Lush Library discussion

how do you imagine it in your head? or do you not imagine it?
I'm interested after a discussion in another thread. When I'm reading I picture the characters and events in my head almost like i'm watching a film. I think this is why I'm often disappointed by film adaptations because I'm thinking 'that's not what they look like'! Does anyone else do this?

I imagine it too. It's difficult explain because it's instantaneous. Last night I read Water for Elephants before bed and it played on through my dreams. I'm not sure if that's ever happened before to that extent or if I was influenced by the fact that I watched the film a month ago.

I think it would be impossible to read a book and not imagine the characters and settings in your head, it just comes naturally.

It's frustrating when you have pictured a person in the story and then chapters in the writer describes their dark hair and you've pictured them blonde for example.

If I consciously try and picture a character then I can find it hard to decide what they look like! I'm best not trying to think and just let the images come. Surely though you can't read without images appearing like a film?

I saw ROOM in my dreams the evening I finished the book it was rather strange. I read somewhere that there are different types of learning. Wikipedia says...

Fleming claimed that visual learners have a preference for seeing (think in pictures; visual aids such as overhead slides, diagrams, handouts, etc.). Auditory learners best learn through listening (lectures, discussions, tapes, etc.). Tactile/kinesthetic learners prefer to learn via experience—moving, touching, and doing (active exploration of the world; science projects; experiments, etc.). Its use in pedagogy allows teachers to prepare classes that address each of these areas. Students can also use the model to identify their preferred learning style and maximize their educational experience by focusing on what benefits them the most.

I am most definitely a visual learner.

That annoys me too Ness, my brain scrambles a bit lol.

ETA- It was childcare course where I read about it.

Yes we did a test on a training course I was on where words were put up on the screen and we had to mark down instantly whether the first reaction we had was to imagine a sound, picture, smell or feeling.
So for example - think of dentist.

Most people in the room imagined the sound of a drill. 18/20 of mine were visual so it makes sense I would imagine the book like a film but not everyone does, so I wondered who else did or didn't.

I think descriptive books that use a lot of adjectives, similes and verbs should trigger all the senses. Using a noun to see which sense it triggers is a clever way to determine which way may be most affective for an individual to learn. I have an unusual memory which means sometimes my head records things it thinks are important. So I'll remember where someone is, what they are doing and even details about what they are wearing when conversations happen. Means I'm a bit of an all round learner.

I'm like Amina - I hate seeing films of books I've read and thought 'that'd be a great film' - but they've not used my imaginary stuff :-( I get really disappointed!!
I also start wondering what the characters are up to while I'm going about my day - almost as if the book is reality but parallel to ours.............

Haha! I've done that too Lou :)

I like to play casting director with my books, trying to imagine which actor I'd pick for every part, naturally I have an unlimited budget :) I have thought many times maybe it'd make a fun game for the forum, Cast the Book, what do you think?

Ten wrote: "I like to play casting director with my books, trying to imagine which actor I'd pick for every part, naturally I have an unlimited budget :) I have thought many times maybe it'd make a fun game fo..."

Do you mean on here? Sounds like fun - go for it!

Hummm, we'd have to pick a well-known book... Suggestions? :)

Ten wrote: "Hummm, we'd have to pick a well-known book... Suggestions? :)"

Maybe if you go for one of the past group reads that you've read too;)

while I was reading American Gods I pictured Brian Cox as Wednesday. but then I thought of Stellan Skarsgard, and now I can't decide, I think they would both be great. for Mad Sweeney I thought of Jared Harris and for Loki Ewan McGregor. I just can't think of a good Shadow.

so yes, I absolutely imagine the characters and often do my own casting in my head. I also get annoyed when they make a film out of a book I love and use people with a completely different look than I imagined or different to the way it was described in the book.

I was over the moon when they cast Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, he was exactly who I had imagined (also Sirius is my favourite character and I've loved Gary Oldman since seeing him in Dracula), so it was like they cast him just for me.

Who's Brian Cox? I'm thinking of the stargazing man but I think you might mean someone else?
I wonder if Morgan Freeman would make a good Wednesday

Actually apparently Lenny Henry did an amazing audio book of Anansi Boys so maybe him for Wednesday, but made to look older?

do you mean Mr. Nancy? I'm just confused, because I love Morgan Freeman, but I didn't really picture Mr. Wednesday/Odin as a non-white person.

this is Brian Cox http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004051/

Oops yes, getting my books and names mixed up there.
He looks like he would be a good Wednesday :)

;)

Mr. Nancy I pictured as more small and skinny, but I haven't got anyone particular in my head for him yet.

but we might find out soonish either way, because http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1898069/

Neil Gaiman wrote in a recent blogpost that he was actually in the process of writing the first episode. I hope it will be as well-made as the Game of Thrones series.