What’s the point in reading a book? Do you read for the adventure? For the “escape” of reality? Do you read it for the morals, and the lessons? I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Back in September, one of my friends and I went to see The Giver movie. For those of you who have read the books or seen the movie, you know there’s a HUGE lesson we can all learn from it. It’s really powerful.
Anyway, when the movie was over, of course I was near to the point of tears thinking about how amazing the story is! My mom and I (we read the book together), started talking about the moral of the book, and what we learned. Of course we talked about how cute Jonas was, and how intense some scenes were, but because the main reason I read books is the lesson out of the story, that’s what I was going to talk about. I asked my friend what she learned/thought about the moral of the story, and she shrugged and said, “Eh. I just read books for the story.” She wasn’t wrong, per say, because stories are great and exciting and they get your heart pounding… but I was a little bit stunned. Here we were, having seen The Giver (if you haven’t seen/read it, look up the trailer!), and my friend walked away honestly having not given any thought to what the story meant.
So today, (naturally), I made a list! Here’s why I read books.
#1: Sometimes fantasy is so much better than reality.
Come on, don’t deny it. I tend to enjoy reading most on lazy PJ days at home when life is good, but not particularly exciting. Books make it ten times more exciting! I remember in my school library in elementary school there was a sign that said “Books take you places to meet new faces,” and I’ve never forgotten that sign because it’s so true! This is where my friend was right about “just” reading books for the story.
#2: Words are like a milkshake.
Non-bookworms might be thinking that you can escape reality in video games, or movies. And, yeah, those are nice, too (like I said, sometimes I just don’t feel like reading!), but for me, words are like a milkshake. I can’t really explain it… I guess some people have a love for words more than others. Anyway, what I mean by that is whenever I drink a milkshake, I try to take my time so it lasts (and I don’t get a brain freeze!), but I always end up slurping it up faster than I would have liked because it’s just so good! Books are like that, for me, too. Movies are great, but there’s something about the eloquence of words and the descriptions and the feel of the pages, that’s so different.
#3: If you have a little imagination, reading a book is like you’re in charge of the movie.
If you watch a movie/TV show/video game/etc., characters are cool and sets are beautiful, but with only a little imagination, books are like TV in your head! You get to decide the scenes. You get to imagine the characters. So in a way, it’s like YOU’RE the movie producer!
#4: Books encourage a stronger imagination!
I’m stealing this point from this post I read the other day. Like the quote goes, books take you places to meet new faces. Piggy-backing off of my first reason, a strong imagination equals a strong, smart mind. (And sometimes a witty and a little bit sarcastic mind, from experience…) =)
#5: Books, and words, have the power to change you.
If you regularly follow my blog, you know that in all of my reviews, I make a point to talk about what I got out of the book; what I learned from it. That’s because the main reason I read books is because peoples’ stories have power. To change for the better, or for the worse. When I read a book, I crave the adventure and the mystery just as much as anyone, but I also enjoy the lessons each book has. Because of this, I personally believe bookworms have stronger imaginations and minds. Books can change a person, but like the Bible says, only if they have eyes to see (or in this case, read!) and ears to hear.
So what about you? Why do you read books? What’s the POINT in them, anyway?? =) I’d love to hear from you!
Very interesting post. I agree with all your points. Sometimes I read a book knowingi most likely won’t get anything out of it and its just for fun. Sometimes I go into a book and just learn along with the characters. but then other times i read a book just to learn something. It really depends on what book I’m reading and what kind of mood I’m in.
I got your card on Sunday. I’ll send a reply after I get the bigger letter. This is so much fun!
I read the final book in the books of beginningb series the other day. Pretty good! And I’m reading All Fall Down by Ally Carter. That book is pretty good so far but I don’t know if its your type of book really.
Same here. Like The Gossip File – I reviewed it a few weeks ago. It was purely entertaining, and it was so fun to read. Sometimes those books are good when you just need to get your mind off of something. But sometimes I want a really powerful historical fiction. It really depends, like you said!
Oh, good! I got your birthday presents yesterday. I’m going to try to send them today, but they may come late. I hope that’s okay. 🙂 I seriously had sooo much fun shopping for you!
I’ve heard of both of those books. All Fall Down sounds really intense, but good. I’ve been thinking of stepping out of my comfort zone a little bit…. I might try it. I keep reminding myself of books I didn’t want to read but my mom made me and they’re now my favorites! I need to try some more.
Yesterday, I got The Princess Academy and The Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters, both I’ve wanted to read for sooo long. I also got a paperback copy of The Book Thief. (I had it on my Kindle, but wanted it in copy.) Anyway, I can’t wait to send you your gifts!
Great post, Emily 🙂 I agree with all of your points–I just finished reading the Magician’s Nephew the other day, and the part where Lewis is describing the creation of Narnia was so powerful I felt I was right there watching the whole thing. Incredible descriptions, but what really struck me was the fact these descriptions were so simplistic! It didn’t even look like he was trying 😉
The Book Thief is honestly the best book I have ever read. Those kinds of books make me cry, and I did cry when reading it. And watching the movie. I just cried and cried. Props to Zusak for pulling at my heartstrings. You’ll love it. I especially liked it because Liesel loves to read and write, just like all of us 😀 Plus it’s a good history lesson.
Yeah. It really depends on what mood I’m in.
Cool! Did you get my postcard yet? Don’t worry about it. If you end up sending it priority I should get it by staurday or Monday. aww. I will have so much fun shopping for you when your birthday Gets closer. Its so exciting! I can’t believe I’ll be 13 on Friday. Only two more days!
All Fall Down is so good. And I love the books of beginning series. I’m almost done with All Fall Down. The main charactrer in All fall Down reminds me of a mix of America and Cassidy. You should totaly gwt out of your confort zone a little. I had to go out of my confort zone for the Selection and that series is great. In ,y next letter I’ll recommend some books that you can read that are like All Fall Down or contain more action than you are use to reading. Have you read the 39 Clues? That series is action packed and teaches you about history.
Ooh. You will like Princess Academy. I garuntee it. the first book kind of reminds me of a middle grade Selection. That other book sounds good too. I need to read the book thief. My brother owns it and I’m going to ask if I can borrow it. I can’t wait to get your gifts!
I was going through your archieves and I discovered a quiz. I took it and got…… serial reader!
Oh man. Books are everything. Everything you said is what I would’ve said, so I don’t have much to say on this. xP
I have one thing, actually. I love all books except school books. I can’t say that they have the ability to transport me to far off places. :p
Oh, I agree. I should have added that. I feel bad saying it, but it’s kind of true. Not ALL books are life, although it’s always nice when one of the required reading books are ones you’ve already read, especially the ones you love! 🙂 This year I had several books I had to read, and they weren’t the most enjoyable, but they were good, if that makes sense. Lol!
I read books as an escape from reality. My life is perfectly great; but I love to step into someone else’s mind and life for a while. I get new friends, new places to visit and develope new fictional crushes *cough Darcy Hawthorne*. I haven’t read many books with a moral but I do have many many many many…..many quotes on my Pinterest board “Word are everything” because it’s true. Words are important to me and some make me feel different than others. What’s your favorite quote? Mine would probably have to be….. kindness is the launguage that the deaf can hear and the blind can see…..
at least, it’s my favorite one at the moment, im always finding favorites 🙂
I really like this post. You should read All Fall Down. It’s really good. I bet you would like it 🙂
Hi, Emily! I absolutely agree with you. Even though the story is technically the main reason I read a book, it is so much MORE than that. In a truly good book there is always a lesson to be learned. Not only is reading FUN, but it also, like you said, strengthens your imagination and builds your vocabulary! A good book really gets the wheels in your mind turning. That’s what I love about reading 😀
Great discussion idea!
I’ve had other bloggers posit the same question and I always feel like I don’t have a good, articulate answer. I like books. I like characters and stories and plots. But like you said, I like words specifically. I enjoy a good turn of phrase and I like the power words can have on your emotions and your thoughts. Probably I also like the psychology of books (though I hate to say it like that). I’m fascinated by characters and their choices and their relationships and watching their emotions play out.
I probably learned more about life and took more of a “moral of the story” from books when I was younger. And I’m sure some of my favorites were because of what I understood about life and the world from them. Now I enjoy more the words that shape and express ideas probably than I did back then 🙂