Try as I may, I just can't sit through most books of that sort. I am sure they have their merits, and probably a good reason to being a "high and mighty" book, but they're just not for me. I'm rather content in my small, unrealistic and unlikely fantasy land. I can read the other books, but I draw little enjoyment from most. Why am I so worried about what other people think, anyway?
So this weekend, taking advantage of the rare luxury of internet at my parents' house, I got a few free books from Amazon. Gotta love the Kindle and its large stock of free books! And changes their free content often. Every once in a while you find a few gems at no additional cost. The books I got? All of them fantasy. Sorry to disappoint you, world. Right now I'm reading The Book of Deacon, and I find it hard to put down. It had me at the introduction. It isn't the greatest and most fantastic book by any means, but it's good enough for me.
Talk about cheap entertainment, eh?
Hey - I'm almost 50 and love to read those kind too! (along with lots of other genres). One of my favorite "young adult" series is the Eragon series. Years ago my MIL bought the first book for my son. He never read it. Sat for years in his room and one day I was desperate for something, anything to read, so I started reading it. I now have all the books in hardback - one of the few books I actually own :-)
ReplyDeleteI've seen the Eragon series all over. I'll try to grab a copy from the library. Would make good reading for my vacation!
DeleteThose aren't my particular genres -- however, when it comes to reading, I think its whatever makes you happy. Honestly, I have a hard time with the lofty books too. While I consider myself well read in the classics (thanks to a couple of FABULOUS Literature teachers in high school), I rarely seek them out anymore. At this point in my life, I want my reading to entertain me.
ReplyDeleteI was unlucky as far as literature and science teachers. I guess they do shape preferences that early on, eh? I love reading, but I just can't seem to like what people would want me to.
DeleteI used to feel bad about enjoying children's fiction, but when I read the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, one of the things she talks about is trying to read book she found so boring because they were the books she felt she was 'supposed' to read.
ReplyDeleteThen she starts a children's literature book club, and there is this overwhelming response where so many people love it that they have to break off into multiple book clubs. So ever since then, I haven't felt bad about what I like to read.
How interesting! I'll have to look at that book by Rubin. Sounds like something I definitely need to read.
DeleteThat's silly that people are telling you what you need to read! Books are there for your enjoyment :) I love to read mystery, Agatha Christie style books, and I don't care if anybody thinks I'm wasting my time. I have so little time left to do what I like that I want t enjoy what I do/read :)
ReplyDeleteCan't argue with that logic. Some people think reading is a duty and something we have to do because we have to, not necessarily for enjoyment.
DeleteHave you read the Lemony Snicket series? A friend pointed me toward them when my kids were younger. They as well as I enjoyed them, as I picked up the 1st 11 in the series at the Ollie's bargain store for cheap. Have you read any of the L. Frank Baum books other than the Wiz of Oz? Those are awesome and they count as classics too! lol
ReplyDeleteAlso check out Summerland by Michael Chabon. It's sort of Tolkein and C.S. Lewis meets "Field of Dreams". lol
"Holes" by Louis Sachar was among my daughter's favs too....that and the Jerry Spinelli books and the Georgia Nicholson series by English writer Louis Rennison.
Read what makes YOU happy!!
I've actually heard of Holes, but I don't recall reading it. At least not in English. I'll check out the rest you mentioned.
DeleteI do a lot of reading for my job so when it comes down to reading for fun, that's exactly what I want - a fun book to escape into. I read between 3 - 5 books a week. I don't care what type it is, I don't have anything against fantasy or juvenile fiction. I read a lot of both and of mysteries. I also like to read books that are being turned into movies or tv shows. But then I usually spend the whole movie pointing out all the differences.
ReplyDeleteHave you read the Icewind Dale Trilogy by Salvatore??
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of those books, but I'll take a look in Amazon. Thanks for the suggestion!
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