Why should we read books for pleasure - your opinions?

Question

why should anyone adult read books for pleaure?

instead of reading, i think adults should all do other beneficial activites, like spend time with family, friends, tv, EXERCISE, EXERCISE, relaxing, etc.

I am a family doctor and i feel that reading pleaure books will do nothing in my life. I know how to read, and would like to do something pleasurable in my relaxing time. I rather just do somehting else. I am not going to school, so why should i practice reading.

People who are in school should practice reading, and not adults (this is my opinion, it is your choice if you want to read or not, so dont get me wrong)

your thoughts, feelings, motivations, etc
thank you

Warning: this message is not intended to discourage children and adults from reading


stating if you are an adult or adolescent will help
more details will help me understantd through the ethnocentrism viewpoint

(i only read 2 scientifc magazines, Time mag. once a month (like 1 hour a month),

Answer 1

Ok, to start, I'm a 16-year-old girl who loves reading.

I think that adults (well.. everyone, but your question specified adults) should read for pleasure for many reasons. For many people, it's relaxing. It's a way to escape from stress. Sure, some of the other beneficial things you mentioned are escapes, too, but some people just prefer to read. Another reason - reading sparks imaginations. A person might read a book (for pleasure!) and suddenly be inspired to work to find a cure for cancer, write the screenplay for the next big blockbuster, think of an alternative fuel to power automobiles, etc. Also, people, adults in particular, should read to keep their minds active. I'm sure that doing those other things that you mentioned are beneficial to the mind as well, but reading improves vocabulary. Having a wealth of words to choose from enables a person to communicate his ideas clearly. Also, I'm sure that reading can help keep one's memory healthy. Most importantly, people (adults and adolescents alike) pleasure-read just for the sake of enjoying it. You may not enjoy reading a story, but many people do. If reading is what makes someone happy, he should read as often as he likes - happiness is only beneficial.

Besides, who's to say that just because someone enjoys reading, they're not doing those other beneficial things you mentioned?

I understand and respect that you don't like to read for pleasure - a lot of people don't - but many of us do enjoy it very much! I hope you understand and respect my ideas/opinions as well. =)

Answer 2

Reading, no matter the age of the reader, can increase a person's vocabulary. Some people use reading as a type of escape.

Personally I go through periods of time when I don't pick up a book at all. Then there are other times that I practically devour books. I just get in the mood to read.

I have realized that due to all the reading that I have done over the years, I cannot help but point out typos or grammatical mistakes. I've actually found a few in books that I read. I will tell you this though, it makes it difficult for me to do the typical "shorthand" people use for text messaging and IM-ing these days. LOL

Anyway, I am an adult with 2 children, whom I have aways encouraged to read. On cold winter days when there's really nothing to do, you might find us sitting around together, each with our own book.

Answer 3

42 year old woman here. I have been reading for pleasure every since I learned how to read. Why? 1. Even while reading for pleasure I still learn something everytime I read. 2. It has helped me with grammer and spelling. 3. I learn new words. ( I keep a dictionary close by to look up words I do not know) 4. Books can help you understand and learn about the past history of events and places. 5. Books can also increase your knowledge in different areas. Take Robin Cook, if your reading him, then you are bound to learn something interesting in the medical field. Or at least you'll come away with something to think about.
So overall, reading is a very healthy activity. And the one thing I tell my grandkids is that " Books are your best friend. They will never leave you, and they'll always be there to take you to another place."
On the other issue you brought up: Reading is only one part of a well balanced life. I believe family time is the most important thing for our children and the one thing that most people don't achieve. Everything should be balanced. I read at night after bedtime, (my kids are grown and out of the house, but my husband isn't, and until he is in bed, it is still family time) and when I am alone on weekends.

Answer 4

I am a college student and I believe that there are many things that you can fill your time with, but reading is important in that you can expand your knowledge of vocabulary and understanding of other cultures and history. No matter what you are reading about, historical fiction, fantasy, or novels, all writing has some aspect of history, or legend involved. You can also learn some of the same things from TV (vocabulary, history, ect...) however in most cases there is simply not enough time or resources to include everything you could learn from a book. Take for example Harry Potter, the movies made after the book are done very well, and someone who does not read can understand the story line just fine, however after reading the book you know so much more about what is happening and why and how. You learn more vocabulary, meet other fantasy creatures, and understand the characters better. I suppose what I am trying to say is that reading gives better rounded and balanced concepts.

Answer 5

Note: I am a young adult

Your question seems to assume that reading is not pleasurable in and of itself. While it may not be pleasurable for you, it is for many other people. Yes, reading has many benefits, such as improving a person's vocabulary, and it is good for kids to "practice reading" so that they will be proficient enough in it to succeed in their jobs, but that does not preclude it from being an enjoyable activity to many. Certainly if you don't like to read you should not be required to as an adult. However, while you enjoy yourself watching TV or just relaxing, someone else might enjoy himself/herself reading a book. As with anything else, you can have too much of a good thing; if you read to the point of excluding your family or other duties, then there is a problem. However, reading for a couple of hours a day or whenever you have some spare time is not a bad thing. All this is to say nothing of the other benefits books have besides helping you to become a better reader (e.g. giving you a new perspective on life, seeing things from someone else's point of view, or conveying a certain message). So, there are many reasons for an adult to read books for pleasure, the most important one being that that adult likes to read.

I hope that helped, have a nice day.

Answer 6

First of all, some adults and children are not able to exercise due to disabilities.

I believe I am a well-rounded person who participates in many beneficial activites from painting and sculpting to writing, reading, socializing with friends, family and neighbors.

Reading is the most relaxing, pleasurable activity I enjoy. For a while I had stopped reading because I could not hold a book and then one of my doctor's suggested I try audiobooks which I have been able to do since another doctor finally found a simple solution for my migraine headaches.

Honestly, I find I am a more interesting person when I am on a roll reading new books. I am relaxed and I'm sure this contributes to lowered blood pressure. Even my dogs and cat are calmer when I read. They curl up around and on top of me. Using audiobooks keeps my hands free to pat and rub them.

Reading has opened up the world to me ever since I was a child and began reading out loud to my Dad after he went blind.

I always though family practitioners advocated a well-balanced approach to life. It seems to me your approach to life is isolated from the world around you, and, frankly, closed-minded.

Frankly, your statement made me sad for both you and the families you treat.

I'm sitting here typing what other doctors like Robin Cook might think of your philosophy. ;-)

Answer 7

People can read books if they so choose. I do, because they can be entertaining, well thought out, and genuinely interesting. Reading a decent book is certainly better that watching whatever drivel gets put on TV. Also, it's completely realistic for one to fit reading into one's life, (Certainly more realistic than religion.) it doesn't have to be some all-consuming activity, perhaps only a half hour a day.

In short, reading can be rather enjoyable when one is looking to relax and take a break, or just for fun.

By the way: I'm 15 years old.

Answer 8

well honestly, reading a book is either fun for you or it's not. if you don't get anything out of it, then i would not encourage you to do so. for those who do love to read, it is certainly pleasurable, not to mention increasing your vocabulary and knowledge. i don't know if you just have never found the right book but i highly doubt you will ever enjoy it. i strongly believe that children should be given an early appreciation of reading books for pleasure. it's just one other part of the arts that risks dying around the world. it's something you feel and if you don't feel it, there's nothing for it. i'm over 30. i've been reading for pleasure since before i went to elementary school. in school, i read both the books i was expected to read for school AND other books i wanted to read on my own. one is not the same or a substitute for the other. it's too bad you don't enjoy it but it sounds like you keep yourself plenty busy without it.

by the way, just because someone reads doesn't mean they don't also spend their time in all the other ways that you mentioned.

Answer 9

First I am an adult, and I read for pleasure. My motivations are mostly insomnia. I exercise 2 times once morn. once night. I spend plenty of time with family and friends as well. No one I know wants to socialize all hours of the night. But even if I wasn't an insomniac I would still take time to read imagination is a avenue to the soul.

Answer 10

I'm an adult and in my opinion you are either lying about being a doctor or you are not a good doctor at all. Two of my siblings are doctors and any doctor (well, any good doctor anyways) will tell you that taking time to relax is physically beneficial. Most adults that read do so to relax and forget about their own problems for a little while. So, my advice to you is to either stop lying about have a medical degree, or go back to school.