I was going to post yesterday, but I was too upset mourning over the great Alan Rickman to even glance at all of your posts let alone write my own.
Anyway lets talk about books. Or really if we are too into books.
I barely have a circle of book lovers around me, not including you wonderful people. My family don’t despise books, but they are not dedicated to reading, even for enjoyment. My friends are more interested in Netflix and Instagram. And other peers, like students, just don’t see the point. So as you can imagine, I get repeated remarks about reading and how it’s so dumb. Here are just a few I have received this week:
How can you read? It’s so boring!
You cried about a character in a book, what the hell!
It’s just a book man, calm down.
You read too much.
Are you addicted?
My dad repeatedly asks me the last question. I mean I love reading! Reading is the best hobby you can pick up in my opinion. What’s so bad about wanting to leave this crappy world and journey into another. Reading has already opened my eyes to so much and I fill, I don’t know, fuller because of all of the information I have acquired. I hate how people think I am too into books.
Sorry, but how can you be too into books? I know that you need to remember to live and not get trapped in books, but it’s not like I’m not experiencing anything new. Teen years were when you discover and learn about yourself and what it means to be you. If reading books are helping me on this quest why shouldn’t I be able to! Reading is as much a hobby as football is, or baking so leave us book nerds alone!
I wish I had the power to give a book to a person that will make them fall in love with reading. Just one book could change everything! Reading different books gives you different perspectives on life, love, pain, grief. Reading is a very liberating thing to do.
I don’t know, maybe I am too into books. Maybe I shouldn’t be crying over a character’s death or swooning over a nicely described male character.But I’m a reader and my emotions are enhanced while reading.
I’m thinking of making a personal blog so that I don’t have to rant on this one. What do you thing about that? Anyway, tell me what you think about…well reading in general. Do you think we can get to intense about reading? Or do you think reading is all rainbows and sunshine. Tell me down below and I’ll be sure to reply!
I’ll write soon!
-Astra
A Stranger's Guide To Novels 
I think being “obsessed” with reading is a much healthier hobby than some other things — such as obsessing over celebrity drama or reality tv. Reading lets us experience things we may not otherwise deal with in our lives, and reading accomplishes this in a much more intimate way than a movie ever could (I don’t see how anyone could insist the movie was better than the book). As readers, we get to experience the inner thoughts and feelings of the characters, something very few other mediums allow us to do, so we become intimately attached to them. So it’s okay to have strong reactions to something you’ve read. That’s probably what the author was attempting to do anyways.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for posting your point firstly. Secondly, your totally right! Reading is a very unique medium, which creates a very connected experience when your reading. Having strong reactions when reading is only natural. As readers we live many lives through the characters which can only enrich us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally agree with your perspective. Reading is fun & magical, and if others don’t appreciate it, that’s okay. Do what you love — if that’s how you want to spend your life, then go ahead!! In my opinion, reading is an amazing hobby and really, anyone can do it. There is something for everyone, with all the different genres and authors. And of course, the book community is always welcoming new readers. So, no, I do not think that us, readers, can get too intense about reading. I mean, if it wasn’t intense, where’s the fun? š
Great post, Astra!
-Jess @jbelkbooks
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for agreeing XD Yes reading is truly brilliant and can really open your eyes and guide you. I don’t understand why more people don’t read as, as you pointed out, there is so much variety. Don’t like romance, there’s Sci- Fi. Don’t like Sci-Fi, there’s contemporary. Hahaha yes, if we’re weren’t so connected what would be the point of reading for leisure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, no problem. Again, wonderful post š
-Jess @jbelkbooks
LikeLiked by 1 person
No one really understands a book lover’s passion except for another book lover. I also get those remarks and that one, “It’s just a book” peeves me a lot. It’s NEVER JUST a book. To someone who doesn’t comprehend our intense love for reading, I just tell them they haven’t found the right book for them yet. Love readibg your thoughts here, Astra. I can relate so much š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! You can’t really have this conversation with non- book lovers. They would just look at you like your crazy. That’s why I love this platform, we all have a shared love for characters that aren’t just characters and deaths that aren’t just deaths. Well it felt good to write all of my thoughts š I’m glad you enjoy reading them!
LikeLike
Yeah, I get too invested in books and characters in books. I don’t get what the big deal is, to me it’s just my normal. Books are great, and I too get lost in them and cry uncontrollably when my favourite character dies. Is it “healthy”? Probably not, but most things these days aren’t. I’d rather obsess over books with my fellow booknerds than do anything else. Books are magic and I truly believe they can help you with any & every kind of emotion/situation you might be going through. And I totally agree, people who don’t love reading, just haven’t found the right book yet. Great post! Don’t create a personal blog, I want to read all your feelings here! Or do, I’d just follow that one anyway š
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think reading is a unique hobby. Effectively, us readers are living many lives through the POVs of the characters. So of course we are going to feel things strongly. I have never met anyone who has read through the Harry Potter series and does not have a strong feeling about it. Maybe some people can detach themselves from the book but I don’t think you are experiencing the book properly. I agree with your comment completely!
Aw thanks you, your too sweet! It felt nice ranting on this blog š
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this post and I agree with every sentence. You know, sometimes it’s just hard for people to understand that someone can be interested in such a “nerdy” thing like reading. They are just scared of all the worlds in books they have never seen. I think reading is a great thing and getting emotionally bonded with books actually means you ARE healthy. Anyway, so nice thoughts, thank you for this post š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! And yes, people are scared of the unknown and I think even scared of falling in love with reading and being branded a ‘nerd’. Hahahaha yes, I mean if you don’t feel upset about the Book Thief I would refer you to a therapist! Some books you just need to feel something.
Thank you for your comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think it’s an issue at all. There are worse things to spend time and money on. Plus the way I see it, absolutely everybody is effected by words, whether they’re complimented or insulted, those words will affect their feelings…the only difference with books is that the words aren’t about us, but they’re much more effective/built up. If that makes any sense?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s always my counter argument. Books are nothing compared to being into drugs or something else. Don’t worry you make sense! Of course books are going to be impactful to the reader after hundreds and hundreds of pages of certain characters and what not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We definitely do get too connected, but it’s normal when you’re a fan of reading/writing. I mean there’s so many of us that can fangirl with each other. It’s the same thing as when people gush over movies and actors/actresses. They’re in love with the character, not the actual person. They don’t even know them! Reading is an art, so we should be having feelings connected to it. I’m right there with you and so are A LOT of others š
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your point of view! Your so right, it’s like fangirling over movies and actors/actresses. It’s annoying when it comes to reading it’s something totally different and weird. There’s nothin weird about connecting and relating to fictional characters or situations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never got into trouble for a lot of things when I was little, except for reading with a torchlight past my bedtime. I was always obsessed with reading, sometimes more and sometimes less. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be emotionally involved in the stories you read. Studies have shown that people have a way higher EQ and are therefore more likely able to empathize with other people if they read a lot. (And no, I did not look that up … one of my friends sent me the link.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh really? I haven’t heard of those studies before but it makes sense that we will be able to empathise better. There are much worse things to be ‘addicted’ to.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree š If reading is my only vice, I am happy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
OH god this is perfection! I completely agree with this. Can you really read to much? Really? I don’t think so :]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha thanks for agreeing with me š Nope I don’t think so too! Reading is so valuable how can you have too much?
LikeLike
I love this post Astra! Books don’t usually get me to the point where I cry, but they are something that I love and has gotten me through some tough times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
I know what you mean, books have something special about them which can make you a stronger person.
LikeLiked by 1 person