Sunday, May 31, 2009

Sometimes I Surprise Myself!

In my early 30s I became acquainted with a woman about twice my age who shared my love of reading. In talking with her, I learned that she primarily read non-fiction, and was avid about learning new things. With the arrogance of youth, I wondered why, since she was retired, and therefore "old," with no practical (meaning income-producing) way to apply that knowledge.

Now that I’m about her age, I’ve found that all I want to read is non-fiction, and that I just can’t seem to get my fill of learning something new. I now understand that people don’t have to "do" something with their knowledge, that there is great pleasure in simply discovering new information or expanding existing information.

I still enjoy fiction, although my tastes have changed dramatically over the years, but I’ll nearly always chose non-fiction first. Some of it is lightweight, and some of it forces me to really study what the author is saying. I’m very eclectic, reading from an extensive selection of authors, philosophies, and fields.

I suppose in a way that I’m looking for answers, although I’ve not formulated any serious questions. I think, though, that most of it is a matter of curiosity, of wanting to know as much as I can about everything. The older I get, the more I realize how little I really know, despite having lived a full life, with a variety of experiences.

4 comments:

Robin said...

Hi Cassandra,

I am a lover of non-fiction as well. I enjoy the analytical challenge, the education, and the story of truth. As I mature, I am letting loose a bit, and find that a bit of fiction, suits me. Isn't it interesting how our tastes in genre evolve?

Fiction make me wonder what goes on in a mind that is able to contrive a story so enjoyable or twisted; I find myself trying to figure out the author as well as the plot.

Robin

Cassandra said...

Hi Robin,

>>>Isn't it interesting how our tastes in genre evolve?

Yes. I used to devour science fiction and mysteries. I seldom read either now.

>>>I find myself trying to figure out the author as well as the plot.

My plots are usually pretty simple and easy to figure out. Dunno if my books give insight into the twists of my mind, LOL. I know parts of me are in every story, but I don't always know which parts, etc. It all comes from the subconscious, and there's tons of stuff swirling around there.

Cassandra

Outte Law said...

Hi Cass,

I'm sitting here storming my brain for that bit of non-fiction I must have read at some point in my life, but I'm coming up empty. My mother-in-law loves non-fiction, so much so that she'll not part with her non-fiction stash. She glady gives her fiction books to her daughter-in-law, though.

I find it interesting, too, that as we grow older so do our tastes, and not only in reading material, either.

Is it a natural occurence in the progression of our life to broaden our intellect?

Ta,
Bliss

Cassandra said...

Hi Bliss,

>>Is it a natural occurence in the progression of our life to broaden our intellect?

I've heard it said that middle age is when our broad minds and narrow waists begin to change places, LOL.

I try to keep an open mind and read about ideas I disagree with as well as those with which I'm in agreement. I've also heard it said that if your mind is too open, you risk having your brains fall out, LOL.

But for now, non-fiction is like chocolate for me - I can't get enough, LOL.

Cass