[Sanaa-]

Sunday evening here.. and I was looking for the next book that I may possibly buy when I came across a very interesting interview of Jeneate Winterson.

It made me wonder, why do we read? Why do you read? Is there a book thats had a life changing effect on your life.. maybe a couple of books?

This writer summarised it so well.. I felt she almost spoke for me. (She was explaining the purpose of books/art in our lives and what engaging in reading does for one )


Jeanette Winterson: I think you have to cut loose human beings, I think it's one of the things that art does, it's always cutting us loose from our moorings, and taking us out onto voyages which are rich and strange, precisely so that when we return, we ourselves have been enriched. The whole point I think is to break out of the prison of your own experience, whatever that is, and to be able to imagine, experience, feel, things that are new to you, that are different to you. That's what I try to do.

-----------
You can read the rest of the Interview here http://www.abc.net.au/sydney/stories/s1134897.h

[Sugaspice]

I'm not much of a reader these days , though I used to be "back in the day" and it's something I really miss doing, but what Winterson has said is very true, reading takes you away from your here and now and takes you to a place where you can be anything and anybody you want... another thing I loved about reading was discovery, honestly there were alot of things I didn't know and was never taught that I'd find out about in books I'd read..

[roqsol]

Thats just about right. I read to get away, but strangely enough it helps in my day to day life.. when i'm dealing with a situation, i find that events and characters in the books i've read, even fiction, help me think clearly and come up with solutions...it really is like "stealing" experience..

[mutuko]

I bought this book about Richard Pryor just hillarious. When you read the book you get humour which cant be expressed on movies. Its just like literally listening to the author or the interviewer.

[mtoto mzuri]

the only books i read are those which used to covered with newspapers and that was back in high school. well thats was because when ur in the system ( read boarding schhol), you dont have much of a selection to read for leisure. id read nationa and standard newspaper cover to cover... then move on to my "news paper cover" novel.

after high school... i havnt read a single book. one thing i can tell you is that i hae walked into book stored wat more than 7 times (and im not exaggerating!) with the intention of buying a book to read. but i never bought a single book. why? i just couldn't find anything that i thought was suited for me. this has been my hardest task... finding a suitable book!

[fry]

My profession demands I read.

I'm inclined sci-fi epics since I find myself in their surrealism. There's so much there that I can identify in our 'normal' world.

[chemical]

Originally Posted by fry

My profession demands I read.

I'm inclined sci-fi epics since I find myself in their surrealism. There's so much there that I can identify in our 'normal' world.

Try Peter Hamilton...the Sleeping God trilogy is priceless.....

[fry]

Originally Posted by chemical

Try Peter Hamilton...the Sleeping God trilogy is priceless.....

Thanx chem...will do. You also an epic-freak?

[chemical]

Originally Posted by fry

Thanx chem...will do. You also an epic-freak?

Hey fry...I messed up that name...its Nights Dawn trilogy and the third book is called the Naked God...sijui what I was thinking..

I tend to like the longer stories...more room for intrigue, but I sure hate it when the authors die on you before they've finished the story

I read just about everything fiction to non-fiction....