Books - Why Do You Read?

Stars_And_Sunsets · 03-17-2005, 01:28 AM

Being an avid reader myself, I am constantly being asked this question!
Both my mother and my aunt love reading, so I got my love of books from them, but my dad still doesn't understand why I love reading so much

. When I was younger, I could sit for hours in my room reading and he would get slightly worried because I read books really quickly.

Then, in high school, other students in my year ALWAYS asked me "Why are you reading?". I only had one friend who loved books as much as I did so we talked for ages about the books we'd read and we'd swap books back and forth. Our other friends thought we were werid.
Just yesterday, my mother walked into my room and I was reading and she laughed and said "You and your books".
I can't help it- I just love reading.

Anyway, I'm sure most of you have been asked why you read and I'm curious about what your answers are

.

little_Quest · 03-17-2005, 06:20 PM

for me it is an escape from reallity. Through books you can be someone else in different time period etc. I started read books in my early childhood, mostly because of my mother thinking that it was something usuall . but i remember beeing asked in highschool the reasons i read and then i realised that book lovers are minority.
sorry for my bad english but i am from Greece, so ...

**NikNak** · 03-18-2005, 09:32 AM

I have just always enjoyed it. It's relaxing and an escape from my usual routine in life. Also, as an only child, there were many times when I was by myself and that's when I started to read the most. I never felt alone or lonely because I always had a book to read.

amusic20 · 03-18-2005, 12:57 PM

For me, it's simply fun, & sometimes it helps me relax. & when I'm reading for pleasure, I don't have to think much--I'm just reading it for my own enjoyment. I guess I'd consider it one of my hobbies. I make sure that I'm always reading a book, even if it's one I've already read.

pacifierrocks · 03-19-2005, 01:55 AM

I get asked that question a lot. Even my friends fill out those survey things that it asks what's their favorite book, they always jokingly put, books? But i never really know how to answer that question. Its like asking why i eat or something. One, its something that i've always grown up with. I'm the time i could read, i've always loved it. I think that there's something about books that just tv and movies can't really capture right. i don't know what it is but i think that's the reason when a lot of books are made into movies, it doesn't seem right in the movie. But why do read? Simply, because i like it. Phew, that whole paragraph could've just been those four words.

RoRowen · 03-19-2005, 04:06 PM

Well there are a lot of reasons for me to read, but the most importants are:

- my mom and my dad use to read (actually she's a teacher and he's a journalist, so both "work with words") and I learned with them.

- read helps me to scape reallity for a while. When I'm reading I forget everything around me, it's like I'm in the middle of the adventure along with the book's characters.

- although I like movies, a book is something you can carry everywhere and just read to pass the time. And I do it a lot!

**BehrItAll** · 03-19-2005, 08:13 PM

It's a simple reason, becasue I enjoy reading. I like getting wrapped up in a good story. It began when I was a small child and my mom would take me to the library almost every week and then in the 4th grade I got hooked on The Baby-Sitters Club series. It has always been a hobby of mine.

truth takes time · 03-19-2005, 11:36 PM

I just plain love it. I grew up reading, and just always enjoyed. I always found it to be a good alternate to television, and one I had more control over. It kept me busy and entertained, because I could live through the characters in the books. It's a hobby, and I also am interested in seeing how others view the world

***Yellow Mustang Girl*** · 03-20-2005, 01:09 PM

I agree with most of the answers already posted here -- because I love it. Reading is a great way to escape; it's also a great way to learn about other things, people, places; plus it broadens the mind.

Soz · 03-20-2005, 05:50 PM

There are so many reasons. The main one is that I feel like I can't live without it. Books are treasures and friends. I was also an only child growing up (although since becoming an adult, my dad has started a new family), so I was alone most of the time and we always had books around. My parents both read a lot and read to me, so it was natural for me to follow their example. My cousin and best friend is also a big reader and when we lived far away from each other, we would recommend books to each other or borrow books when we visited and it made us feel closer.

I read for more than just the escape or entertainment of it. I read to think, to expand my mind, to inspire my own writing, and to meet amazing characters, some of whom aren't even humans on Earth. I read to learn about the craft of writing, both what to do and also what not to do!

AdriaMichelle · 03-20-2005, 07:33 PM

The reasons I read are endless. However, if I really had to pick one it would be the incredible solace it gives me. I can have a bad day, but the moment I pick up a book and start reading, I can easily forget about what's bothering me and drift off to another world.

**Quarterley** · 03-20-2005, 08:48 PM

A good book is a great means of entertainment as well as a nice fantasy world to escape to.

And I need something to do on the subway.

barelylegal · 03-20-2005, 09:18 PM

It is entertaining and expands your mind.

***Yellow Mustang Girl*** · 03-21-2005, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NikNak

I have just always enjoyed it. It's relaxing and an escape from my usual routine in life. Also, as an only child, there were many times when I was by myself and that's when I started to read the most. I never felt alone or lonely because I always had a book to read.

I agree that is is relaxing and an escape

Stars_And_Sunsets · 03-21-2005, 08:04 PM

I forgot to mention that I'm practically an only child, too (My half brother and sister are a lot older than me and have never lived near us)

I was really shy as a child and I had a lot of trouble making new friends when we moved (which happened twice before I was 8), so I used to love reading in my room, especially The Baby-Sitter's Club, which really cemented my love of reading.
As I've gotten older, I make friends a lot easier, but I've kept my love of reading, which I'm thankful for