[Killer Chicken]

Well, in my life I have been read to many, many times as I grew up. And I grew and I have always loved reading. People thought I was a genious, and still do, because I read so incrediably much. At one time it got so bad as me reading three books a day and me not having any money, so I would reread all of my books as many times as 4 or 5, even when I didn't like them that much. Now I don't have time for that much. But no one else in my family are big readers. My dad reads a few westerns, but that is about it. That's why no one can figure out why I read so much.

Do you have similar circumstances? Do you think genetics has anything to do with how much you read? Tell you me your opinions, because it is a mystery to my family.

[Miriamele]

It's the same way in my family. I read like crazy--I always have, and actually used to get in trouble sometimes when I was a kid because I would "hide" in my room all day reading and not come down for supper on time. And my youngest sister reads quite a bit too. But my parents and my other sister don't read at all, and I know they think I'm a bit odd for liking books, especially fantasy, so much. They just don't understand me. (My dad, especially, actually thinks reading fiction rots your mind--the only book he will pick up is one on how to get rich). And I don't understand them--how can a person never read anything? Isn't it so unstimulating?

To answer your question, I read because it's simply my favourite thing to do! (Well, almost my favourite, but let's not get into that! :D ) The enjoyment I get from visiting other worlds in books and seeing the story unfold, even from the language the author uses, is immense. I simply couldn't imagine not reading. My regular life is too dull--I need the excitement in a good story.

Also, I would like to achieve at least a minimal success someday as a writer, and I know that reading much and widely will help me in this respect.

I don't know if it's genetics or not that determine if you like to read. I suppose you have to have a reasonable amount of intelligence to do it. But how come some people in the same family love it and some hate it? I guess we'll never know. :)

[Killer Chicken]

Yea, my dad also used to think I was wierd because I read Star Wars... I know, I know, don't ask. So he was relieved when I switched to fantasy, even though he disrespected me reading in the beginning. But now I feel that he wants me to switch to something more "normal." But it ain't gonna happen! At least not fulltime, I like to read sometimes in different genres, but fantasy is my main.

[e-Morgana]

I'm afraid I can't really shed any light on this subject for you KC.

Genetics..............maybe. My sister and I both read quite a lot, but our parents don't, and I don't remember them reading to us when we were kids either. It's just something we've both picked up.

My Grandfather was a prolific Louis L'Amour reader, so maybe he's to blame. Other than him though, we are the "weird ones" of the family. :D

I much prefer to read than watch TV or just about anything else for that matter (except playing on the computer and chatting in forums like this of course). :) It's pure escapism for me. I like to drown myself in a world where the good guys usually win, where a bit of magic adds spice to everyday life, and where anyone can become a hero and save the world. :cool:

[Miriamele]

I like to drown myself in a world where the good guys usually win, where a bit of magic adds spice to everyday life, and where anyone can become a hero and save the world.

Well said, E-Morgana.


he wants me to switch to something more "normal." But it ain't gonna happen!

He he, I'm with you all the way there. I can just see the look in my dad's eye's when he sees me sitting there reading--he's thinking, Come on, another one of those books?

But "normal" books, I find (in general) to be not only boring but downright depressing. The current view in mainstream fiction seems to be that you have to be melancholy to be profound, you have to have lots of heartache and injustice and a big old sad ending. Bah! I'll take escapism any day, I don't care what people think.

Fantasy rules!! :D

[Talaith]

I think everyone in my family could be considered as big readers and I think our parents did have a lot to with it. My father would read fiction of all sorts (mysteries, sci-fi, fantasy, etc) while Mom wasn't a big in to fiction as my father, anytime she got curious about any topic at all she would go out and buy a book or two on it. So I don't know how much genetics played in it, but they certainly encouraged my sisters and I to read.

On the topic of re-reading books. I usually read any book I get twice. The first time I read for fun, just enjoying the story as it unfolds. When I finish, if I liked it, I read through it again and study how the author put the story together (character and plot development, setting, foreshadowing, and things like that). since I know how the story turns out I find it is easier to see how things in the beginning of the story, even seemingly insignificant things, tie in with things at the end of the story.

[Lani]

As for Killer Chicken, i was read to alot when I was small. Actually, I was read to every night before sleep. I loved hearing all kinds of fairy tales and adventures. There was one chapter in a book I liked that my mom read to me probably a thousand times. My parents even used reading as a punishment for me - the worst that I thought could happen is my parents refusing to read to me before sleep. So basically, I grew up loving books and I learned letters earlier just because I was so eager to be able to read by myself.
At first, I read children fiction, then I became very fond of detective stories for children and such authors as Enid Blyton and Gordon Dixon. Later I moved on to Agatha Christie and other more adult books. The best thing happened when someone lent me a fantasy book at the age of 11 or 12. It was the Amber books by Roger Zelazny and I was totally mesmerized. Since then for many years I've been reading mostly fantasy.
I can also understand the posts about parent alienation. Even though my parents mostly approve of me reading, they often look at my books quite disapprovingly and wish I would read more "normal" literature and especially more classics. I keep on reading fantasy though. Fantasy Rules!!!

[Alucard]

It's odd, just about everyone in my family reads, but I was a late bloomer. I started reading maybe three years ago, even though most of my siblings and my mother read since I can remember. But now that I've gotten into it, I'm a junkie. I read about three books a week.

But I like many different genres and styles of writing. I probably read just as many mystery novels as I do fantasy ones, if not more. I also like historical fiction, horror, sci-fi . . . well, just about everything.

[allanon]

I can not explain why. Just love it!

[Nevyn]

Aways had an overactive imagination and had to find a way to channel it . I love to escape into different worlds , live other lives and return home ( without any reperocussions ) to a normal life .