FICTION OR NON-FICTION

[rapa]

I found this article interesting as my DH only reads non-fiction and has no use for stories. I thrive on stories, both fact and fiction.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/novel-finding-reading-lit...

What is your pleasure?

[Mandy Muffin]

My better-half is a non-fiction reader only.  But I have been reading all kinds of novels since I have been a kid.  I have a minor in English Lit from college, so I guess I should know the subtleties between the various genres of fiction, but I like all kinds: classical, traditional and some of the more esoteric type writing that becomes popular from time to time. I read to take my mind on journeys all over the world and beyond, explore mysteries and meet interesting people.  I guess that's as good a reason as any.  I am current reading "The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry" by Gabrielle Zevin. 

I don't know about the effect reading has had on my own personality and understanding of human nature but it sure makes for a more knowledgeable Jeopardy player.  There was many a time that I got an answer seemingly out of the blue but the truth was that I had read that fact in a novel at one one time.   

My only problem is that there may come a time when I forget all those facts.  I was moved by reading, "Still Alice" this year (I also saw the movie).  My own mother suffered through the ravages of Alzheimer's, when she was about my age.  It eventually took her life.  But in the meantime I will continue my lifelong chain-reading habit. 

[Mandy Muffin]

By coincidence, I just ran across a passage from "The Storied Life of A J Fikry," that fits this discussion:

The narrator, Amelia, a single lady in the dating mode, explains a reason she and her past computer-match didn't hit it off on the first date:

"She asked him about the book that had the greatest influence on his life, and he replied 'Principles of Accounting Part II.'" 

[Carci]

Very interesting article, rapa.  I read mostly fiction unless the non-fiction is told in story form, ie: UnBroken, 5 Minutes to Freedom, The Glass Castle, etc.

I agree that literary fiction makes you more empathetic.  The many novels I have read set during WWII have made me appreciate how lucky I am to be living in the here and now.