I read because there are so many stories out there,
so many lives I’ll never be able to lead,
so many worlds in other peoples’ imaginations that I want to visit,
and my soul has a need to discover the words other people write.
I read for the same reason I write. I have to. My own imagination is vivid. I have worlds inside my head, and dreams that need to escape, and these are the very reasons I read. If I have these amazing visions in my head that need to breakout onto paper, then I want to read the imaginations of those around me, I want to know their stories too.
As a writer and author the reasons people read fascinate me, for several purposes: firstly, I’m curious, and perhaps a little nosy! Secondly, as an author, I want to write books people want to read; and thirdly, it’s a subject that seems to divide.
I belong to many communities: family, church, online, book-club, local, neighbourhood – and everyone has a different reason for reading…
I asked my family and got different responses. My son only used to read short fiction because it was easy and he struggled with a tendency towards dyspraxia and dyslexia. My husband reads about things he’s interested in, ‘both fact and fiction’, and both my daughters read ‘to escape reality’, and ‘to escape into another world that’s better than this one.’.
I’ve got friends who love biographies, but not fiction, others who want to read to learn, and some who read just for the sake of reading. Some readers want absorbing stories but shy away from horror or sorrow. There are others who yearn for an emotional response, who need to commit and feel the emotion; those who want to be scared by horror, or weep amidst a tragedy, and whoop with delight as characters rise and triumph, and some who just need to escape.
So, I thought I’d ask you, the reader – why do you read?
Lastly, why do you read the books you do, do you choose because you love a specific genre, or author, or do you love an eclectic mix?
Do you stick to traditionally published works, or love to discover more from up and coming indie authors?
(If you read my latest author interviews, you’ll discover some of my favourite books from the last year…)
What books sit side-by-side upon your bookshelf? Tell me the books that have affected you the most, and tell me why you love them!
The Last Krystallos 
I read for the same reason I write: to escape. I will read just about anything that holds my interest. I want to know everything and I wish is to read every single story ever written. I’m hooked on books so that each week I do a volunteer shift at the charity bookstore, I have to fight myself NOT to bring any more books home. I’m rarely successful. ❤ ❤
Lol…so many books so little time! The reader and writer lament!
Sigh. Can you see my rendition of the silent movie star on screen, back of my hand to forehead? 😀
Every time I’m asked what was my most memorable book (in recent years) I immediately think of The Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. (The film made of it was lousy, imo). It ticked all the boxes for me: Highly imaginative and unique plot (there have been a few rip-offs since), beautifully written in a witty, lyrical style, superb dialogue – totally believable characters even though the storyline was so impossible (but it was entirely possible to disregard that.) I cried buckets at the end. I mean, really sobbed. It was probably the only time I haven’t been able to move on to another book almost immediately. You did ask! 🙂
I felt the exact same way when I read The Time Traveller’s Wife, I don’t often get book hangovers but that was one! The movie was yet another that disappointed me so much and they changed the ending (oh, why do they change endings so often??) …but, I don’t think they should have tried a movie, it just didn’t transfer.
Thanks for your comments, Lesley x
I read to learn, to experience, to feel, to escape, to immerse myself…it’s something I have to do.