I Have A Healthy Addiction: Reading
Although from time to time, I wouldn’t mind watching a movie more than once, I could never do the same when it came to reading a book. Even if it was a book I hadn’t read in quite some time and couldn’t even remember most of the story or who the author was. I don’t know why, I can’t explain it. That’s just the way it is.
Most bibliophiles would agree with me, that the book is 99.9% better than the movie. I would read the book and see the movie to compare the two, only to be somewhat disappointed. Ideas for movies come from many sources, but I find the majority of ideas comes from books.
Non-bibliophiles, my common-law partner included, would always answer something along the lines of, “Is there a movie about it (meaning the book)?Then I’d rather watch the movie.” He reads to educate himself and prefers non-fiction over fiction. While I read books on finance, investing and blogging to educate myself, I also love to read fiction. Like many PF bloggers, I love reading, thus I love writing. The two past-times seem to go hand in hand. I enjoyed the many book fairs and read-a-thon fundraisers in school. I loved going to the library and still do.
Books Are Here To Stay
Although it doesn’t strike us as an obvious choice, but books, magazines, and newspapers are a form of media. Print media, that is. Before we were able to bring ideas and dreams to real life in real-time, they were written and printed in text. It was up to our own imagination to visualize what the author was trying to say.
Everything was open to interpretation.
Despite the technology craze or boom, books, magazines and newspapers have adapted in the form of e-books, e-readers and online versions. At the same time, they have still managed to stay in its original form. When you set foot in a bookstore, there is a display of e-readers and e-reader covers, however the rest of the store is dominated by the hardcover and paperback books. People still cozy themselves in a corner of a bookstore, coffee shop or their own house and read a book. A real book.
The real thing seems to grab hold of several of my senses. It’s the feel of the book, holding it in your hand. The sound of the page turning or closing the book shut after you’ve finished a reading session. The smell of it. The sight of the cover and the book itself. Being able to see the title on its spine when placed on the bookshelf.
Of course, you don’t actually taste books. But I hunger for the next best read to satisfy my literary appetite.
Are you a bibliophile? What are some of your favourite reads?
I too, prefer books.. but for convenience and having thousands of books without taking up the space and weight, outweighs any kind of sensory pleasure.
I’ll give you that. Having an e-reader is perfect for your daily commute or travelling.
I love to read. Sadly, it’s something I haven’t had much time to do recently. History and historical fiction are definitely my favs, but I’ll read almost anything.
I find when I’m taking a course that involves a lot of reading from a textbook, I tend to not want to read a book for leisure. I barely read for fun while in university.
Hopefully you’ll have some time to read in the near future!
I’m really into Cormac McCarthy right now. I read No Country for old Men and The Road, both of which I loved and I’m now reading All the Pretty Horses which is great too. I love that he writes all of his books on a typewriter… so different. Plus, I love the southwestern flair of many of his books.
I’ll have to add No Country for Old Men to my reading list. I actually taught myself how to type on a typewriter before my parents bought a computer. I kind of want an antique typewriter for decoration, but they’re several hundred dollars. :S
I also agree with you! Books are definitely greater than movies. They can take you to places you’ve never been, to time you have never experienced and back without leaving your place. Unlike you though, I don’t mind reading a book again after some time.
Since I don’t read books more than once too often, I don’t buy many books anymore either. My parents bought me a TON when I was a kid though.
Gotta say I’m a movie girl. I wish I carved out more time read but I just don’t. But I do agree that most books are better than the movie. That’s why I don’t read so I’m not disappointed, 🙂
I don’t know why but I feel like I can’t sit still to watch movies so much anymore. However, I never really watched movies too much in the first place. Even as a kid growing up, I spent more time reading books.
We both love to read, but it’s a tough choice between the new e-reader formats and hard copies. There are benefits to both, but we’re about out of room with the hard copies. I just hate staring at a screen for 12 hours per day between work/pleasure/reading…
I’m the same way. That’s another reason why I’m not a fan of the e-reader. It would be just another screen to stare at.