I'm a reader. I read serious stuff, and I read junk stuff, and I read anything in between too. Although many people like to read, not everyone *loves* to read. I honestly wouldn't know what to do with myself if I someday woke up unable to read. This would be horrible!
Every once in a while, someone will say something to the note of, "Yeah, reading is a great escape mechanism, I guess that's just how you deal with things." I never say anything, but I get really offended by this. It implies that I read so much because I have a need to avoid life.
In fact, I think reading helps me to understand life better. I learn so much from books that I couldn't learn in real life.
• In defense of self-help books, sometimes it's good to learn why other people act the way they do, or why and how you react to what other people do.
• In defense of sci-fi/fantasy books, it's good to read stories of heroic feats of average people.
• In defense of biographies it's good to understand and relate to people far different from you.
• In defense of romance, it's good to read stories where love and family take the upper stage.
• In defense of mysteries, it's good to read things that push your mind to inquire about the world, and to learn and use your problem-solving skills.
• In defense of horror, it's good to understand the good and the bad of human nature, and when it is possible to triumph, and when it isn't.
• In defense of humor, it's good practice to learn to laugh at yourself and the crazy situations life can put you in!
I could go on and on, but I imagine you see my point. Reading to escape is almost impossible with all that we actually learn from reading. I don't know that I could be the person I am today without having read so much that helped me see things from every perspective.
So, I defend your right to read, and not have to justify it to anyone. Whether your own intention is escapism or not... the learning that you will find always seems to be so far beyond what we could learn in ourselves without having learned about it first.
All best,
Rose
