Week 14- Classical Pleasure

Reading is something I have enjoyed my whole life! I have enjoyed everything from picture books to classics. When I was younger I only enjoyed reading non-fiction books. I loved a good mystery such as Nancy Drew or the Mary-Kate and Ashley mystery books. Yes, I have always had a fond spot in my heart for mystery books! But as I began high school and took honors and AP English classes, I suddenly found myself immersed in literally thousands of pages of classic books. At first I loathed it, wishing that I could read whatever I wanted. But as my repertoire of classic books expanded over the years I realized that I actually enjoyed reading the classics. Granted some of them were boring and hard to read, but many like any Jane Austen book or one of the Bronte sisters’ books and of course Bram Stoker’s Dracula, were quite enjoyable to me. Now-a-days I find myself choosing to read a classic book. It is amazing how your tastes can change over the years! Who would imagine that I would go from Mary-Kate and Ashley adventure books to Tess of the D’Urbervilles?
Since my years in advanced English classes and having to read so much for a grade, I have truly realized the importance of reading for pure pleasure. When you must read for a grade it is easy to just skim so that you can get through the amount of pages you need for the grade. Pleasure reading, on the other hand, allows you to immerse yourself in the story and understand what is going on. This is a wonderful opportunity to relax the mind and let it wander into the depths of your imagination. Many a time I have needed the sweet escape that a book offers. I find it so relaxing to read a book and become the character as you read. This kind of reading helps you to relax and escape from the everyday stress you are subjected to.
It is much the same in my writing. Sometimes my academic writing is part of that everyday stress. But I find that if I allow myself to put my own personality and imagination into the writing that it is enjoyable to me. My favorite type of writing is the writing that I do simply for pleasure. I know, writing for pleasure seems a preposterous idea, but I find that if I let my imagination go on paper, it can be just as relaxing as reading someone else’s words. Maybe one day I will be able to use my enjoyment for boos and imaginative writing and create my own book!