When I was about 8, my mother refused to buy me any more books.* She said she refused to support my obsession with reading. Even my friends knew, at that age, that if they saw me with a book in my hand that I wasn't going to be interested in playing until that book was finished. I've always been the type to read at least 2 books at a time - if not more. Currently, I am reading Wuthering Heights, Holly's Inbox, and The View From Saturday. A classic which requires lots of thought, a chick lit novel, and a children's book. I used to read a Goosebumps and a Babysitter's Club book at the same time, and sometimes a Sweet Valley book.
That being said, you'd think that I would loveeeeee literature classes, or even just plain English classes for that matter.
But I have a confession for you, dear readers. I HATE LITERATURE CLASSES. I've never understood why. I enjoy them to an extent - reading the books, discussing them, what I liked, what I didn't like, but then it would come time to right a paper, or take a test on it, and I would despise it.**
And I've finally realized why: I am completely hedonistic in my love of reading. I read for the pleasure of reading. Not to learn something new, not to expand my mind, not to dissect a book apart until it makes sense. I enjoy reading simply for the love of doing so.
I don't want to analyze books for their symbols, or their themes.*** I simply want to read the story for my enjoyment, and then share it with other people.
I want to read damn it, just for the fun of it. No strings attached.
Kind of like the way a nympho likes sex. Just for the fun of it.****
* She refused to buy me books, but that didn't stop everyone else from doing so. Or from taking me to the library 2-4 times a week, if not more.
**And for the record, I usually enjoy writing papers.
***This could also explain why I despise most poetry.
****If I'm comparing books to sex, maybe I do have a *slight* problem.
1 comments:
That's a funny post. My wife is the same way. She loves to read for enjoyment. I can understand why you like the discussions during lit classes. An open class discussion is a time you can share your thoughts on the material. Rather recite a standard answer. Happy Holidays - mattkendrick.com
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