Why do you read books? Is it to be transported into a different time and place? To learn something or sharpen a skill set via non-fiction? Mindless entertainment? A bit of titillation a la Erotica?
Or are you one of the new masses, who don’t read books at all?
I read all the time. Often other people’s manuscripts, as I’m editing those, but I squeeze in great novels in between. You might be like me and read eclectically, or, hone in on one genre (which is mostly the way).
And even though I do read a bit of everything (heavy on the “bit”), when doing so for pleasure, give me a Literary novel any day.
When I talk to folks about reading (which of course I do anywhere and any time, especially when I see someone with a book in her lap), they often say they devour this author, or that genre. And it doesn’t take long to ferret out that’s pretty much all they read.
We’re drawn to the things we love, no?
And so many people tell me they don’t read Literary because it’s too high brow. Too difficult to wade through. Or just plain not entertaining enough.
This puzzles me. I must confess, although I try—truly I do!—to understand this criticism, I just don’t see it.
Because a great novel, well written, by a writer at the top of her game, includes all the things listed in the first paragraph. And then so much more.
Before the advent of all this technology, people read. Of course, that’s been steadily dropping for a while now. According to a study by the National Endowment for the Arts, “A Decade of Arts Engagement,” in 2012, 55 percent of adults read at least one book in the previous year, which wasn’t required for work or school. Far more women than men read books and/or literature. And the age group most likely to read books and literature is the 65-74 age range. Whether they have more time to read, or grew up reading and never quit, well, that’s up in the air.
Many recent studies have shown the benefits of reading fiction. And these are meaningful reasons.
Keith Oatley, a cognitive psychologist at the University of Toronto, a novelist, and the author of a new review in the journal, Trends in Cognitive Sciences, sums this up nicely:
"People who read more fiction were better at empathy and understanding others."
And this effect is especially prevalent with Literary Fiction.
I’ve thought that all my life. But it’s always nice to have studies to back it up.
Isn’t that in itself enough to encourage everyone to read more? Couldn’t we all, especially in this tumultuous day and time, use a little more understanding and empathy?
And it’s a factor in why I love Lit Fic. Understanding—truly understanding—what makes other folks tick is a fascination of mine. It has changed the way I see the world, absolutely for the better.
When you glimpse under the veil of the “other” in your midst, he isn’t so other after all . . .
I talk about books I love often, and have done so via these posts as well. I love the literary greats of our time, love the insights they create over 400 pages, love the cadence to their voices, the characters they create.
On my crazy one-day trip to Albuquerque, I picked up Ann Patchett’s newest, Commonwealth. I do a lot of reading for pleasure on planes.
Now, Patchett isn’t a barely known writer, as I often write about, but a NY Times bestselling author, and this one hit #1 as well.
What she is, however, is a brilliant author at the very top of her game. The prose is exquisite, equal parts poignancy and humor. The weaving of the storyline, back and forth, executed with such style and grace.
The family secret—one of collaboration by the kids of the blended household—is horrible indeed.
But that’s not what you’re left with. Rather, what sings through these pages is how we bond, with whom we bond, and an understanding of why we do so, in all of our flawed glory.
Now, how can you pass that up? How is this not entertainment of the highest kind?
Does it take an investment not only of time, but of mental acuity as well? Yep. This isn’t like watching a sitcom.
But ahhhhh, the benefits.
Manna from the gods.
So how about it? What if you tried just one Literary novel a year? Just one. I can give you a list J
With all the benefits, and all the enjoyment, it’s a full-circle win.
As Ann Patchett said:
“Reading fiction not only develops our imagination and creativity, it gives us the skills to be alone. It gives us the ability to feel empathy for people we've never met, living lives we couldn't possibly experience for ourselves, because the book puts us inside the character's skin.”
What have you read lately?
Robin Rue
28 Jun 2017I am one of the people that doesn’t read at all, but my husband on the other hand reads every single day. He takes the train to and from work & it’s an hour each way, so he gets in 2 hours of reading time every weekday!
Tonya Wilhelm
28 Jun 2017That’s really interesting. I read to learn. I can’t recall the last time I read a fiction book. But, I enjoy the books packed with info on subjects I want to know more about. 🙂
Susan Malone
28 Jun 2017I’m just glad you read, Tonya! But pick up a novel–reading fiction does such wonderful things for the brain 🙂
Neely Moldovan
28 Jun 2017I just re read one true loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid and I am currently reading Younger after binging the show. Both really good!
Susan Malone
28 Jun 2017Love that, Neely! Isn’t fiction just manna from heaven!
Colleen
28 Jun 2017I’ve just started “Commonwealth,” Susan! Interesting coincidence. I admire Ann Patchett, but can’t wait to get my hands on the new Dennis Lehane, “Since We Fell.” The guy is sooo brilliant. I’ve had the great pleasure of meeting both!
Susan Malone
28 Jun 2017Oh, how funny, Colleen! Enjoy Commonwealth. And I love Lehane too–Since We Fell is on my list!
Janella Panchamsingh
28 Jun 2017Hmmm I guess that is why I have so much empathy for others. It makes total sense
Susan Malone
28 Jun 2017And isn’t that such a nice benefit, Janella!
Heather Johnson
28 Jun 2017We should always draw on things we love, or at least things that interest us. Writing comes across better when the writer is interested in the topic.
Susan Malone
28 Jun 2017Drawing on the things we love makes life so much more rich, doesn’t it, Heather!
Emilee Bradford
28 Jun 2017I would really love to read more, I just really find it difficult to find the time 🙁
Susan Malone
28 Jun 2017Twenty minutes will do! That’s the amount of time the studies show to get the benefits. Just 20 minutes 🙂
Renee groskreutz
28 Jun 2017This really inspires me. Now I want to read some fiction. Thank you for this.
Susan Malone
28 Jun 2017It’s well worth the time, Renee!
Lisa
28 Jun 2017I enjoy lit fiction too! That is when I get a chance to read, which hasn’t been much lately but soon the kids will be grown and I will need things to fill my time!
Susan Malone
29 Jun 2017So glad you love lit fic, Lisa! More time to read once the kids are grown–isn’t that a great carrot!
Tamuria
28 Jun 2017I can’t imagine a life without reading. I absolutely love to read. I read a lot to learn but I also love fiction. I have to be careful with my fiction reading though because I have no willpower when it comes to page turners and life for me stops a bit as I get involved in the world of the book.
Susan Malone
29 Jun 2017Oh, I know the feeling, Tami–I can sure get lost in a book and lose all sense of time. And isn’t that a wonderful book when it happens 🙂
Meghan
28 Jun 2017I find reading of any kind sharpens my wit, improves my writing, and widens my vocabulary. My tastes are diverse, and I do enjoy fiction though I’m often more focused on non-fiction due to my business. My college and graduate studies focused on many of the classics, which I still enjoy to this day. And there’s no finer feeling than sitting at the beach, fiction novel in hand, enjoying the summer sun, warm sand, and ocean breeze!
Susan Malone
29 Jun 2017Reading does all of that, doesn’t it, Meghan–sharpens the wit, improves the writing, and widens the vocabulary. No wonder your own writing is always so fresh!
Jaime
28 Jun 2017I read a lot for pleasure – my Kindle is full! I’ve recently started trusting Amazon’s recommendations and so far they haven’t steered me wrong. (And I’m about to buy Jane Green’s newest book to read on an upcoming trip.)
Susan Malone
29 Jun 2017Truly interesting that Amazon’s recs for you haven’t steered you wrong! You know Amazon tracks how far you read on your Kindle? But it sounds as though that’s working well for you!
Aida Ingram
28 Jun 2017I love novels and this looks like a great read. I have been reading more and to hear your reflections about this read was great.
Susan Malone
29 Jun 2017I highly recommend this one, Aida! It doesn’t disappoint!
Reba Linker
29 Jun 2017ah, I love this post! It feels like the continuation of a conversation I was chatting on phone with a dear friend with whom I like to philosophize on a regular basis (you’d be amazed at the world problems we’ve resolved!). In complete agreement with Keith Oatley, we decided that reading novels made a crucial difference in whether a person was compassionate and self-growth oriented or not. This, we decided, was especially true for folks who come from somewhat isolated countries or areas. Reading allows us to get ‘under the skin’ of someone completely outside our own experience and widens our world and perspective in a truly life-changing way.
That said, I haven;t read one lately, but devoured them as a child – luckily my house was full of classics. So I’ll look for Patchett’s latest – and, yes, I’ll take that list of yours!
Susan Malone
29 Jun 2017Isn’t it just so true, Reba! Getting under someone else’s skin, living their reality, doesn’t it just fundamentally change the way we see the world–in a positive way.
Enjoy Patchett! She’s brilliant. And I’ll do a post with a list!
Candess M Campbell
29 Jun 2017I learned early on that reading could transport me from the chaos of home, to a place where magic happened! I love to read and usually have a few books going at the same time.
Even so, I did have to look up the meaning of Lit Fic. “Literary fiction is a term that has come into common usage in the early 1960s. The term is principally used to distinguish “serious fiction” which is a work that claims to hold literary merit, in comparison from genre fiction and popular fiction.”
I enjoy a variety of writing styles and especially books that lead me into the world through the eyes of someone else. The last fiction book I read that I loved was “All the Light We Cannot See.” Prior to that, “The Yoga of Max’s Discontent” enlightened me.
Susan, I’d love to have your top 3 Literary Fiction suggestions. I’ll start with Commonwealth!
Susan Malone
29 Jun 2017Oh, I love that, Candess! And perhaps I should have defined the term 🙂 Thank you for doing it for me! And didn’t you love All the Light We Cannot See!
It’s hard for me to narrow it down to 3, but if pressed, these off the top of my head:
A River Runs Through It, by Norman Maclean
Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy
The Milagro Beanfield War, by John Nichols
I need to do a post with a list!
Dominee Wyrick
29 Jun 2017I usually stick to genres like historical romance and science fiction, but I do like a classic every now and then. I’m currently re-reading Anne of Green Gables, one of my childhood favorites.
Susan Malone
29 Jun 2017I love that you’re re-reading Anne of Green Gables, Dominee! Aren’t those childhood classics fun to go back to!
Mona McGinnis
29 Jun 2017I start and end most days with reading. I hear so much about summer reads but the winter months are slower for me; that’s when I do my best reading. I’m currently reading Ken Follet’s Century Trilogy – Fall of Giants, Winter of the World, Edge of Eternity. The last tough read I had was Jane Smiley’s “The Greenlanders,” set in the 14th century. Her book “A Thousand Acres” was my introduction to her writing. I enjoy Joseph Boyden’s books – Through Black Spruce, Three Mile Road, and Orenda. I can’t say enough about reading; you never have to be bored and you can learn about anything.
Susan Malone
29 Jun 2017Oh, Mona, I love that you read so much! And that you not only read popular fiction, but lit fic as well. I do adore Jane Smiley. You encapsulated why reading is so luscious!
Beverley Golden
29 Jun 2017When I was younger I did read more fiction, Susan. I was a huge fan of Kurt Vonnegut. Over the years I seem to have moved away from fiction and into what would today be called ‘self-help’ books, as when I was younger, I remember reading books like “I’m Okay, You’re Okay” or “Psychic Discoveries Behind the Iron Curtain”. Leonard Cohen’s – Beautiful Losers and Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s poetry. I actually still have all those books from the 60’s and 70’s on my bookshelf too.
Now I seem to be drawn to a wide-range of books, just not fiction, although I recently went through a period where I read many of Barbara Kingsolver’s books, as I love her writing. There are so many authors and in reflecting, it seems that I go through different periods in my life and just follow my curiosity to the books I am being led to. And I’ve always been a reader…reading since I was four, to anyone who would listen too.
Susan Malone
29 Jun 2017I can tell you’ve always been a reader, Beverley–it’s in your voice 🙂 And I also believe in reading what we’re led to!
Maybe it’s time to break out a great novel 🙂
Kristen Wilson
29 Jun 2017I used to hate to read.. then I grew up.. and fell in love with reading on the beach.. it was such a great escape for me… and I do love it.. but more for escape (duh right) but not typically for lit.. as I hated English Literature in HS… still not a fan… but it’s is for many… like my best friend from HS.. who knew! irony
Susan Malone
30 Jun 2017Isn’t reading on the beach the best, Kristen! I’m just glad you’re reading!
Cathy Sykora
30 Jun 2017So funny you spotlighted that book. I tried to start that one and couldn’t get into it. My home is filled with books. Fiction and non-fiction and I’ve read it all – except Commonwealth. I’ll have to try again! I’ve always given books for gifts, I think they’re the most wonderful gifts for children and adults. Thanks for a great post – and inspiration to try again.
Susan Malone
30 Jun 2017Oh, I love that you read so much, Cathy! And I’m bowing at your feet that you give books as gifts! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Commonwealth is slow going. I love it, but not everyone does. And I’m a big believer that if you don’t like a book, quit it! The world is filled with wonderful ones 🙂
Teresa
2 Jul 2017I do love to read. It came about in my adult life and not so much when younger. These days I am all over stories of motivation, overcoming obstacles, mind-body-spirit related. I appreciate the comments on how reading more fiction increases out empathy and understanding – it has certainly been that way for me too.
Susan Malone
3 Jul 2017And there are a LOT of stories like that out there, Teresa! Glad you’re enjoying them!
Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com
4 Jul 2017Hi Susan! I so agree. I sort of got away from reading fiction until the last few months when I joining a book club just to force myself to read fiction. With my blog I find I am constantly reading lots of nonfiction–which I do appreciate and find fascinating–but like you said, I had forgotten how much pure pleasure I find in just reading fiction. And yes, I would LOVE to see your list of books you’d recommend. Next blog post??? ~Kathy
Susan Malone
5 Jul 2017I love that you joined a book club to get you back to fiction, Kathy! And isn’t reading that just pure pleasure 🙂
I’ve actually started that list and it’s getting out of control. Lol. But I’ll post it soon!
Jennifer Quisenberry of The Awesome Muse
4 Jul 2017I love to read lit fiction too. It’s my favorite and I’m a voracious reader. Recently, I went to our local library’s “friends of the library” book sale, and bought a ton of books. I’m working on a Ken Follet title I had not read before.
Susan Malone
5 Jul 2017That is such music to my ears, Jennifer! SO glad you’re reading so much lit fic!