Candy tastes good, right? Especially — at least to me — some sort of peanut butter, chocolate, perhaps caramel combination. It’s delicious, truly, but a diet consisting solely of candy wouldn’t be very satisfying in the long term.
For me, variety is good — both food wise and in my literary pursuits. I love reading fiction that makes me think, and feel, and cry. I return to deeply-drawn characters again and again in my mind. I also am affected by reading people’s true stories in memoir or biography form, learning from both their successes and failures. Interesting nonfiction presents information in a way that rewards my time with knowledge. Books help strengthen my faith or my knowledge of the things of God.
But sometimes I just want to be entertained. I want to read a page-turning suspense novel or a mindless romance. They are often formulaic and won’t likely stick with me for longer than the handful of hours that it might take me to finish it. But they are enjoyable. Like candy, they sometimes leave me craving more. Like candy, they are easy and pleasant to digest.
We were staying at my in-laws’ house at Christmas. They are both readers, and so there are newspapers and magazines, paperbacks, and library books all over the house. I noticed a Dean Koontz title in a stack of my father-in-law’s books. It looked interesting, and I used to enjoy his books, so I picked it up. Pretty soon I was immersed in The Good Guy.
It was suspenseful, interesting, and entertaining — perfect for sitting in the living room with the family and reading a chapter here or there.
My father-in-law’s mother is also a big reader, and usually gives books at Christmas. This year she gave me a Nicholas Sparks book, Safe Haven. I have read a few of his novels, but it’s been a while. I was actually pleasantly surprised by this one, because like Koontz’s novel, it had some danger and suspense and was a bit of a thriller, instead of 100% romance.
There was a time in my life that these types of books made up the vast majority of my reading diet. They became routine and expected. Can you eat too much candy? Maybe. All I know is that after not having read anything like these two in a while, I genuinely enjoyed them.
What’s more, just like the sweet and delicious chocolately goodness, they left me craving more.
Jennifer Donovan blogs at Snapshot about life in Houston in her house full of bookworms.
I always say that too–certain books are like a bag of m’n’m’s, or doritoes! Lots of fun, esp if you’re a bit sick, but not good for a balanced diet 🙂 I haven’t read either of those, but they both look like good “junk food” books.
It was just nice to be reminded that reading is entertainment, and there’s a place for just pure easy fun reads.
Such a great analogy, Jennifer. I can definitely tell when I’ve been on a sugar binge and need some protein in my reading diet!
Love the protein analogy!
Absolutely. My brain candy is Agatha Christie. Love her to pieces, but only occasionally now.
I find especially with mysteries or with books by the same author, they do seem way too forumulaic if I read too many in a row.
I truly adore this analogy. Yes, candy is definitely good, and I can so relate to the description you give here of your reading menu! 🙂