We had so much fun with Angela Benson on Tuesday and then there was the great article by Katrina Spencer yesterday that I forgot about our Weekly Book Talk, so I decided to pull one out of the archives. Be sure to share why YOU read in the comments. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Why I Read by Tee C. Royal
Ever really think about why you read? Sure, there’s the entertainment factor. We all want to be entertained, but there’s the connection between the reader and characters, there’s the ability to travel to new places and do new things, and there’s the opportunity to meet new friends…and enemies. But if you had to pinpoint one reason why you read, what would it be? I found myself asking this question this weekend as I spent the entire time reading through manuscripts, listening to a book on audio, resting, and watching television. It was a good experience to actually relax, and though I was technically working most of the time, the reading part didn’t really feel like it. I simply love reading…
I endured the times of slavery, was inspired by a man’s conviction in Christ, I rolled my eyes as a selfish diva lost the man she loved, I mourned when a daughter found out about the hard upbringing of her mother, I skipped a few pages looking for the plot lost in a lot of rambling and sex, and I cheered when a young boy made it through the tribal initiation of becoming a man.  I experienced so many emotions in such a small amount of time, and I loved almost every minute of it. Some of the writing drew me in, but some of the characters turned me off. On the flip side, some of the stories I could relate to or empathize with, while others broke me down so low, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get back up. There were unique stories I’d love to finish, but sadly there were also stories which I felt I had read before; nothing new and different about them. Those were the most disappointing, but all in all, I know clearly why I read and what I like to read.
I like to tap into the “what if’s” of life, learn new things, and be inspired by characters or empowered by their actions. I like to know that there’s good in people and that the bad can be explained. I like strong voices, witty dialogue, fast-paced storylines, realistic characters and situations, thoughtful endings and a little something-something extra. Something unexpected…something that makes it different than every other story out there.
What about you? Why do you read and what have you found you like in books? What don’t you like?
*Originally written November 2007 for BloggingInBlack.com
I read because, well because since age four it has been my connection to a broader larger world, reading takes you places you might never go, exposing you to so much, it also makes you stretch and think and feel…I love reading…A PASSION…
angelia
I been reading for years, would say my. reason for reading it actually takes me away from my personal problems, gives me a reason not think so much on whats going on in my life, great hobbie, better than watching movie…I can actually visulize chracters in the story…book lover
I love to read since age four – it has been an activity that my mother and I have always shared. Reading is a way to travel, explore new people places nd knowledge. Reading is power. For so long – blacks as slaves were not allowed to learn how to read – for the fear of knowledge and the power it has. Reading builds grammar and speech. I love to read and my college reading changed my life as a black woman = Incidents inthe Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs.
I read to be entertained mainly. I also read for inspiration, information and education. I love words, it is my passion. A great book can stimulate me to write a poem or inspire me to do something different in my life. It takes me outside my reality and transports me. I like reading because it improves my vocabulary and grammar. It makes me open my mind up to different perspectives.
When I was younger, I never thought I would be an avid reader. I read required books. It wasn’t until about 1994, when I was in college, that I started reading for pleasure. What started it was seeing more black authors, especially romance authors. From there, I jumped into reading and have not stopped. I have slow reading periods and don’t read for awhile and then it picks back up because I feel like I am starving a part of myself when I don’t read for a long time.
This read like i had put the exact words to paper myself. I feel exactly the same way. I also discovered reading for pleasure in the 90′s when i discovered black authors of fiction.
I love your response.
Sharon
I absolutely love to read. As far back as I can remember as a child, I enjoyed going to the library or bookstores in my area. I would come home with a handful of books to read and loved every minute of it. Now, I am grown and still reading.
Reading is fun and entertaining. It can cheer you up when you are down and gives you the chance to see other people, places, and things through the eyes of the characters in the book. Reading also helps to built your vocabulary, grammar, and speech.
As long as I am able, reading will always be a part of my life.
Gabby, a.k.a TygerLily
I read because it is relaxing but can also be educational. I started reading when I was a little girl and it has been the one thing I could always turn to when I wanted to “get away” from things. Whether it was an older brother who didn’t want to play with me
or having a bad day. Reading allows me to visit other people’s (the characters) lives and other places and just relax.
Reading is like dreaming. And opportunities are only limited by the size of your dreams. I know it’s cliche, but I read to escape. I’m always reading, on the train, at lunch in cafe’s, in bed, in line at the bank… I am blown away when I meet people that say, “I don’t read.” But who is to judge? Variety makes the world turn. I also read to learn. I am a better writer because of what I read. Books are worlds within themselves.
I have been a constant reader ever since I was 5 years old. I love to read because I want to know about different things. Words inspire me and the emotions I feel as I’m reading a book takes me to a new level. As several comments were made above….reading is power and also our forefathers were beaten and murdered just for wanting to learn to read and write.
Reading is helps me to escape from the everyday hustle and bustle of everyday life. I’ve enjoyed reading ever since I can remember. I love read to attention getters that keep turning to the next page. There are times when I find myself in the middle of the plot as if I’m one the characters and have to remind myself that it’s just a book. What I enjoy the most is discussing what I’ve read with others.
Earlier this year, I wrote an article for a meme about favorite genres. It fits today’s topic. I wrote:
I read mostly womens literature, YA fiction(sub-genre realistic), multicultural literature and a fair amount of poetry. I read across genres but the above best covers the majority of what I read. Actually, women of color which connotes a variety of genres and issues, best describes my reading habits. I have two blogs. Black-Eyed Susan’s is my personal space. It is broader in scope covering anything I lay my eyes on. Color Online was created to support a lit group I run, and is focused on women of color. Our aim is to inform both members and visitors about writers they might not otherwise know. We hope our blog helps readers diversify their reading habits.
What makes that genre(s) a favorite?
I read mostly women’s literature, YA fiction(sub-genre realistic), multicultural literature and a fair amount of poetry. I read across genres but the above best covers the majority of what I read. Actually, women of color which connotes a variety of genres and issues, best describes my reading habits. I have two blogs. Black-Eyed Susan’s is my personal space. It is broader in scope covering anything I lay my eyes on. Color Online was created to support a lit group I run, and is focused on women of color. Our aim is to inform both members and visitors about writers they might not otherwise know. We hope our blog helps readers diversify their reading habits.
I love women’s literature because I favor the feminine voice. The issues addressed in women’s literature matter a great deal to me: equality, self-awareness, empowerment, beauty, love, social commentary, justice and family. I love YA literature because it empowers, informs, entertains and inspires our young people, and supporting our youth is part of my life work. I love multicultural literature because I have an insatiable appetite to connect with people. I am curious and I want to learn about the world around me.
I promote and support women of color writers because it matters to me to celebrate writers who look like me, whose work mirrors my own aspirations, desires and experiences. If you can empathize with what it means to be marginalized and invisible, then I think you can understand a desire to be heard. Literature has the power to make the universal, intimate and relevant- a connection between reader and writer. I want readers to better know who we are. I love and promote women of color writers because if I don’t, who will?
I inherited my love for reading from my mother and aunt…. and have passed it to my daughters. I was considered anti-social as a child….crazy right…lol.. I had a few friends but always preferred my own company with music or a book. I’ve learned some life lessons through reading, things my mother may have tried to tell me that I wouldn’t listen to.
I let my daughter at 14 read Mama by Terri McMillan and some people were upset about it. She learned better than I could’ve told her about women having babies with different men that don’t give a damn about anyone but themselves and the possible results. We discussed it to make sure she got from it what I’d intended.
I lived in and traveled Europe for 7 years as a military spouse and DOD staff, traveled within the US too, but had I not, I’m sure a book could’ve taken me there….lol
The importance of reading is evolving in my life but still as much a part of me as breathing.
Reading is also soothing, comforting and sometimes entertaining, but I’ve also found wisdom in some words and stories I’ve been fortunate enough to read….now I’m finished..
Reading allows me to escape my sometimes boring and humdrum life. Reading also grounds me when this life of mine is about to carry me away. Reading connects me to my inner self. Reading takes me on magnificents trips around the world. Reading feeds my desire to learn more, know more and be more. Reading is my escape, my joy, and my love. Reading is the one thing that I am passionate about. This is why I read.
Reading keeps me grounded, a good book takes me away from all the problems of the world. Reading allows me to see and visit new places, a great learning tool. Stories having a way of calming you when evrything around you seems to be out of synce. Happy or sad I read , I lve the fact books talk to you and not back at you, and when you talk to the book you want to read on the see what the end is going to be.
I am never without a book, reading helps to pass time in stressful situations, I was grateful I was a reader a few yers ago when my mother was sick, waiting on her to come out of surgery, after praying I lost myself in a book. I believe if I had not had a great book with me waiting 4 hours would have seemed like 24 hours and I would have been ready for the crazy house.
I have great memories of the red bookmobile where I check out my first book some 50 plus long years ago. and receiveing my first copy of Highlights in the mail at the age of 5.
To quote my mother ” If Johnny can read, Johnny can do or be any thing he wants to do or be.”
I can’t imagine a life without books. One of my great aunts claimed I was reading at age 4. I read for all of the reasons you listed in your post. In books, I’ve been able to escape into another world. I’ve been able to see characters like me; not like me; some who reminded me of friends; some who I’m glad to have never known anyone like, etc. I read in a variety of genres because each genre offers something different. I don’t always have to have that happy ending. When I do read books that I know will have “the happy ending” I like to see how the author goes from point A to point B. I love the journey the author takes readers on.
I don’t like books that don’t have a twist–something that makes me remember the book after I’ve put it down.
Wow, when I was little I first began reading because it would take me away … I could live through the author and characters and destinations each book took me. I was a huge fan of Nancy Drew. Had every single adventure story she went on. And since I was a silent voice I wrote poetry and would read any poet I could get my hands on. Then I matured to books that literally scared the sneezes out of me. Dean Koontz used to keep me up till all hours of the morning. I’d finish the book and then be too damn scared to sleep afraid of what the ‘boogey thang’ might do to me in my sleep. I would read anything and one. In the late 80′s early 90′s is when Black female authors were taking over the scene of literature. I read every thing! I think I was Black Expressions number one customer. I wanted to experience other writers, characters, voices, personas. Of course I had already read Morrison, Walker, Angelou, Sanchez, Jordan, etc. so when Briscoe, Mill, McMillan, Hill, Berry, Files, and so many others came on the publishing field I was there waiting. It was during that time that I realized my voice needed to be expressed as well and though I’d already been experimenting with short stories I began to create longer stories and full fledge novels all the while perfecting my poetry and spoken word artistry. Now I explore books for many reasons, some of the one’s I’ve already expressed others to learn the craft, some simply for the wonderment of how artists craft their words, create these unimaginable characters, story lines, places, etc. I couldn’t fathom a world without books.
A life without books is unimaginable to me. I used to say if I was ever stranded on a faraway island all I would need would be books and music to live a lifetime.
I mostly read for information. But I also like to escape. I’ll admit I read a lot more as a child and teen than I do now, but it’s not because I love it any less. It’s a time thing now.
I have been read since elementary school, and it the entertainment and joy of picking up a good book and know that its escape away from the stress at work or school. I love the fact that you can identify with characters in the books and how the situations that their going through you can related to. Books are a good learning tool too, because you can learning alot situations that were never brought to your attention before.
When I was a child, I read for the purposes of escapism. Most of the time, it was the only way that my mother and I could communicate. While we couldn’t talk about our sometimes hurtful relationship and its many misunderstandings, we could always talk about reading. Now I am glad that I read just for the pure joy of it. It is something about the written word that can conjure up so many emotions. Music does the same thing to me.
I’ve been an avid reader since childhood. At a time when most of my childhood girlfriends wanted new babydolls and toys to play with, I wanted new books to read. As a child, my parents always thought I was afraid of th edark because I had to have a light on in my bedroom at night. Years later, I told them that I had that light on so I could “read” myself to sleep.
I think I love to read beause I can experience new things through the characters. It also gives me an escape from real life and allows me to relax. If I couldn’t read, I don’t know what I would do. I love that I was able to find this great group of women to share books with. It has certainly opened my world up more than I could have ever imagined.
I read because I love the since of accomplish – turning pages and falling into the story. I read to encourage my girls to read. I read because I love learning new things. I read because many years ago my ancestors counldn’t.