"Why do we need books anyway?"

[gelbes_gilatier]

I was asked this today (fairly sure that there was at least some seriousness to the question) and it felt so ludicrous and kind of hurtful, as well to hear it in such a dismissive tone (I do have a minor degree in literature, after all) that I could only sputter and never actually give a satisfying (satisfying for me, anyway) answer to the question

Comments

[diek09]

I very much coincide with the reasons you give here. I think that a book can help you when there's no one else out there.

I find it reasonable to read because it also helps to stimulate your brain a little bit, I mean, it's like everything now is so visual we really become lazy, and stop imagining and exercising that wonderful skill we have.

I never asked myself the question, but I think that pretty much summarizes why I need books :)

[gelbes_gilatier]

I think that a book can help you when there's no one else out there.

Exactly! That is very well said and I'd agree 100%!

I mean, it's like everything now is so visual we really become lazy, and stop imagining and exercising that wonderful skill we have

Yes! I kept wondering about why we'd need books if we have movies (since that seems to be the next logical argument, "Why do we need books for magic, we have movies.") and I always came back to books giving me a way to make my own personal movie. And I loved it :D

[diek09]

I know! I mean, I like watching the movies of certain books, but books are so much better! Always! I don't see myself without a book in my hand :)

We should never stop reading.

[anneruane]

Because they're far better (and cheaper) than movies and TV, and last a whole lot longer. Because they make me think. Because they take me places I could never go in real life. Because they make me understand the point of view of someone other than me. Because they lower my blood pressure. Because I don't know how to live without them. :o)

And from the perspective of a mom with a 6-year-old, because a good one gets kids so excited about a story that they actually work at learning to read, and without reading, you can't really do much of anything in this world any more. Because they're good at calming kids down before bed.

[gelbes_gilatier]

Because they make me understand the point of view of someone other than me.

I love this. That's just so true. Books make my world bigger by giving me more than only my point of view. They make me go "Huh, i never saw it like that." and I'm so grateful for every time that happens. Very well said!

[diek09]

I really agree specially with the last you said. As a teacher, I know that reading can help out developing a lot of wonderfull skills.

[gelbes_gilatier]

ich danke für diesen beitrag. ganz ehrlich, ich hätte es nicht besser formulieren können.

Aw, danke! Ich hab mir wirklich Gedanken gemacht und mich gefragt "Warum brauche ich das eigentlich?" und war so erschrocken, als mir auf Anhieb nichts einfiel. Aber wenigstens kam dann noch was dabei raus...

aber wer immer behauptet, wir brauchen keine bücher, ist einer von diesen bedauernswerten menschen, die nie lesen und die magie nie erfahren haben.

Ja! Ich wollte ja dann auch mit "Magie!" antworten, befürchtete aber, dass das außer mir niemand in der Karre verstehen würde :S

btw: was machst du denn in kiel?? o__ODienstlich ;) Stand meines Arbeitgebers beim Open Ship im Tirpitzhafen, heute und morgen. Und danach Pachtü (es sei denn, ich hole mir wie heute einen fetten Sonnenbrand im Gesicht und fühle mich nach mehreren Kilometern zur Wohnung meiner Schwester latschen so bäh, dass mich keine zehn Pferde mehr aus der Wohnung kriegen würden...). Morgen binsch noch den ganzen Tag hier, und ich lade herzlich alle ein, die mich am Stand

[gelbes_gilatier]

OMG Antwort-Post of DOOM ♥ Hauste einfach mal so einen Aufsatz darüber, warum wir Bücher brauchen raus. Du bist die Beste, wie immer :D

[ancient_leah]

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. A man who never reads lives only one."

That's Jojen Reed in GRRM's "A Dance with Dragons". For me, that's the most important reason why we need books: Because while reading, I can be someone else entirely and experience things I normally never would. I can live another life... broaden my horizon, so to speak.

But did the person who said that really ask why we need BOOKS? Or did he/she question those old-fashioned things made of paper in our brave new digital world? I guess some people could actually do without books if they only had their Kindle... not that I am one of them. I need to turn pages and feel them between my fingers. Sounds crazy, I know :D

[gelbes_gilatier]

"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. A man who never reads lives only one."

♥

But did the person who said that really ask why we need BOOKS?

Uh-huh, yep, they did. If it had been just the old e-books vs. paper books argument, I'd have totally had a response (about the same as yours). But this was questioning the existence of the concept of books in their entirety. Which I just find myself being unable to grasp. The questioning, I mean, not the concept of books ;)