You know what's fun? Non-fiction reading.
Seriously.
Recently, I've been working on a short story that has required some research on my part and I've been browsing sections of the library that I never had before. And, on a whim, I picked up some non-fiction at random off the shelves and took them home.
It's actually a blast! Right now I'm reading Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America and actually seriously enjoying it. Sure, I'd read bits of Moby Dick and such writers as Jack London and loved the idea of "iron men in wooden boats", but actually reading a history of the whaling industry is interesting. It's amazing how much one seemingly small thing can affect the entirety of an economy.
Also read The Science of Sherlock Holmes (ZOMG! 19th century forensic science!), a book on first-aid care for birds (I don't even have a bird) and have a history of the China's Forbidden City next on the list.
Seriously, such research, when it is not required of me and is simply done for my own entertainment, is fun stuff.
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2 comments:
You make some really good points. non-fiction is incredibly interesting if well written. After all, we all love the History and Discovery channels. But few people take the chance to check out any non-fiction. Must be anxiety left over from formal education days.
I think you're right. While I did indeed have my share of subjects that I didn't like, it was mostly due to the curriculum and teachers. The subject itself, if we get to pick the interesting bits, is awesome.
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