You Want Me To Read What?

Our Library Associate Matthew did such a great job at explaining why we should read "weird" books that I figured I would keep the topic going another week. Being one of the millions of people who normally just sticks to reading what I feel comfortable to read; and after having numerous debates and conversations with Matthew on the topic of "weird" books, it got me to thinking. Why do we find it so hard to try new authors or new genres? As a society, we tend to always play it safe; stick to what makes us comfortable. Never step outside the box or the line that we have so perfectly created for ourselves. When we enter into the literary world of the library and we look at the shelves of the hundreds, the thousands, and even millions of books, we are quick to say that there is nothing to read simply because we don’t see the normal literature sitting on the self. And when I say normal, I mean our favorite authors who publish and release five books a month. And in these books, we can automatically, as soon as we finish the first chapter, know exactly how the story line will play out. And in our heads, we have already envisioned the end. And once that book is closed, we go, what a great story! Yes, it was a great story, but we already knew that it would be. Books are like miniature ways to travel but without a price tag. They are supposed to take you into the places of the unknown. A well written mystery or suspense book is supposed to make you feel like you are right there in the thick of the moment but leave you teetering on the edge of being really unsure of what is going to happen next. An outstanding fantasy novel should challenge your mind to think, what if that really happened? Or make you wonder, what if these types of things really do happen in actual reality? Science Fiction is supposed to press those quizzical moments of how, when and why within the depths of your mind. And as a society who forever wants to know more about this ever-changing world, why have we become so comfortable with normal literature? Is it because in actuality we are afraid? Afraid to try a new book due to the fear of being judged? Or is it because we are really afraid that once we begin diving into something new that challenges our thought process that it may cause an overwhelming response of emotions that we never knew we had? Ernest Hemingway said, “Books are alike in that they are truer than if they had really happened. And after you finished reading one you will feel that all that happened to you and afterwards it all belongs to you; the good and the bad, the ecstasy, the remorse and sorrow, the people and the places, and how the weather was.” So, the next time you walk into a library and you are thumbing through your favorite authors to see if they have anything new on the shelf, and that big black book with the bold embellished red lettering on it keeps catching your attention out of the corner of your eye, stop what you are doing right then. Walk over to that book that is calling for your attention. And without fear or worry about what others may say or think, pick it up. You never know, that very moment may be the moment that changes your thought process about trying new authors and genres for a life time. So yeah, that book....uh-huh...that one.....READ THAT!

Written By

Cheryl Dickens

Branch Manager