reading great literature can be exhausting which is why sometimes it’s nice to take a brain break and tackle something a little less taxing. a posting on the Guardian’s Books Blog explores the usefulness of reading a book that is truly hideous, one in which the author attempted to write the next great novel, but the result is an overwritten mess. a bad book is a tool for appreciating good literature. that said, i never finish a book that i don’t like even if it’s good for me or serves a purpose – do you?
(via Smart Bitches)
posting by marin
3 responses so far ↓
Kathy Smargiassi // November 25, 2008 at 9:42 am
I do like to mix up the books that stretch my brain w/ books that are fluff, but if I truly don’t like a book, if it is just badly written, why waste my time?
myounker // November 25, 2008 at 11:04 am
i did appreciate that the author made a distinction between badly written literature and mainstream fiction.
Jim McCluskey // November 25, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I like to read fiction for escapism, more than a challenge. I suspect it’s simple laziness, more than anything else. If I want to stretch my brain I’ll read nonfiction, or blogs. Lately I’ve been feeling like I’ve been reading more than ever but, if you asked what books I’ve been reading the list would look pretty pathetic.