Thursday, January 22, 2009

Booking Through Thursday, on an 'Inspiring' week

The question before the panel this week is:

Since “Inspiration” is (or should) the theme this week … what is your reading inspired by?


Well, this is a hard question for me. I even looked at a few other blogs to see how other people had interpreted it. I don't really know what inspires my reading. I read, in general, because it feels good, and because it's something I've always done. I don't remember learning how to read. I don't remember not being able to read. I knew how to do it by the time I started kindergarten, and it's something I've always done for fun. Furthermore, I don't get people who say things like "I don't like books." Isn't that a little like saying "I don't like movies," or "I don't like television?" All books are not the same. There's at least one out there for everyone, and probably a lot more than one.

What inspires me to read a specific book? I don't really know that either. A great title will often hook me. A writer's reputation will often inspire me to give a book a try, as will seeing the movie or TV show the book became. In the case of nonfiction, of course, it's usually the subject matter that gets me.

I guess that, in general, I read for all the usual reasons. To experience something outside of my own life. For entertainment. To learn something. Most of all, I guess I've just always found it pleasurable. It's a good way to relax, it's something you can do anywhere, and when you're not feeling well, it's something you can do from your bed.