Reading to Learn vs. Reading for Leisure

[Sandy]

How many of you fellow bloggers read with a puporse to obtain knowledge? How many of you read as a hobbie or simply for fun?

 

I have always shied away from subjects such as investment, politics, self-help or even biographies, because I find them less enticing than ficitons. My reason for reading is solid, I want to enjoy a good story. I'm not so much of a learning reader. It makes me feel like I'm reading textbooks.

 

But what about you? Do you find spent your time reading to learn a set of skills or certain knowledge or do you read just for the fun of it?

[Jillian Raymundo]

I read for pleasure, but every once in a while, a book comes along that does not only inspire me but also teaches me a thing or two.

jillmrayearth.blogspot.com

[Nicole Trist]

My answer is; a bit of both.

I read because I enjoy reading, but through reading those books I enjoy I am also learning about different writing styles which will inevitably help me with my own manuscript.

Cheers!
Nicole Trist @ Books, Books Everywhere
GIVEAWAY!!
"Sensitivity 101 for the Heterosexual Male" by Philip Nork
http://bookywooks.blogspot.com/2010/02/book-giveaway.html

[Sarah]

Definitely both. If I'm doing heavy reading, I need to read some really light fiction before going to the next heavy reading project. Heavy reading doesn't always mean "learning," though. It could just mean an intense subject matter or ponderous writing. I've found that I've learned a tremendous amount in what might be considered light historical fiction.

Sarah at SmallWorld Reads

[Ginger B. Collins]

Fiction is my favorite. I'm a sucker for a beautifully written literary novel with just enough plot to keep it moving forward. I might listen to non-fiction or the heavy stuff it's too hard to plow through, but I'll take a Joyce Carol Oates or Wallace Stegner book on a rainy afternoon.

I always have a paperback of short stories in the car for waiting in line at the carwash, etc., and I like short stories before bed. It's too hard to shut off the light on a good novel!

Ginger B.
http://coppertopcollins.blogspot.com
www.gingerbcollins.com

[Katrina L. Burchett]

I read to be entertained but I always appreciate it when a valuable lesson is included in the story :)

[Kimmie Howard]

I prefer fiction. But a good biography will hold fascinating stories too. I don't care for biographies about living people. If it's an autobiography I don't entirely trust the accuracy. People always want to paint themselves in the best light. But I do like reading about historical figures. And Jack the Ripper.

But right now I'm on a classic kick. I'm reading all the books I should have read in high school. I'm ashamed to say I was in my 40's before I read Dickens. And Mark Twain is patiently waiting in my TBR pile.

[Kathleen Garber]

Both but I mainly read to learn although I realize that we're in the minority. There are WAY more fiction blogs than nonfiction ones (like mine). I read fiction sometimes although usually when I do it's children's or teen's fiction. It's shorter and I'd rather read two 200 page books than one 400 page book.

[Melanie]

I try to balance it out with both, pleasure and learning!

[Sandi Lewis]

I read for both. I would not survive long if I didn't have a chance to read for pleasure. But I also read to gain information on a particular topic.

[Anastasia Fitzgerald-Beaumont]

I honestly do not see any contradiction between the two.

[drey]

I read for fun. If I happen to learn anything from it, that's a bonus!

[Bethany Anderson]

I read for both reasons. Since getting my MA last summer I've definitely been reading for pleasure more than for learning, but sometimes I'm like OMG I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THIS so seek out books for learning. But I like to get pleasure from my learning reading too! And I like to learn from my pleasure reading!