Friday, July 2, 2010

Why Do You Read? Why Do You Blog?

Do you read to learn?  to escape into a different reality?  to be challenged by new thoughts?  maybe to get a glimpse of the written word as an art form?

I've been thinking about this a lot lately because I've had a few experiences that make me feel rather disconnected from others in this area.  Such as the whole Twilight phenomena and other mega-sellers. I think that the sales volume of these hugely popular books goes to show that many people read for the entertainment value alone--not necessarily to think deep thoughts or appreciate the writing quality.  Not that this is bad, (I'm glad people are reading something,) but it's just not why I read.  I read to learn, to think new thoughts and challenge or develop my beliefs.  I read to experience truth and clarity, justice and injustice.  I read to absorb the beauty that materializes when words are thoughtfully put together.


So, what drives you to read?  What makes you pick up a book and not want to put it back down?  What makes a book a 5-star book for you?


For the Book Blog Hop this week (if you've never done this, you should! it's a great way to connect with other bibliovores!) Jennifer said: Tell us your Name, and Why you Started Blogging...so here's me:


I'm Melody, a lover of books since day 1.  I started my family blog to keep all my out-of-town people up to date with the happenings around my house: it was my way of letting go of the guilt of not keeping in contact with everyone while getting to do some writing at the same time (fun!).  I started my book blog so that I wouldn't have to keep boring those people with all my book thoughts.  It's a great way to keep track of my book life and get all my swirling thoughts pinned down on [virtual] paper.  And I'm loving being able to connect with other book blogs out there--thank you, Jennifer for hosting the Book Blog Hop!


8 comments:

  1. I'm hopping by via the Book Blogger Hop. I liked what you said about why you read (and blog). I started my first blog two years ago, but it was only last year that I really started blogging in earnest. Then I became a bit obsessed!

    I read and review on Amazon, Goodreads, and alternately on my blogs.

    I signed up to follow you.

    Here's my post:

    http://laurel-rain-snow.blogspot.com/2010/07/book-blogger-hop-july-2.html

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  2. Well, I tried to "follow," but Google was having a technical error.

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  3. New follower from the hop. And I agree that a great thing about book blogging is having a place to put your thoughts on books since our real life friends are tired of hearing about it. Have a great weekend!

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  4. Hi Melody - is that your bookshelf? It's gorgeous! I love how you've done that.
    Lyndsey www.teadevotee.com

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  5. Thanks for the comments! I've hopped over to your blogs too.

    Lyndsey - yes, that's the bookshelf above my desk, thanks! I decided it was time to take the cabinet doors off and make my beautiful books shine!

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  6. Found you from Semicolon's book review links, not the Hop (although I'm participating in that, too). Just subscribed to your blog via Google Reader and look forward to reading more.

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  7. Yes, yes, yes--I read for all of those reasons. And even, sometimes, just to be entertained.

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  8. Melissa, thanks for coming by!

    Lisa, I'm wondering if my thoughts didn't properly come through in my post...I do read to be entertained--reading is a delight! Perhaps I'm just trying to sort through what it is to be entertained, and guessing that it is subjective.

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I'd love to hear what you have to say, leave a comment!