JoJo's Circus

They were probably exaggerating you know :I

I find that other book of Jules Verne also really good travel to the center of the earth.
It's really nice how he is so descriptive of the surroundings really brings it alive. Currently I am trying to read
lord of the rings but I just had not the time to do so.
Unless I start cutting in my sleep time, what actually happens when I start reading a book in bed.

I'm annoyed by the people who say video games are mind numbing and don't teach you anything. Video games are full of puzzles, strategy and ethical decisions. They can teach you a whole lot more than most books will. The bottom line is, I could learn just as much, if not more, playing something like Drake's Fortune, than I would ever learn reading a Stephen King book. I like books and I do read them but I've never been a fan of those who think it makes them more intellectual. Honestly, buy any decent video game (something that doesn't revolve around endlessly shooting things) and you'll see how much you can pick up from them. Anyway, now that's off my chest, I agree. People should read more, including myself.

I have read all of those. Hell I have read most of those several times

Originally Posted by CrackFox

I'm annoyed by the people who say video games are mind numbing and don't teach you anything. Video games are full of puzzles, strategy and ethical decisions. They can teach you a whole lot more than most books will. The bottom line is, I could learn just as much, if not more, playing something like Drake's Fortune, than I would ever learn reading a Stephen King book. I like books and I do read them but I've never been a fan of those who think it makes them more intellectual. Honestly, buy any decent video game (something that doesn't revolve around endlessly shooting things) and you'll see how much you can pick up from them. Anyway, now that's off my chest, I agree. People should read more, including myself.

I never said video games were bad. I just wish more people would read in addition to playing games.

Eh... I read some of them

Reading really does help keep your mind flexible, whenever I start reading again after going a long time without the effect is immediately noticeable. I can understand why a lot of people might not have the time or inclination to read though. I mean, when I have to read dozens upon dozens of research papers a week the last thing on my mind for relaxation is more reading.

Maybe you should start a Bulbagarden book club.

...published in 2012?

This part sort of bugs me, because the implication here is that books published that are made recently don't hold as much thought or value because it was only published recently.

On the subject, I am an avid reader. I also read ASoUE (though over a few years, because I had to wait for books 11-13 to be published.) But reading isn't for everyone, and I can't blame them if reading a long story, especially considering how hard it is find a certain author or way of writing you can appreciate. And I believe movies and other media can be just as good, thought-provoking and creative as books.

I know you're not trying to discourage games and movies and whatever else, but with these days, we have other creative mediums to enjoy than beyond books. If one medium doesn't interest you, you have other, equally valid ways to entertain yourselves.

I agree with Contrary and CrackFox. Not all games and movies are created equal. Just like not all books are created equal. Back for a number of years, I was an avid reader. I love a good story, but my tastes and swings make it hard to find a good story. Even harder in book form. While there are good ones out there, they are rare, especially if you have more, I guess you could say "acquired" tastes, and if it doesn't get you right at the start, or at least tap into your curiosity, then it'll just get tossed aside for something that does. Even series books can be mundane if they are not executed right. I used to be interested in Harry Potter, but I never finished the final book or saw the last two movies because I just got tired of it. Now, I don't really care much for it at all.

However, if something like a video game can hold a great story, yet fits the requirements that you like, then go for it. RPGs tend to be great storytellers. My favorite are from the Breath of Fire series, which have such great, gripping stories woven into the plot it makes it hard to put down. You'd be surprised at how much heart is in a game when it tells a good story. For example, Battle Network of the MegaMan series was awesome because it was the story of a young boy and his twin reborn as data, through thick and thin, fighting to protect those they love and care about. But it also has stuff you'd expect that an 11-12 year old would go through, like attending school, getting detention, playing pranks on friends, that kind of stuff. It's a human level, which is why when you meld the plot and backstory with the usual antics of life, you get a great visual story.

What I like the most about games like that is that you feel like you're part of the story. You can feel the energies, see the emotions, and embody the lines like they were your own. The MegaMan Star Force and Battle Network games really did a good job on that. In some scenes, I started to cry from the raw emotion being displayed, and, while I am somewhat emotional, I don't cry. That proved that the story being displayed right before me was enough to strike my soft spots and make me feel like I was right there as well. To be honest, I've never cried while reading a book, but in some games, seeing the emotion tied into the story made it easier to feel and understand. Sometimes, books fail to really grab the reader, ending up as dust collectors, which is why they are starting to go extinct.

As they say, "You can't judge a book by its cover", so that also applies to games. They are not mind-numbing. There was a study showing that playing fast-paced games (like Sonic the Hedgehog) can actually improve reaction time in real life, like when driving. They teach you how to make split-second decisions when they arise in order to prevent the sometimes deadly end results. While it's far from perfect, that proves that video games are far from mind numbing. Some teach how to solve puzzles more easily, how to identify good options from bad, and also... how to have fun.

While I'm not trying to discourage books, they are only one form of entertainment and story-telling. Nowadays, there are nearly countless forms and mediums to choose from. So if one doesn't tickle your fancy, just go to the next one. Eventually, you'll find the desired form you want.

This shows how lazy people have become. No one wants to think anymore. Books involve thinking. Thinking about the deeper meaning of the work. Even visualizing the characters and scenery.

I find the idea that one needs an external cue, like a book, to initiate deep thought a bit strange. It's as if you're saying you need the thoughts of someone else to initiate thinking.

I'm not going to comment on your blog entry for several reasons, but I looked at your list of what everyone should read and lol, no Shakespeare? King Lear and Hamlet, at the bare minimum, should be on that list. I'm not a serious literature student (in fact, I plan on majoring in mathematics in college), but you should probably reconsider your list. In my opinion, there are quite a few more important novels that should be on that list (The Brothers Karamazov and Don Quixote are ones that I immediately thought of), but I digress. I'm an extremely opinionated individual, and that's probably why I took pains with your list.

Anyways, have you considered that maybe you should find new friends if they don't read that much? Have you asked them what their favorite books are? I feel like you take quite a presumptuous attitude toward your friends when you say "they don't read at all," and I doubt that's entirely true. Most of my friends read a lot, and I read what I can in my spare time. But as for why people don't read much, it's because they're usually pretty busy. The day's a massive time crunch for some of us, and it's extremely hard to fit some time in for leisure reading. If your friends aren't that busy, that's another thing, though. But it's their time, I guess.

giant picture book published in 2012?

Also, this seems like you're implying that it's less important because it was published in 2012. Good books were written after the nineteenth century, you know (I could enumerate about twenty off of the top of my head, but it's 4:30 and I feel like going back to sleep). While I absolutely agree with you that people should definitely read more (seriously, reading a lot helps you write better), I think your attitude in communicating this sentiment came across as negative and judgmental. And, of course, I'm probably coming across in the same way. If I am, I apologize.

(and I ended up commenting on it anyways)

Originally Posted by Scheisskopf

I'm not going to comment on your blog entry for several reasons, but I looked at your list of what everyone should read and lol, no Shakespeare? King Lear and Hamlet, at the bare minimum, should be on that list.

But weren't those written as plays, not books?

Blah blah blah blah blah (The Brothers Karamazov blah blah)

I really do recommend this book, though. It's really long and it takes a while to get yourself into it, but was one the best books I ever read. If you enjoy religion, philosophy and human nature, I suggest you check it out.

@Scheisskopf; I take issue with almost everything you say.
1) I did not include Shakespeare because he wrote plays. I'm discussing novels.
2) Why in hell would I replace my friends simply because we don't share one interest? That's more presumptuous than my attitude towards them for not reading much.
3) Dude, I never said books published after the nineteenth century were bad. I just figured that classics are well known and universally acclaimed, compared to more modern books where opinion is still divided. Plus, who doesn't love a good classic?
4) Why did you comment on my blog if you were not going to? You just wanted to give me a literature lesson, I see.