Fiction or nonfiction?
Why?
Both is an acceptable answer. Please elaborate.
Both is an acceptable answer. Please elaborate.
SW-User
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Angelfire21 · 36-40, F
Absolutely both! My favorite genre is Historical Fiction, which tends to have a little of both. I really loved the Boudica novels which are fiction based on non-fiction (history).
But more importantly, I think a person should read a little of everything. At first, I had clear ideas about what types of novels I enjoyed and then a friend of my moms gave me a huge box of books. It was a good mix of things I was sure I would hate and there were some lemons in there, but I read every scrap of text in that box and, since then, have been more open minded about literature.
It almost doesn't matter what you're reading, as long as you're reading.
But more importantly, I think a person should read a little of everything. At first, I had clear ideas about what types of novels I enjoyed and then a friend of my moms gave me a huge box of books. It was a good mix of things I was sure I would hate and there were some lemons in there, but I read every scrap of text in that box and, since then, have been more open minded about literature.
It almost doesn't matter what you're reading, as long as you're reading.
SW-User
@Angelfire21 I had a similar experience! My aunt gave me a box of books, and I read them all. There was some stray erotica, which lead to some interesting (and awkward) conversations, but we also found that we loved the same music, and shared many of the same existential pains. I'm really glad she gave me those books.
Though now, I do prefer non-fiction, if given the choice. Thanks for sharing that story! Also, I only know Baudica from the Civilization games. She was a barbarian warqueen, yes?
Though now, I do prefer non-fiction, if given the choice. Thanks for sharing that story! Also, I only know Baudica from the Civilization games. She was a barbarian warqueen, yes?
Angelfire21 · 36-40, F
My box included the Clan of the Cave Bear series, which has it's own version of erotica after book 2ish (haha), and some of the series written by V.C. Andrews which was a little hard to get through. There were also two biographical novels by the same author whose name I cannot remember (Nancy Milford) but they were called "Savage Beauty" about Edna St. Vincent Millay (the poet) and "Zelda" about Zelda Fitzgerald. Both excellent books.
And Boudica was a Celt warqueen, yes. There is not enough information about her to really chronicle her life with much detail, so the author took as much as history had for her and filled in the rest with what I find to be a beautifully crafted world and a look into what this ancient culture COULD have been like. It's also one of the rare sets of books in which Rome is not the main focus, but rather the enemy.
She sort of invented a spiritual concept in the books for the ancient tribal celts that, while probably not accurate at all, is very interesting.
And Boudica was a Celt warqueen, yes. There is not enough information about her to really chronicle her life with much detail, so the author took as much as history had for her and filled in the rest with what I find to be a beautifully crafted world and a look into what this ancient culture COULD have been like. It's also one of the rare sets of books in which Rome is not the main focus, but rather the enemy.
She sort of invented a spiritual concept in the books for the ancient tribal celts that, while probably not accurate at all, is very interesting.
SW-User
@Angelfire21 You might enjoy a book called "the wake". I don't remember the particulars (I didn't read it, I only heard about it) but here's the gist: The author, who is a historian and language Philosopher I believe, chronicles the life of a fictional general who still speaks "the old language" (old english) even as his armies are being decimated and his culture subsumed by the conquering forces.
That was a -really- bad summary. It's similar to what you were talking about, though: The author had to take some creative liberties and draw on his linguistic and historical knowledge to create a kind of protolanguage. It's very thought provoking, as the main character supposedly has a deeper connection to his lands, which are being seized, -because- of his lnaguage.
That was a -really- bad summary. It's similar to what you were talking about, though: The author had to take some creative liberties and draw on his linguistic and historical knowledge to create a kind of protolanguage. It's very thought provoking, as the main character supposedly has a deeper connection to his lands, which are being seized, -because- of his lnaguage.
Angelfire21 · 36-40, F
SW-User
@Angelfire21 'Course! And welcome, friend, if you're new here!
Angelfire21 · 36-40, F
SW-User
@Angelfire21 I am too! Can never have too many book-lovers 'round!
Randomlygenerated · 26-30, F
@Angelfire21 I absolutely agree - if you can be open minded about what literature you are reading, it can only help you to become more open minded generally. Also, anything you read is essentially someone else's thoughts, so the more varied your reading, the more you'll understand other points of view, I think.
SW-User
@Randomlygenerated I wanted to say this, but couldn't think of how to get across the "Fiction and non-fiction do essentially the same thing" bit. Thanks for the help! XD
Randomlygenerated · 26-30, F
@SW-User And this is why discussion is just as important (if not more so!) as reading, right? 🙂
SW-User
Organic discussion, absolutely! Some of the best moments of my life have been having discussions with people.
When I was a TA I had to moderate forced discussions for points though, and that kill's people's passion for learning: When you tell them how many people they have to reply to, give them a certain time frame, etc.
Glad to meet a kindred spirit, though!
When I was a TA I had to moderate forced discussions for points though, and that kill's people's passion for learning: When you tell them how many people they have to reply to, give them a certain time frame, etc.
Glad to meet a kindred spirit, though!
Randomlygenerated · 26-30, F
Definitely! Part of the reason I joined this site is because I miss the four different discussion/book groups I was part of before moving back to my small hometown. I have found only one book group here, which sadly clashes with my work hours. I hope to do something about this sad lack, but in the meantime I look forward to online discussions 🙂
SW-User
@Randomlygenerated There's none where I live, sadly. I'm in a similar situation.
Randomlygenerated · 26-30, F
Angelfire21 · 36-40, F
@Randomlygenerated Book lover here and you can invite me when you get a group going for sure!
Randomlygenerated · 26-30, F
@Angelfire21 I was actually meaning a physical group in my local town, but now that you mention it an online book group isn't a bad idea! I suspect a different platform to this site may be needed though... something to chew on!
Angelfire21 · 36-40, F
@Randomlygenerated Oh, see here I got so excited I was expecting something I could join in on :P If you do, don't forget me!
Randomlygenerated · 26-30, F
@Angelfire21 Definitely! Not making any promises it'll happen as I'm not particularly good at online stuff, but as you've been the inspiration here I'll certainly not leave you out!
Angelfire21 · 36-40, F
Randomlygenerated · 26-30, F
@Angelfire21 Looked into the online book group idea, and seems like good reads would be your best bet! I'm not on it myself, but it looks like a good platform for it and a good place to find fellow readers. I think I'm going to hold out until I see if a startup in my local community comes to anything, but let me know if you decide to try good reads!