You Are what You Read
I loved reading John Jakes novels, the continuing story of the Civil War, starting with the novel, "The Bastard" and continuing for about 8 books. It followed a family that was fighting on both sides of the war. I was fascinated about the weaving of fact and fantasy, the actual history with the fictitious characters that were brought to life by the author. I always wonder about the true nature of reality anyway, in the way the spirit of the truth can be more "real" than the recitation of facts. I guess what I am trying to say, is that an author can breathe life into the times we read about, and make us feel we are a part of history in ways that some historians may not.
Such is the spirit of the reading of Ken Follett books. I first read "Pillars of the Earth", the life of the building of the cathedral. You feel what living at the time, the individuals that are involved with the politics of the church, and the everyday people's lives are like. The book is long, but definitely worth reading. I then waited to see what would interest me next, and saw that there was another book, "World without End". I did not want to read another TOME, but once started, I could not put it down. It was so interesting and gave so many details of life, architecture, church and law, that learning was a pleasure. It is always in the conflict between characters that details of these aspects become clearer, and more interesting, such as what type bridge should be built, or where the bridge is placed.
It would interest me to find out what people like to read, and how that influences their lives. I guess my daughter is most interested in fiction, and loves vampires and fairies. Weslee only reads sports statistics and biographies about players. What do you read? I know when I need to know something, I read self-help books, but for pleasure, that is a different animal entirely. So could we make a chart and define who you are by what books you choose to read? If you read "Harry Potter" books are you a certain somebody? It is certain that the specific words and language of a series or novel define the group that follow the author. That is what the following of the "Star Trek" television series has done with its vocabulary and characters. Persons of religious persuasions read and study to remain in tune with their desired thought. The words and language reflects the thoughts they wish to manifest.
Let's take this a bit farther, and see if on Facebook there are certain games, or websites, or even blogs where we gather, that unify our interests, and therefore give us a unity of characteristics. Has anyone ever done any studies of that sort? Is anyone able to do this, or does it fluctuate too wildly to pinpoint any specifics? Just wondering...
Such is the spirit of the reading of Ken Follett books. I first read "Pillars of the Earth", the life of the building of the cathedral. You feel what living at the time, the individuals that are involved with the politics of the church, and the everyday people's lives are like. The book is long, but definitely worth reading. I then waited to see what would interest me next, and saw that there was another book, "World without End". I did not want to read another TOME, but once started, I could not put it down. It was so interesting and gave so many details of life, architecture, church and law, that learning was a pleasure. It is always in the conflict between characters that details of these aspects become clearer, and more interesting, such as what type bridge should be built, or where the bridge is placed.
It would interest me to find out what people like to read, and how that influences their lives. I guess my daughter is most interested in fiction, and loves vampires and fairies. Weslee only reads sports statistics and biographies about players. What do you read? I know when I need to know something, I read self-help books, but for pleasure, that is a different animal entirely. So could we make a chart and define who you are by what books you choose to read? If you read "Harry Potter" books are you a certain somebody? It is certain that the specific words and language of a series or novel define the group that follow the author. That is what the following of the "Star Trek" television series has done with its vocabulary and characters. Persons of religious persuasions read and study to remain in tune with their desired thought. The words and language reflects the thoughts they wish to manifest.
Let's take this a bit farther, and see if on Facebook there are certain games, or websites, or even blogs where we gather, that unify our interests, and therefore give us a unity of characteristics. Has anyone ever done any studies of that sort? Is anyone able to do this, or does it fluctuate too wildly to pinpoint any specifics? Just wondering...
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