Why Do I Read Those Things?
Seems like I haven't had much to say for a while, but all of a sudden the last day or two I've felt like posting several times. And not bad/stressful stuff, either! Yay!! :)
So...my last post. Yes, I know it may have been a little volatile. But I'm leaving it, because it's where I'm at. And the initial purpose of this blog was to be a place to discuss my theological thoughts, because I had MANY. All the time. I'm changing a lot. Discovering truth is a large part of who I am, and the lifetime JOURNEY to discovering that truth is something I treasure, even though at times I find it difficult being in an "in-between," less-certain place. So, I noticed I lost a follower. That's okay (though it just goes to prove the point of my last post). It's hard to face difficult questions or very opposing views to what we believe - it causes a very uncomfortable condition called cognitive dissonance. I've been there. It IS very uncomfortable, and that's putting it mildly.
But today, I have some other thoughts to talk about.
I came across this post by Modern Mrs. Darcy blogger Anne Bogel discussing WHAT OUR FAVORITE BOOKS SAY ABOUT OUR OWN CHARACTER. It's an interesting read, and it got me thinking about my own favorite things to read, and what they say about me. Like Anne, it's difficult for me to choose a particular "favorite" book...but a few do come to mind.
I love the Harry Potter series and Lord of the Rings. I've read many other fantasy series, too, and if I write my own novel, it will likely fit in the same genre. The creativity jumps out to me about these books - they contain all types of mysterious objects, diverse characters, and fluid "rules" for various worlds and situations. They involve heroes and villains and great personal struggle. Life in the story is not ordinary, ever, for the reader...but yet it is, for the characters - especially after the crisis has been overcome. The foreign nature of the fantastical setting gives a busy mind a lot of detail to pay attention to as the action unfolds, and the struggle usually requires make-or-break decisions to be made by the character/s on moral matters and personal values. In the end, evil is defeated (or set at bay), good prevails (usually), and the character resumes life-as-usual knowing he/she has played an important part in the unfolding of all things.
Historical Fiction is another genre I have enjoyed as long as I can remember. When I was young I loved anything by Scott O'Dell, and anything about pioneers moving into uncharted lands to live or interact with its inhabitants. I still love historical fiction (like the one I read recently on Catherine the Great, and the Highlander series, which I'm still working on). There are a lot of the same elements here, as in any story - the character facing crisis and making life-changing decisions, etc. The obvious conclusion is that I love history! But also, perhaps I find comfort in the idea that these stories represent people who have gone before - real people - who have already walked the road, survived the journey, affected their world, and determined their destiny.
Perhaps I long for some kind of adventure.
Perhaps what I desire is direction and assurance that it is right and things will be okay.
...Or maybe I just like a good plot!
What to you like to read, and what do you think it might say about you?
So...my last post. Yes, I know it may have been a little volatile. But I'm leaving it, because it's where I'm at. And the initial purpose of this blog was to be a place to discuss my theological thoughts, because I had MANY. All the time. I'm changing a lot. Discovering truth is a large part of who I am, and the lifetime JOURNEY to discovering that truth is something I treasure, even though at times I find it difficult being in an "in-between," less-certain place. So, I noticed I lost a follower. That's okay (though it just goes to prove the point of my last post). It's hard to face difficult questions or very opposing views to what we believe - it causes a very uncomfortable condition called cognitive dissonance. I've been there. It IS very uncomfortable, and that's putting it mildly.
But today, I have some other thoughts to talk about.
I came across this post by Modern Mrs. Darcy blogger Anne Bogel discussing WHAT OUR FAVORITE BOOKS SAY ABOUT OUR OWN CHARACTER. It's an interesting read, and it got me thinking about my own favorite things to read, and what they say about me. Like Anne, it's difficult for me to choose a particular "favorite" book...but a few do come to mind.
I love the Harry Potter series and Lord of the Rings. I've read many other fantasy series, too, and if I write my own novel, it will likely fit in the same genre. The creativity jumps out to me about these books - they contain all types of mysterious objects, diverse characters, and fluid "rules" for various worlds and situations. They involve heroes and villains and great personal struggle. Life in the story is not ordinary, ever, for the reader...but yet it is, for the characters - especially after the crisis has been overcome. The foreign nature of the fantastical setting gives a busy mind a lot of detail to pay attention to as the action unfolds, and the struggle usually requires make-or-break decisions to be made by the character/s on moral matters and personal values. In the end, evil is defeated (or set at bay), good prevails (usually), and the character resumes life-as-usual knowing he/she has played an important part in the unfolding of all things.
Historical Fiction is another genre I have enjoyed as long as I can remember. When I was young I loved anything by Scott O'Dell, and anything about pioneers moving into uncharted lands to live or interact with its inhabitants. I still love historical fiction (like the one I read recently on Catherine the Great, and the Highlander series, which I'm still working on). There are a lot of the same elements here, as in any story - the character facing crisis and making life-changing decisions, etc. The obvious conclusion is that I love history! But also, perhaps I find comfort in the idea that these stories represent people who have gone before - real people - who have already walked the road, survived the journey, affected their world, and determined their destiny.
Perhaps I long for some kind of adventure.
Perhaps what I desire is direction and assurance that it is right and things will be okay.
...Or maybe I just like a good plot!
What to you like to read, and what do you think it might say about you?
Personally I love reading emotional books! People say it influences me a lot because I am already turning emotion but I don't really care. www.mydiaryasagrowinggirl.blogspot.com
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