I see people all the time who don't read regularly, who have never picked up a novel, who spend their free time watching TV or doing other activities. What they do is none of my business, but I simply cannot process why someone would refuse to even try reading a book. Can you?If I had no books in my life, I can say for sure that I'd be pretty bored. Now, I don't have all the free time in the world to read, but whenever I do I head straight to my favourite chair with a book. If I wasn't into reading, I'd probably be spending the vast majority of my time lying on the couch, indulging in the mind-numbing activity of watching TV. That's not necessarily a bad thing (in moderation), but when I have the choice of reading over doing something else, guess what I choose?
Reading has become such an essential part of my day that, when I don't have the chance to read before bed like I usually do, I feel incomplete. Even if I only get through a few pages before the book is literally falling from my hands, I still have to read. So, the moral of this post is that life without books would pretty much suck for me.
What about you? What would your sad little bookless life be like?
17 comments:
I agree. As someone who hasn't really ever travelled, without books there are a million places I would have never "visited". I also think my vocabulary (which is pretty stupendous if I do say so myself) would be very limited AND I would know less about history because I read historical fiction.
A sad, sad world without books.
My life is much more rich because of the characters I've met and the places I've traveled in the books I've read. I had this very conversation with a student this afternoon. She's writing a research paper about literacy in America and is going to include a narrative about what her life would be like without reading. It was interesting to watch her come to the realization that reading and writing is such a huge part of her day. I think (or at least hope) she's much less likely to take it for granted now. Thanks for the post.
I cannot even imagine my life without books. I guess if I weren't spending so much time reading I'd have more time for quilting...
I haven't watched television on anything resembling a regular basis for two years and I don't miss it. I really don't want to go back to that way of life.
Aww I totally agree. I have no idea where I would be without books. I would probably almost be a different person. I feel blessed that I was able to grow up with books. Awesome post Emidy :D
Emidy, for me my blog header says it all - a quote from Thomas Jefferson, "I cannot live without books."
I think for me that would be a literal statement. And that's all. :-)
Well, my train trips to and from work would definitely be a lot more boring :-)
I can't imagine what it would be like. I feel like I wouldn't have an imagination if I didn't read, and imagination is important I believe. It provides escapism, which is important for sanity and stress relief. Reading provides enjoyment, it exercises the mind. I would be lost if I didn't read.
I can, however, understand to some extent those that don't read. Only because my boyfriend is a total non-reader. I don't think he has ever actually read a novel. Wait, I lie. he read the first two harry Potter books because I insisted but he hated it so much so I said he didn't have to keep reading. He was raised by parents who didn't speak english and only leanrt english when he got to school. So he was never read to and reading was not a past time that was enocuraged by his parents, being people from a poor country who had no educatin themselves.
So whilst I love to read and sometimes find it strange to think that someone that might never had read a book, I can get how reading isn't for everyone.
I don't want to think about my life without books. I love reading and since I don't watch TV at all, it fills a nice spot. I do think it is important to still get outside or do other things but I enjoy opening up a good book too.
I have a friend who, at the age of 32, has literally never finished a book that he didn't HAVE to read for school or work. I can't even imagine it. If I go a day without reading, I start to feel itchy.
I have gone months without reading, and I am not talking reading ruts, since I would still be reading, but it won't be the voracious reading that I am doing now, rather I would be reading the same book for days on end. I can't imagine doing that today. Funnily, I really can't remember how I passed time then, when I wasn't reading. Reading just seems to me the way of life to be.
I'm not sure what I would do in a book-less life. Most likely, learn new skills and languages?
Life without books is TOTALLY sucks!
I can't imagine my life without books either. But I wonder if people who don't read get the same kind of stimulation and story-immersion that we do from books from other activities, including TV. There are some really smart, challenging and artistically accomplished series out there.
Beth - Exactly! I've learned so many new words through reading.
Mrs. DeRaps - Interesting! I totally feel the same was as you do.
Teresa - I'm like you, I barely ever watch TV. My spare time is filled with reading, usually.
Sara - I'd probably be a different person, also!
Kay - Haha, that's so true for a lot of us!
Becky - I find that reading relaxes me, too! And I totally understand how some people never got the chance to start reading. Many people just aren't exposed to it, or don't have the desire to read.
WonderBunny - Yes, sitting around and reading all the time wouldn't be good either! It's nice to have other activities.
NotNessie - Many of my friends don't read except for school! It's amazing.
Aths - I feel the same way. I can't even remember the point in time when I didn't read.
Darlyn - Yes, I agree!
Nymeth - There are many great shows out there on TV! It's not a bad thing at all to watch them, as long as it's not the only pass time you have.
When I was a teen my parents once tried grounding me from checking out books at the library (I had $3 in overdue fines which they had to pay). I still found a way to get around their rules by checking out books at the school library and reading during study hall and other times during the school day.
I can't imagine not being able to read. I have gone through some brief times where I didn't read due to illness (pink eye, flu, recovering from surgery) and I was feeling too miserable to concentrate on reading. If my vision started to go I would be devastated. I am thankful that there are audiobooks and the Talking Book Program but it still wouldn't be the same as holding a book in my hands and reading the words.
Throughout my life I have turned to reading when I'm bored, when I am sad, or lonely, and just for the fun of it. My books are among my most precious possessions. My T.V. is not.
Christina - Wow, that's so great! I'm the same way. Books are always there when I need to take it easy and relax. They're so comforting.
It would include far too many movies. I like my life better with books :)
Did I mention it was Twilight that brought me back to reading?
My sad little bookless life? It would consist of university, work, eating and sleeping. Now that is definitely sad and I feel sorry when I meet people who don't read at all. I think they just don't know what they're missing out on...
Btw, I'm here from the Saturday Network :-)
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