It differs from book to book. The good ones stick with you but maybe in different ways. Lately I love Murakami, but some of that may be where I'm in in my life - I identify with his protagonists and suddenly see the magic and mystery of ordinary life. I feel differently about myself and the world when I read his stuff and find I need time to savor before I start something else.

Some books I appreciate, but know I read them at the wrong time - I was way too old when I finally picked up On the Road, but i can imagine how good it would have been had I read it right out of high school.

I used to love reading sci-fi, but found as I got older the genre has become less and less compelling. I used to think that was the place to find the most innovative thinking, but now I only pick something that's been recommended by more than one person.

I read to be entertained, to be educated, and be challenged - I like most the books that make me think differently about things. That might not always be a page turner, but usually the most satisfying to me.