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| Logo by Amber @shelfnotes.com |
Beyond the Borders
Many authors and writers express the transformative power of books. How they allow us to experience worlds and points of view we might not otherwise know. When I do write my own works of fiction or even journal entries, I strive to do the same, to paint pictures of the world as I see it so it may become a shared experience with the reader. Harry Potter opened me up to more than just magic, but also to England, life as an orphan, and having great expectations thurst upon you. Thirteen Reasons Why let me look at the terrible world of suicide through two lenses: those who choose it, and those left behind. Memoirs are particularly fascinating to me because the truth can often be stranger than fiction, like in On the Edge, Richard Hammond's memoir about surviving a horrific car accident as well as a traumatic brain injury. To me, all of these play into the concerns about diversity in books and why it is so necessary. I believe that I only have this one life, that I will only see things through these eyes, but books provide me a way of being in two places, in two minds at once. There is my world, and the world of the writer, fictious or real. So break out of your comfort zone. Shake up your reading tendencies. I've been making a more conscious effort lately to read widely, reading books from a wider range of genres and whose writers or protagonists are different from me. So yeah. Diversity. It's a good time and we need a heck of a lot more of it in books. :)
What you said about memoirs really resonated with me. I love reading them for the exact reason you stated, "truth can often be stranger than fiction". Whenever I can read about life from a different point of view, fiction or non-fiction, I appreciate it. Every little bit helps me grow as a person. Such a great post!
ReplyDeleteKristen @ Pretty Little Pages
Yay for memoirs! I'm fascinated by them, and I feel that they are vastly under-read. Thanks so much for commenting!
DeleteI loved your post. This was beautifully written and spot-on: "I believe that I only have this one life, that I will only see things through these eyes, but books provide me a way of being in two places, in two minds at once." Couldn't have said it better!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words and for commenting!
DeleteI will read anything. I don't stick to one genre or author. So I have discovered some amazing books. Maus is a fantastic Graphic Novel. The Color Purple is stunning literature. The Color of Water is a great memoir. I highly recommend those. Thanks for sharing some of your favorites.
ReplyDeleteI've read Maus as well as The Color Purple, and I need to be better at reading more widely and diversely again. Thank you so much for commenting!
DeleteYes! Books provide us the opportunity to "live" many lives. Great thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHolly @ Words Fueled by Love
Books just let us do, as my students would put it, "all of the things" haha Thank you for commenting!
DeleteI love memoirs for the reasons you mention above. Life can be stranger than fiction and its fascinating to me to read about how others handle what life throws at them. It gives me both compassion for others and strength in my own life.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I love that they allow us to share the human experience and keep records of the lives we may not otherwise know about. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteGreat post! Love this sentence: "I believe that I only have this one life, that I will only see things through these eyes, but books provide me a way of being in two places, in two minds at once."
ReplyDeleteI still haven't read any of the Harry Potter series. I hope to tackle it this summer.
Haven't read Harry Potter? Do it! I'll admit, the first one is a bit slow to get into, but it is well worth it. Thanks for commenting!
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