"Poetry, fiction as novels or short stories - these are autonomous as created by their authors. They should stand on their own, like pieces of furniture that should be judged as to their usefulness, elegance."
● F. Sinoli Jose
Introduction
My earliest memory of me as a reader was when I was 5. It started from borrowing books from my classmates because my mom liked me reading but wouldn't buy anything that isn't religious for me to read. My love for novels started from reading Naniboy books such as Daddy please, Mummy Why, Amina the pampered child, only to mention a few. I had to read these books as fast as possible because there was a long queue waiting for me to be done so they could also read it. Although this groomed me to be a fast reader, it still posed as an inconvenience so I had to force my mom into taking me to the bookshop atleast once a month to get my own books.
Unfortunately, there was a point in my life I almost quit reading fiction. I was in senior secondary school and there was already pressure around having a purpose in life and making money, also couple with the fact that i was already a chess star at school. With the vim to stand out as a successful person, I resorted to motivational speakers - people who only preach hardwork, discipline and knowledge. As a result of this, I started reading books like Rich Dad Poor Dad, 48 Laws of Power, How to win friends and influence people, amongst a host of others.
Did I learn from these books? Of course. But they bore me the hell out. I missed my fictional world and just like an infant finds his way to his mother's breast, I found my way back to my first original love.
For me, books serve as an escape from reality. I love being trapped in a fictional world with its characters. On certain bad days when my world was in shambles and I was miserable, it was books that saved me. When anxiety and depression seeps in, the stories of fictional people brings me out of that dark web. All I have to do is search for lighthearted books with happy endings to assure me that I can still enjoy that. In this situation, I root for cheesy romantic books. With all the noise in the world right now, novels have proven to be my best bet to shut them out. Sometimes all you need is to escape from your world to someone else's.
You can't Learn From Fictional Books?
Contrary to popular belief that it's impossible to learn from fictional books, a large portion of the knowledge I have is from these books. I've learnt about world problems, human dilemnas, mental health issues and history. It is through books like A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, I learnt about the Taliban rule in Afghanistan and the many wars they have suffered. Same goes for Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Her storytelling made me get an insight into the Nigerian civil war in 1967 . It is books like this that showed me how detrimental wars can be to a nation. Reading historical novels have taught me more than any teacher has in a classroom. I would also love to add that through books I have travelled to places I have never been. I have eaten unfamiliar foods, met unknown people and perceived alien smells. This is what reading a story with vivid description does to you, makes you experience things you have never felt.
In addition, books have helped me become more empathetic. Even though the stories are fictional, a large part of its storyline are coined from reality; stories of actual people and real life experiences. Fictional characters experience several things and when reading, I put myself in their shoes and try to understand their judgements and decisions. As a result of this, I'm never quick to scream it can never be me when something happens to somebody. For example, I read a book some months ago, It ends with us by Colleen Hoover and its central theme is domestic abuse. Before then, I was an advocate against it but reading that book was an eye opener to the realities of the women experiencing it. From the outside world, it is easy to tell these women to leave the marriage.
Reading this book gave me an insight into how the women in abusive relationships/marriages feel. Ever since,
I have gone from blaming the women who are the victims to pointing fingers to the real culprits, the abusers.
As a writer, it is not queer for me to enjoy reading books, especially fictional ones. Fictional writers have the best writing technique and vocabulary, they are hands down the best. Reading has improved my writing and widened my vocabulary. I can boast of that. I learn so many new words and phrases the more I read and truly that is a blessing.
In Conclusion...
Reading novels have kept me company so many times. When I feel lonely, I just pick up a book. That way, I'm never alone. It also serves as one of my few sources of entertainment. I read books from different genres so I am always having a blast. I read for pleasure, oh yes. It is my favourite thing to do. Buying books makes me happy despite the fact that my bank account hates it. A boy gotta do anything to keep him happy you know. I love talking about books that is why I write reviews on here.
Lest I forget to add, it feeds my imagination. Because I read a lot, I have enough resources that enables me create fake scenarios that I fall asleep to. I know I am not alone. Everybody is guilty of this, thinking about things that would probably never happen but it just feels so good.
Study shows that readers have a low chance of suffering memory decline at an old age. So I'm eating good. To wrap this post up, why do you enjoy reading fictional books and why is it a preference?
I am @samostically,I love to talk and write about chess because i benefited alot from playing chess. sometimes i share my thoughts on life in general and i write about my love for hive!
I love to engage with others and i love communication.I believe life is all about staying happy and maintaining peace.
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