Christian Goodreaders discussion

Hello All!
I know everyone has a different answer to this question but I am rather curious: why do you read a specific book? Is it to entertain, to motivate or inspire, to acquire knowledge, to learn how to do something, to pass time, or something else altogether? When I read a book, I usually look for something that has a pragmatic purpose. For example, I might read a book that would help me become a better person or improve at my job.
Thank you for any and all replies!
In Christ,
John

When I read a book for our local book club, I don't get to choose what it is. But even then, I would like to learn something from the book, even if it's just a new perspective on something that I hadn't considered.
Being transported into a different world is cool, but if the main characters are all morally screwed up or make bad decisions all the time, I get upset.

When I choose a book to read, I always want to learn something or get inspired. Especially if it's fiction, I may not know what I'm going to learn, but I don't mind that.

I mostly read fiction to be entertained or to escape. I don't like reading fiction that is too realistic, or has immoral or inept main characters. When it comes to non fiction I read to find encouragement or inspiration or to learn. Most of my non fiction reads are by Christians.

To be honest, I just read anything that sounds good to me, no matter the age group or genre, as long as there is not an obvious conflict with my morals (though of course many books do not say on them everything that might be against my morals, so I do end up reading books I would not have if I had known all of the content before hand.)

I read for a few reasons - To be entertained, to hear points of view I would not in my day to day life, to be enlightened, and to feed my soul.

I love those that give me an aha! moment or paradigm shift. Fiction or Non.

Thank you all for your input - I really appreciate it! Happy New Year!

My main focus in reading is to learn something new, but there are times when I read to change my mood or my current thinking. I call this 'shift-change' thinking, others may call it thinking outside the box. I never want to be comfortable for too long.

I mostly read to learn something new. I'm a big believer in learning. One of my life quotes goes like this, "life is a beta test for eternity."

Hope wrote: "I mostly read to learn something new. I'm a big believer in learning. One of my life quotes goes like this, "life is a beta test for eternity.""

Thanks for your input!

Sure thing!

It depends on the specific book/genre. Most of the time, I read fiction. My purpose is either to entertain myself or to get ideas of what to do/not do in my own writing. When I read nonfiction, it's usually because I have to for school, or because it's a subject I'm interested in.

I read Christian novels because they makes me happy. Reading any other genre makes me feel uncomfortable because you never know what you are going to encounter. By reading books by authors who share my faith, I know I will never be placed into a situation that I prefer not to be in.

I read because I love to escape into different worlds. I'm not much of a tv person since nowadays there's not a lot of good content, but there is such a vast array of books out there that have way better plot lines than any tv show or movie. Plus reading can be inspirational and can really get me thinking about a lot of things

I agree with you completely, words that are well written can change the world.

I read the Bible - over and over again, even in different languages. I think you cannot know the Bible "too well"; there's always something new to discover.

Very true, Samantha

I read the Bible to rid anger from my current emotions. Whenever i feel hurtful emotions, caused by pain, bubbling inside me i read the Bible to relax. It has a relaxing feel to it, like God himself is actually instructing me right then. I read anxiety books to not get rid of my fears but to find ways to better deal with them. And i read simple 'Christian advice books' to like 'talk' to a friend. Because certain books have how i feel in their going throughs.

They all sound like good reasons, Sarah

Janelle wrote: "They all sound like good reasons, Sarah"

Thank you.

most often I read christian fiction. I find them inspiring and interesting. reading is my way of reducing stress. especially after a bad. Christian fiction does just that. it relaxes me but also when I am finished I feel calm and a sense of happiness. one of my favorite authors Karen Kingsbury. I think I have read every single one of her books 🤓

My priority reading is the one or two hours early in the morning of the Bible. Then my husband wakes up we pray, praise and worship then I'm off to my home office with two computers, and two desks and chairs and a room full of books. I usually spend more time writing on my own books than reading other books. When I do read I tend to stay with authors I know are sound in their teaching, and I greatly admire some of the older authors, such as A.W. Pink; Smith Wigglesworth, Andrew Murray. I would appreciate your reading my article on my blog. "Blessed are the Peacemakers" I would appreciate your feedback on this article. I hope you pray for peace and pass along this blog post, if you feel it will help others. Grace and peace to all who want to make life better for others.
Your friend in service to Jesus Christ,
Joan Jessalyn Cox

I mainly read the Bible and non-fiction books to help me spiritually and feed my soul. I also read the same scriptures repeatedly to become what God commands, encourage myself and remind of God’s promises to me as a believer. Other times, I read fictional short stories when I just want to relax and be entertained.

I like the more imaginative genres. I love unique story-words and clever plot-twists. Images and atmosphere can make or break a book, for me.
Honestly, I'm hard to please when it comes to fiction, but I'll try a variety of things.

There's no solitary motivation, IMHO, for what I read. I usually have several books going at once. There's usually something devotional, something theological, probably something related to my work, and maybe a work of fiction. The fiction usually rotates between a classic work of literature, and adventure/thriller, sometimes sci-fi, and rarely fantasy. My current fiction is read is about zombies in ancient Ireland (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...). Interesting to see how the author represents both Christian and pagan Celts. All that to say, I read to learn, with a little a little desire for entertainment thrown in.

I have been in love with the artistry behind long-form prose my whole life, so for me, it's partially for the story and partially for the craft itself.

Half of the books I read for entertainment and the rest to learn something about the world, myself, life, and different viewpoints of people. I read the Bible to learn what God what's for me and to understand that I'm loved by Him.

I read for all of the reasons you listed: to entertain, to motivate, to inspire, to acquire knowledge, to learn how to do something, to become a better person, and to improve at my job. I also read to connect with others, especially my children and bible study groups. The only one you listed that I probably don't do is reading to pass the time. I love reading and have since I was a little girl. I still have the first book I ever read all by myself.

If it is a novel, I'm reading it for entertainment and to hopefully encounter words and things I don't know. And, nonfiction, biography, history, I'm reading for insight and perspectives.

Esther wrote: "Half of the books I read for entertainment and the rest to learn something about the world, myself, life, and different viewpoints of people. I read the Bible to learn what God what's for me and to..."

Likewise

John wrote: "Hello All!
I know everyone has a different answer to this question but I am rather curious: why do you read a specific book? Is it to entertain, to motivate or inspire, to acquire knowledge, to le..."

I read for different reasons. I read time travel books because they are a wonderful escape and a chance to indulge the question of, if you could travel anywhere in time, where would you go? I've been able to go to many periods in history through the works of Jodi Taylor and others. My favorite book ever is The Door Into Summer by Robert Heinlein. It has a future time travel bent. Most of my time travel choices have me visiting the past instead of the future.

My reasons for reading regular historical fiction are similar. I get to visit a past time period, learn what it was like, and learn something about history as well. I also do member reviews for The Historical Novel Society's Historical Novels Review Magazine, and those are assigned to me.

Alternate History is fascinating for one reason: I have always had the "What if Lincoln had lived" question in my head, so I like to see many authors "what if" questions when it comes to alternate history.

I enjoy reading Christian fiction from authors with shared interests and values. I especially enjoy Lynn Austin, because she writes historical Christian fiction.

I like cozy mysteries just for fun! And I especially enjoy the ones centered around things I like to do, such as cooking.