This week's question is courtesy of Dianne.
Do you read non-fiction regularly? Do you read it in a different way or place than you read fiction?
If you'd asked me this question last year I'd have answered; yes, I read it regularly; yes, in a different, more task oriented, way. My last six years have been devoted to study and I loved every minute of reading non-fiction. Well actually it’s more a retrospective love of reading non-fiction ... now that I don’t have to read it I love it!
An awful lot of it was esoteric and I used it regularly as a cure for insomnia but I’m very appreciative of the experience and the knowledge it gave me. And that’s the root of my love of non-fiction – I want to know.
When I was away last week I purchased two books; one was a collection of short stories and the other was a history of the development of the English language. It’s a sign of the times that I’ve read the first short story but haven’t dipped into the history yet. I also have and extensive collection of books on functional grammar and literary criticism that are sitting in prim abandonment on my study shelves as I lose myself in fiction.
For me, as for many others I suspect, fiction offers an escape that non-fiction doesn’t. Take yesterday for example, whilst waiting with my father in a medical centre (for 90 minutes) I used fiction to escape an uncomfortable environment. I’m not a good nursemaid and geriatric nursing is a real struggle – whilst not diminishing Dad’s suffering, emphysema is a stomach turning ailment to witness.
An awful lot of it was esoteric and I used it regularly as a cure for insomnia but I’m very appreciative of the experience and the knowledge it gave me. And that’s the root of my love of non-fiction – I want to know.
When I was away last week I purchased two books; one was a collection of short stories and the other was a history of the development of the English language. It’s a sign of the times that I’ve read the first short story but haven’t dipped into the history yet. I also have and extensive collection of books on functional grammar and literary criticism that are sitting in prim abandonment on my study shelves as I lose myself in fiction.
For me, as for many others I suspect, fiction offers an escape that non-fiction doesn’t. Take yesterday for example, whilst waiting with my father in a medical centre (for 90 minutes) I used fiction to escape an uncomfortable environment. I’m not a good nursemaid and geriatric nursing is a real struggle – whilst not diminishing Dad’s suffering, emphysema is a stomach turning ailment to witness.
We both had our books and I think it’s safe to say we could not have sat with such calm for 90 minutes without the escape they offered.
6 comments:
I don't read much non-fiction. I will if something catches my eye, but I prefer fiction. As you said, it provides an escapism and sometimes that's what I need.
I sense much more fiction reading in your future. Gotta love graduation.
I agree with you - fiction is an escape for me that I really enjoy. However, I do read an occasional memoir or current event book if its something that I'm interested in. Sometimes its political, sometimes not.
you are right that i don't find that non-fiction offers the escape factor that fiction offers.
..and i love the image of those books sitting in "prim abandonment"..
I am sorry about your dad's emohysema, it is hard, not only on the patient, but on the family as well.
Not much of a NF reader myself.
The only non-fiction I read is entertainment kind pretty much and biographies of famous stars.
Here's mine!♥
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