Why do you read? Enjoyment or betterment?

[Poiuyt]

I go through about one novel a week, usually mysteries, thrillers, that sort of thing. Grisham, Ludlum, Hiaasen - you know, page turners. When a friend recommends a different sort of book, even if it is beautifully written, I have trouble getting through it. I always end up back with the murder mysteries, even if they are mindless fluff. I feel like I should do more to stretch myself with my reading. But then I think, why? I'm 58 years old and I love reading exciting books that I can't put down.

So why do you read? Do you read for the pure enjoyment of it or do you read to try to improve your mind?

[babylonsister]

1. Enjoyment, but I also get enjoyment from books like

'Three Cups of Tea', which is true to life, real, was fairly current, and he has a sequel, which I haven't read yet. And ftr, I read the kind of books you read. Love them!

http://www.threecupsoftea.com/about-the-book/

[fadedrose]

10. I love mysteries, especially with some humor...

Used to read nonfiction, mostly looking for the real religion. Ended up having none, and it feels real.

[InvisibleTouch]

2. Both!

I read more nonfiction for information purposes these days, but I still love a good sci-fi novel. Depends on my mood. It's not unusual for me to be in the middle of several books at the same time.

[customerserviceguy]

3. I'm reading a book about wine right now

It's called "North American Pinot Noir", and since that's my favorite type of wine, I have to say it is for my betterment, as I will be able to make more intelligent choices for my wine cellar.

[pscot]

4. Both

I read alot of history, both for enjoyment and for the pleasure of learning.

[tammywammy]

5. Both

Even when it's to improve my mind with non-fiction I still find that enjoyable. I also like murder mystery thrillers too (I loooove the Women's Murder Club series).

[mzteris]

6. escapism, baby!

'swhy I read fiction.

'swhy I read SF & F and historical (arthurian and related) 95% of the time.

any other kind is too predictable.

[Kali]

7. addiction! can't not do it

I like trash and science.

[kestrel91316]

8. Both. In general, fiction for enjoyment and nonfiction for betterment.

[applegrove]

9. They are the same thing.

[JitterbugPerfume]

11. both

I enjoy both.

[Luciferous]

12. Enjoyment. I also love mysteries!

[Little Star]

13. I have never yet read a fiction book that I did not...

learn something new. So while I read for pure enjoyment I always benefit from new knowledge.

Reading is the best of both worlds!

[Poiuyt]

18. That's the way I feel too

Just the fact that you are reading means that you have to use your mind's eye to visualize what's going on.

Sometimes I think I should expand the types of fiction I read instead of just mysteries and thrillers. Actually, right now I'm reading more of a legal drama (Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly) that I can't put down. I want to take a day off from work so I can finish it!

[LWolf]

14. Both. nt

[SheilaT]

15. I read more non-fiction than fiction, in no small part because

I am interested in practically everything. But my life would be quite dull without the occasional work of fiction. I have gotten fairly picky about what I'm willing to read, simply because there are so many worthwhile books out there, and so little time.

[hippywife]

16. Both.

I enjoy reading so many kinds of books and I love learning new things. :hi:

[closeupready]

17. Depends on my mood, but I find I generally read for entertainment.

I will read nonfiction to learn new things, but typically, it's also a popular nonfiction, like "Salt" or a biography of film stars.