I like to read. It makes me feel good when I learn new things. I also have a bit of a fear of saying something wrong. Along with an pretty strong sense of curiousity, I also have a high degree of skepticism built into my system.
Reading fills some of my needs, so I guess I'll be reading for life - literally and figuratively.
I wish there was rhyme or reason to my reading habits, but there's not. Generally speaking, I find something that interests me and become nearly obsessed with it. Then, once I reach a certain level of knowledge on the subject, I usually lose interest and move on. Sometimes I return, but often I'm left with a sophomore level knowledge of many things.
Some of my latest reads have been:
Our Endangered Values - Jimmy Carter
SUSE Linux 9 Bible - Several authors
The Pleasure Of My Company - Steve Martin
Survivor - Chuck Palahniuk
Mind Of Clear Light (Advice on Living Well and Dying Conciously) - His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Anyway, I guess I don't understand people who don't want to know. They're out there and they are many...these people who would just rather not know. They don't want anything to pierce the bubble which they live in. To them, truth can be a dangerous thing and knowledge is to be feared. All I can say is that I don't get it.
Anyway, back to the book pile for me. I'm in the middle of a book called 'Over the Edge' by Greg Child. It's about the four American climbers that were kidnapped by rebel fighters in Kyrgystan in 2000.
8 comments:
Most of the people I know, other than my family, who are all avid readers, think that reading is some kind of punishment and is only necessary in school.
My husband has always said that he doesn't trust anybody whose home doesn't contain books. People come to our house and ask us if we've actually READ all those books! We GOTTA get new friends.
I wish that I could get back to reading more. It's interesting that you should mention loving to learn new things. Immediately reading your blog came to mind - I always find new and interesting things out from reading your writing, both about you and our world (not to mention hot old-timey actresses, of course :)!
tshsmom - I once heard someone say that they are instantly drawn to the bookshelves when they go to someone's house and that, for better or worse, they usually form a quick opinion of the person based on what they find there. That always made sense to me and I find that I do the same thing. I totally agree with your husband.
shelly - There's always some time for reading. It's usually not ever enough though...
kris - Thanks. That means a lot coming from the ultimate Queen of Witty 80s Pop References. You know you're one of my favorite stops too don't ya... 'Battle of the Bangs' was pure genius, and a good laugh too. Glad you're over the B-day hangover!
Here is a recomendation for you - Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. Don't see the movie - it's not like the book. The book is probably the best thing I've read in two years and one of my favorite books of all time. It totally opened my eyes to see the holocaust in an emotional/personal way that I've never experienced. Also - the book if damn funny. (I know, those are two sentences that just don't seem to follow each other but it's true)
Ignorance is bliss. I had to go on strike after the election because I just couldn't handle it anymore. I can't handle people who voted for what they did, without thinking about it. It really freaks me out sometimes to watch the news and see how people are reacting to things. It's sick.
I have well over $140 in overdue library fees... Damn nazi librarians and their due dates... (grrrrr)
I love Choke. It's one of the strangest books I've ever read and the cleaning tips come in handy, too.
I have several family members who are what you'd describe as "don't wanna know"... They're happy in their bubble, and GOD forbid you try to let a little fresh air in.
I don't understand it either. I'm not sure what's worse - people who don't want to learn because think they already know everything or people who don't want to learn because they just don't care.
Willfull ignorance is frightening to me.
Post a Comment