At what point did you trade in fiction for nonfiction?

[iop890]

Never, I wouldn't call a Dostoevsky novel a 'waste of time' simply because it's fiction.

But maybe you mean fiction meant purely for entertainment.

 

[Fortis]

I wouldn't trade in fiction for anything. Fiction is the blueprint for superb storytelling. You should be underlining awesome phrases and ideas and trying to use them when you tell stories to people: your family, your boss, your friends and random bar sluts.

You can never be too good at telling stories.

I try to read more non-fiction, but I always try to spend a few hours a week reading some good fiction. It keeps me creative and intrigued.

 

[Pride male]

Example of trash non fiction. Dianetics by Hubbard. I couldnt finish the book.

 

[FunkCoup]

Aside from deriving some enjoyment from reading the early Harry Potter books in middle and high school, I was never really into fiction. Aside from building your imagination, I think it's silly. Maybe I don't appreciate it in the way it's meant to be appreciated, but I've always found scientific articles and biographies of great people to be much more stimulating, as you can actually relate these sources to your life in meaningful ways.

I guess what I appreciate most about fiction is the symbolism. It's nice to think on multiple levels.

 

[Beau]

Growing up in public school, I learned to read by reading fiction & the only books I was ever assigned were fiction. The only time I read growing up was when I was assigned a book, obviously fiction. I hated reading and thought it was a waste of time. After attending college for a year and taking a semester off, I began to think about career paths and picked up John Ashcroft's Never Again - 9/11 told from the perspective of the Attorney General. I was fascinated by how exciting and interesting these actual events were and how much I was able to learn from it. I began picking up any nonfiction I could find, starting with biographies & histories, then moving into philosophy and religion and science. I've been a voracious reader ever since. I still dip into fiction every once in a while for the classics, but I make sure I'm always reading some great man's biography and other nonfiction from which to learn.

 

[la bodhisattva]

Hey guys!
So at the age of 23 I've decided that reading fiction is a waste of time and I'm actually surprised I spent so many years of my life reading it. But I'm not sure if I'm ruling out a lot of great titles that may be beneficial for me in my early 20's.
Is there a benefit to reading fiction these days?

Do you watch movies or TV? Or play video games? Most in these mediums are escapes into fictional worlds. If you partake in any of these, why contemplate axing fictional novels? And if you're worried about fiction not being beneficial, simply use more discretion in selecting what you read. For fathers (though I am not), I strongly recommend The Road by Cormac McCarthy. All his novels are exceptional, but this one packs a punch.

 

[Lothario]

Never liked fiction, Always liked true stories, memoirs, Autobiographies and hated made up stories. That was at a young age when I even did not knew what fiction and non fiction was (English is not my first language)

Realized in the last few years that I should read a sprinkle off fiction too but I really have to force myself to go through a novel etc.​

 

[johnbozzz]

Hey guys!
So at the age of 23 I've decided that reading fiction is a waste of time and I'm actually surprised I spent so many years of my life reading it. But I'm not sure if I'm ruling out a lot of great titles that may be beneficial for me in my early 20's.
Is there a benefit to reading fiction these days?

Do you watch movies or TV? Or play video games? Most in these mediums are escapes into fictional worlds. If you partake in any of these, why contemplate axing fictional novels? And if you're worried about fiction not being beneficial, simply use more discretion in selecting what you read. For fathers (though I am not), I strongly recommend The Road by Cormac McCarthy. All his novels are exceptional, but this one packs a punch.

No, I've been visiting the library and checking out non fiction audiobooks. But I think you make a good point - I need to be more selective in what books I read. Been thinking about McCarthy. I'm guessing that Blood Meridian is his magnum opus?

 

[Pride male]

Everything is a criminal thriller nowadays. A serial killer is on the loose. No woman is safe. It is up to detective Rogers to blah blah bla...

I did enjoy Jackie Collins though. RIP.

 

[la bodhisattva]

Blood Meridian was an awesome, though difficult book. Libtard lit professors must admit to its greatness but often preface against the "abhorrent" violence perpetrated by whites against natives and Mexicans (TRIGGER WARNING!!!).

But that's not what makes the book difficult. McCarthy's prose is always unique and B. M. doubles down on his standard polysyndetic coordination with obscure, archaic language with a lot Spanish added in. Know the language or keep Google Translate handy because McCarthy isn't spoon feeding it to you. The story is gripping but the soliloquies of the Judge alone warrant a read.

 

[R_Niko]

Blood Meridian was an awesome, though difficult book. Libtard lit professors must admit to its greatness but often preface against the "abhorrent" violence perpetrated by whites against natives and Mexicans (TRIGGER WARNING!!!).

But that's not what makes the book difficult. McCarthy's prose is always unique and B. M. doubles down on his standard polysyndetic coordination with obscure, archaic language with a lot Spanish added in. Know the language or keep Google Translate handy because McCarthy isn't spoon feeding it to you. The story is gripping but the soliloquies of the Judge alone warrant a read.

I liked this book, but thought it could have been a bit shorter. Like, 250 instead of 350 pages. Same with The Road. He'll spend lots and lots of time describing stuff, and although he's amazing at it, it's still a bit of a slog. Not enough action or character development at times. But yeah you're right about the Judge. That book certainly has its moments.

 

[TheMaleBrain]

A good shortcut is to simply not read any modern fiction, most of which is either pulp trash or the rambling of a diseased liberal mind. The classics are considered classic for a reason. Stick with the classic works of fiction and non-fiction, and then only read the modern non-fiction which has specific, practical appeal to you (i.e. technical subjects, work-related, money-making/business, health, etc...).

Agree.
However - there is good fiction now and then. It is going to be hard to find it.

 

[Irenicus]

Why not both honestly?


I know that many of you experienced failing grades, and mockery of your teachers, because you missed a detail in some stupid fiction book. I did, and I understand you.


Yes, Gorilla Mindset is good, but...what is wrong with Homer's epics (Illiad)? You can learn plenty from Illiad (I made a post somewhere concerning that issue).


Yes, "Enjoy the Decline" is a cool book. Am I supposed to avoid "1984" because it is a fiction (which seems to become a reality)? You can learn plenty from that book... .


As long as you can learn something useful from a book, either fiction, or not fiction, is good for me.



EDIT:

No wonder who started such a thread... .