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Reading a little each week is a form of life support

CannonSaltSenior Contributor09 Oct 2015, 9:37 am AEDT

Reading a little each week is a form of life support

I don't mean to add another 'should' to everyone's lists, but I found an article which reckons that reading books, anything you like, is good for your mental health because it helps connect you with different views of the world at a longer stretch of time than a webpage or magazine.

https://theconversation.com/how-reading-a-little-each-week-is-a-form-of-life-support-37445

So - what are you reading now? What do you think about it?

What was a book that was important to you as a child?

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In response to: Reading a little each week is a form of life support

chookmojoSenior Contributor09 Oct 2015, 10:02 pm AEDT

Re: Reading a little each week is a form of life support

I love reading, it is so much more immersive than TV or movies. I always find magazines frustrating because the format just doesn't delve into things.

I have just finished a book Donna Leon's latest detective novel. Just enjoyable reading, nothing too deep there. Soon I will undertake the quest for a new book. Might pick up the Malazan series again, I am up to book 5 out of 10absolutely massive books.

Books that were important to me as a child... Watership Down, White Fang, Call of the Wild... I would read anything even slightly about animals and read some kind of heavy stuff quite young as a result.

In response to: Re: Reading a little each week is a form of life support

CannonSaltSenior Contributor09 Oct 2015, 10:47 pm AEDT

Re: Reading a little each week is a form of life support

I'm not too familiar with Donna Leon, @chookmojo , what do you like about her book series in particular? A lot of local libraries have access to an online service called 'Novelist' which gives lists of 'if you like Donna Leon's books, you might like to try...' for just about any modern writer in English that you can think of.

At the moment, I'm getting into Mercedes Lackey - a YA author who writes fantasy/scifi with rounded and believable characters who work together to surmount obstacles. I'm really enjoying them, because there's a focus on the characters' journeys - not just a 'Rocky montage' and they've suddenly got these skills they need.

I liked reading with my Dad when I was a kid - he would read something, roar with laughter, and explain the joke to me. I remember liking the Swiss Family Robinson a lot - it seemed like an adventure to me.

In response to: Re: Reading a little each week is a form of life support

chookmojoSenior Contributor10 Oct 2015, 10:38 am AEDT

Re: Reading a little each week is a form of life support

Hey @CannonSalt

Let's see, Donna Leon's detective novels are set in Venice, and very character driven and down to earth. The detective, Brunetti is a very real character, just a cop working under difficult conditions or corruption and obstructive management. The descriptions of Venice, his home life, and the food particularly are so rich and real, you really feel like you are part of it.

At this point she has written 24 books in the series so it is also all very familiar, so reading them is very comfy and cosy. I read a lot so I like when authors are prolific.

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