Why Do People Read Novels?

First of all, I respect your opinion and I find it an interesting theory. However, I must disagree. I believe you have read far too many "bad" novels. And what do I mean by this? Novels that describe too much, leaving you, the reader, ultimately bored. Have you ever heard the word a picture is worth a thousand words? Take this painting, for instance.

http://www.precinemahistory.net/images/vanloo_pain...

For me, there are so many questions that arise in my head when I see it. Where is this family going? Are they a family? Why does the mother/sister have a curious facial expression? What are their backstories? What are their futures? This is just an example. I could definitely generate a much larger quantity of questions if I decided to.

Now, think about this. That was only a picture. An entire novel does that and much more. People who are uninspired, especially to write, are encouraged to read as much as they can. I agree with them. It's like that painting. I may think that they are going to America, while some may argue and say that they are already in America. Or they may say that this isn't even a family at all, but three complete strangers who met at a random place. But, they may say, it is their "destiny" to meet. Which then brings on more questions. Why are they meeting? Why is it their "destiny?" A novel fills someone with creativity, imagination, words, sounds, images, etc.

But what about those who aren't writers, but simply love to read? Why do they love to read? My answer would be to escape to another place and vacate myself from my actual life to read a story that leaves me breathless.

Great question, by the way! :)

Any person from my school could easily answer this question, it's sad that you don't know. Literature can be for personal entertainment or to gain knowledge. To pass boredom or to gain some kind of new knowledge.

I think Novels definitely enrich the mind; whether it helps by expanding someones knowledge or just letting imagination grow. It's all in the creativity in a humans mind.

I read novels because they're fun; more than fun, excitingly enriching and enticing. I believe people read books because it gives them something to do, something to talk about, something to enjoy without having to turn on a tv or go outside and bake in the sun. Books, novels, etc., shouldn't be seen as a waste of time or whatever you are trying to imply, but they should be respected as the timeless things that they are.

I read novels because, they are so much more interesting then television and movies. I love being able to know why a characters thought process and why they do what they do. There are very few T.V. shows or movies that get that in depth with characters. It's also more fun to think about how a character looks going off a description instead of just seeing it. Mental stimulation is something we all need as human beings. For some of us, television doesn't do it.

Novels allow you to envision another place and characters. Then journey with them. It has been proven that reading evokes more brain activity then television. People don't read novels to learn. They read them for entertainment.

people such as myself read novels to gaze upon the views of other people. If you really search you may find that some novels are appealing to you. As to the vocabulary, I have personally found that some novels use worse language than most people. Novels also expose you to other cultures. It is great that you enjoy those text books, but some, if not most people ring those to difficult to comprehend, therefore, novels are a creative more easy to understand option.

because it is fun. call me a nerd, but its fun to place youself and imagine the things in the book, its almost like dreaming while ur awake, or traveling to a different place.

i think it does require creativity, it not like you can just look at a picture, like on tv or in picture books, and all the images are there for you, u have to change the words into the picture, and imagine it, and each person who reads the same book will probably imagine it a little differently.

im sorry that you feel that way about novels

but i do agree with you that writing one or thinking of ur own ideas does require more creativity, but books are there for sharing creativity/ideas.

and reading textbook by proffesors are alot more educational, but its not as fun, in my opinon.

I read novels to unwind. Some novels are valuable because they make us think deeply about human nature. (Like classics). Even fun, ditsy, trashy novels are written better than some sitcoms. Educational books are important, but sometimes a person just needs to unwind and read something fun just for the heck of it.

i think it might be same reason people watch movies with made up stories. i prefer reading a factual book instead of a novel very much but some people just like to read a story and try to figure out the "deep meanings"

I only read novels with fresh ideas, and trust me.. there are alot out there.

Also, some people read novels to 'escape' from their daily life.

A third reason, is as entertainment, or a way to pass the time.

Everything you learn in life shouldn't be able to be read out of a text book. You should be able to learn things from your own mistakes and experiences, along with the other ones that you learn from reading novels.

when you say novel i think stories

and i say they worth reading cause reading is entertaining

its like asking why people watch tv? or that they should only watch the discovery channel

Reading novels is actually quite fun all you need is a little bit of imagination and a good novel and let the journey begin