Reading: A hobby for you, or something else?

[BlueIris]

Poll question: Reading: A hobby for you, or something else?

Lately, I've noticed a lot of people characterizing their reading time as part of a hobby. Several years ago, I realized that I had to elevate reading to a high priority in life in order to force myself to do it, so I would consider it more than just a hobby.

Then again, it's not like it's part of a professional obligation for me, (I'm not a critic, a reader at a publishing house, or someone who reads for academic credit or as an academic) so maybe if should fall into the 'hobby' category.

How would you classify reading as a part of your life?

[murielm99]

1. A necessity?

Is that an exaggeration? I suppose I do not need to read, like I need air, food and water.

But I do have to stay informed, and keep my mind active and alert. I think it is like exercising physically. My mind could go stale and flabby if I did not use it.

I enjoy news, history, fiction and non-fiction. If the fiction is recreational reading, well okay. I still manage to learn something every time I read, even if that is not the main purpose of my fiction reading.

[Democracyinkind]

2. A passion. A luxury. A responsibility. An obsession.

Also, something i do becaus i'm socially awkward and a lone geek.

Or, as Franz Kafka said better than anyone else " An axe for the frozen sea within me " .

[Arkansas Granny]

3. I suppose passion would describe my feelings best.

I can't remember a time when I didn't know how to read. When I started grade school I was so enthusiastic about reading that I taught my younger sister everything I had learned that day. She started first grade at a better than 3rd grade reading level. My whole family read books and magazines and when we had questions, we were encouraged to "look it up".

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. My family was much the same. We were the only people I knew

who owned several dictionaries and a full set of encyclopedias (my Dad sold World Book door to door in the summer of '59 and got a set for us). We would read them just for fun. I thought it was cool how Webster's and the Oxford Abridged would have different definitions for the same words. At third grade I was memorizing my 6th grade sister's spelling lists. And one of my favorite family photos was 5 year old me reading to my two year old sister.

Both my parents were teachers, and my oldest sister also became a teacher; she and I both write fiction. I don't read as much now as I once did; my eyes can't take the strain anymore for sustained bouts. I cannot, however, imagine my life without reading.

[Arkansas Granny]

9. We had a genuine set of Funk and Wagnall's Encyclopedia.

It was not hermetically sealed on their front porch, however.

[fadedrose]

4. Relaxarion and/or Escape

Depending on the what kind of day it's been.....

[fadedrose]

13. I'm only passionate about chocolate . . .

[asjr]

5. My parents and I moved around so

often when I was a child my best friend was a book. Andrew Liang fairy tale books, Grimm, and Nancy Drew was ever present at my side. Tom Sawyer, Huck, etc. Growing up in Philadelphia there was always a library within walking distance.

[ZombieHorde]

6. Reading used to be a passion for me, but since I have been attending college,

it has been more of a hobby.

[MineralMan]

8. A, B, and D.

Reading is a major part of my life, for all three reasons, and the lines cross all the time. I've changed careers several times by starting businesses in new areas. Each time, the area has been one I was already interested. Each time, I put myself through the equivalent of a Master's program by reading. It was a pleasure, a passion, and a necessity. I have averaged reading a book a day since I was 6 years old.

Most recently, I reread the Harry Potter series, just for fun, one book after another. It was a great way to explore that world.

[pitohui]

10. it is an addiction

i have to read every day but since i do not watch tv (you can't watch tv and read every day) i don't get any less done than other people do

i was fortunate enough for many years to work as a writer but even if i had never sold a word i would have continued to read, i don't actually read much of the kind of things i wrote (nonfiction service articles, now obsoleted by the internet) -- i am a fanatic reader of fiction, it's a nonthreatening way to live many lives and get into many people's heads without being a real life snoop into real person's lives

with the coming of the internet i no longer read a book every day because i also read/write on the internet but i still read at least part of a book or magazine (usually a book) every day

[Odin2005]

11. Passion. Like Jefferson, I could not live without books.

[elocs]

12. This is the "Books: Fiction" forum, but I don't read books anymore.

I read way too much while I am online and I find that if I read an actual, physical book I will struggle to stay awake after 10 minutes. My eyes only have so much reading in them and there is no room for books.

[SheilaT]

14. I went for obsession, although it's also a passion and

an addiction and an absolute necessity.

This evening at work I was reading a book, and someone else came along and said something about not having the time to read much anymore. How unfortunate! I'll read rather than cleaning house. I read while I eat. Any time, all the time.

Some years back, at a time when I didn't have a TV, a co-worker kept on being surprised that I was up on what was happening in the world, as he couldn't imagine how you could know what was going on unless you watched TV.

Of course, today I also don't have a TV, but I have the internet, which is totally amazing.

[Little Star]

15. I put down hobby but....

sometimes it becomes a passion. I seem to read in spurts and for a while now I've only been picking up a book for a couple of pages at a time. Other times I'll read a couple of books a week and occasionally I'll read a book a day for a couple of weeks.

I like it when I get the urge to read more. I have a lot of other things that distract me (like genealogy, DU, Husband, Grandchildren & housework).

Since I had a stroke I do everything in slow motion, so those daily life things take a lot longer to do. I am blessed though, I can still do most of them.

[fadedrose]

16. Dear one, when did you have a stroke?

Have you mentioned this before and I just forgot or what?

[Little Star]

17. Hi Rose, ...

I had the stroke in December of 2008. It was strange because my left foot fell asleep (or at least that's what I thought). I ignored it for a whole day and night and the next morning my husband and daughter dragged me kicking and screaming to the emergency room. My cholesterol was out of control. I was about 30lbs overweight too.

It was kinda weird because for all that time I thought my foot was just asleep but once they admitted me into the hospital my whole left side went numb, very heavy and hard to control.

With therapy, medication and diet changes I was able to overcome some of the damage. Like I say, I consider myself one of the lucky ones.

I just started the Weight Watchers diet, I still need to lose more weight and due to my disability I can't exercise very good. We also just bought a treadmill that was put together today & set it up in the garage. I tried it out and seem to be able to walk slowly on it if I hold on.

Even though I haven't been reading to much I want you to know that I'm still reading "Charlie Moon" and I really like the series. It warms my heart, Doss makes them so down to earth. I'm going to Myrtle Beach, SC in November. We rented a snowbird condo for the month. They have great rates off season for seniors. I can guarantee I'll have read the whole series before I get back. I always read a lot on vacation because there aren't many chores to do!

[fadedrose]

19. Life is hard and gets harder, doesn't it?

Good luck with Weight Watchers...my cholesterol was 294 about 2 years ago, and doctor prescribed some generic drug, forget name - and Metamucil, and a couple of weeks ago it got down to 204.....Try it..- I ordered Psyllium capsules from Puritan Drugs and it's supposed to be good too - Mayo site likes psyllium...

Flax seed oil/capsule is supposed to be good for losing weight too.

Make sure you have good shoes on the tread - you don't want to put too much pressure on your feet and knees..

Nothing is easy. A couple of times a week I cook for family coming over and I always lose weight from being on my feet and it seems that there's not much left for me to eat and somebody always calls for leftovers to take home..They offer to help clean up but I have a dishwasher and want peace and quiet so I tell them to just go, period. ;)

Families are stressful. Kids are trouble, but grownup kids are more trouble.

About Moon, the 3rd and 4th are not the best of the series. They get much better as they go on. I am so sorry I nagged you into reading them and feel that it caused you stress worrying not to hurt my feelings. Couldn't happen. Everybody has different taste and I don't like a lot of the most highly recommended books in DU. Stay cheerful.

[Enthusiast]

18. Reading is almost my only activity.

From the time I wake up until I sleep -I read. I have physical problems that prevent me from engaging in other activities. I'm still trying, however.

[Sequoia]

20. I find I like to read certain books according to the seasons.

In the fall I like to read about the Revolutionary War (USA) and Russian poets/novels/etc. from October thru December. Sometimes I accidently read a book which is taking place during the time I am actually reading it. But in any case, I am reading all the time and have stacks from the library always.

[BookSavoury]

21. A necessity

I could not imagine life without books.