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Anyone else just enjoy "no think" books?


Ottakee
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I love to read and sometimes read a book or more a day if I have the time, other times it is less than a book a week.

 

I see all these threads about these wonderful, life changing books, classical books, etc. Honestly, right now when I read, I just want a nice, "no think" book. This can include Christian fiction, light humor and memoir type books, and other fiction/non-fiction books. I just don't have the desire or brain power left at night to read anything really heavy or thought provoking/life changing.

 

Anyone else like this?

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It depends on how I am feeling. If I feel ill I don't want anything too complex. I do still like non-fiction when I am feeling bad but things that wear my brain out are mostly symbolism, metaphors and such, like Catwoman said. I also read fluff occasionally.

 

I mostly don't like books that are upsetting or make me cry. I don't want to read things like The Painted Veil, Time Travelers Wife, Lovely Bones or any of that. If someone recommends a book my first question is always, "Is it ugly cry?"

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Yup, I love me a little brain candy. Usually young adult books in the genre of supernatural beings (vampires, werewolves, witches, etc) and sookie books. Quick, easily, mindless perfect for late night reading to fall asleep by, waiting rooms etc. Distractions don't matter because they are so formulaic you can still get right back into it lol

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75% of what I read is mind candy - paranormal's, urban fantasy, romances, cozy mysteries. I don't like books that make me cry and try to avoid them at all costs. Once in a while I'll be in the mood for one but otherwise - let me be entertained and taken away from my life for a while.

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Most of what I read is mind candy since it's the only thing I feel like I can read with constant interruptions and noise all around. I lean toward Science Fiction/Fantasy, Mercedes Lackey, Dean Koontz, I've read Sookie Stackhouse, JD Robb In Death Series, and lots and lots of teen vampire/witch/werewolf fiction, usually at the recommendation of my oldest.

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Yes, sometimes. I like all sorts of books. Sometimes I'm not in the mood for a deep book. I see nothing wrong with that.

 

If I want to relax, spare me the symbolism and the metaphors and the convoluted and complex plots. I don't want to think. I want something fun and easy.

 

My favorite kinds of books. :) I love to read just to read and not have to think. It allows me to take a time out from life.

 

let me be entertained and taken away from my life for a while.

 

Yes. I like all kinds of books for all kinds of reasons. I do not always read for edification. Sometimes I read because my brain wants candy. :w00t:

 

Sure. Why not? Life is not all seriousness. It's laughter too.

 

Most of the time I read to escape reality and fluff fits that bill quite nicely.

 

I agree with all of the above. :)

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I like all kinds of books. If I'm feeling stressed or busy, I like no-thinking books. I've been reading those lately. If I'm not schooling or working or very busy, I drift towards intellectual books (TWEM kind of stuff).

 

Right now I'm reading a total fluff book on a couple's adventures in moving to Alaska. It was a freebie on Kindle, and she's not a very good writer, but it keeps my mind occupied while I wait to get sleepy.

 

I read another fluffy one before this, last week, but I already can't remember what it was about. Oy.

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Since the only time I get to sit down and read is at bedtime, I read braincandy. I try to make it a bit intellectual by reading series that are set in a certain era and picking up little tidbits about history. They are all mysteries. I've read most of the Amelia Peabody series and the SPQR series. Currently I'm reading through a Knights Templar series.

 

Despite all the mysteries I've read, Miss Marple are still my favorite! I can't wait to share them with my daughter, who also loves mysteries.

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I'll just agree with what everyone said. Well, everyone except Bill ;). I read for so many different reasons. Sometimes I read deep, fulfilling books. Sometimes I have just needed a dose of Twilight/brain crack. I love all books (except Moby Dick, which I am sure will put me on Bill's ignore list :p). I am always reading something. I think you can take something useful away from every book you read.

 

Wendi-who is currently reading Outliers, CS Lewis, and some Terry Goodkind book

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I've been going through a Pride and Prejudice fan-fiction phase lately... :leaving:

 

I do love my mind candy, although my New Year's Resolution is to add more quality into my reading diet. Not that I don't read anything of substance, but I want to make the ratio more even. :tongue_smilie:

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I'll just agree with what everyone said. Well, everyone except Bill ;). I read for so many different reasons. Sometimes I read deep, fulfilling books. Sometimes I have just needed a dose of Twilight/brain crack. I love all books (except Moby Dick, which I am sure will put me on Bill's ignore list :p). I am always reading something. I think you can take something useful away from every book you read.

 

Wendi-who is currently reading Outliers, CS Lewis, and some Terry Goodkind book

 

 

I already read enough mind-numbing things on this forum that I don't need "no think" books :D

 

Bill (off to read Moby Dick with my son)

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I already read enough mind-numbing things on this forum that I don't need "no think" books :D

 

Bill (off to read Moby Dick with my son)

 

You know we love you, Bill. I really, really, REALLY want to love Moby Dick, but the phrase "Call me Ishmael" puts me right to sleep.

 

Wendi-who is much younger than Bill and reads crap like The Phantom Tollbooth to her kids

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Since the only time I get to sit down and read is at bedtime, I read braincandy. I try to make it a bit intellectual by reading series that are set in a certain era and picking up little tidbits about history. They are all mysteries. I've read most of the Amelia Peabody series and the SPQR series. Currently I'm reading through a Knights Templar series.

 

Despite all the mysteries I've read, Miss Marple are still my favorite! I can't wait to share them with my daughter, who also loves mysteries.

 

Is it the Michael Jecks series? I love those. Nothing like medieval murder to pass the time!

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I already read enough mind-numbing things on this forum that I don't need "no think" books :D

 

Bill (off to read Moby Dick with my son)

 

Seriously - you never read anything that isn't heavy? Even the Lord Wimsey or fun classics? Georgette Heyer is hilarious but not at all hard. Historical fiction? Nothing just to have fun?

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Seriously - you never read anything that isn't heavy? Even the Lord Wimsey or fun classics? Georgette Heyer is hilarious but not at all hard. Historical fiction? Nothing just to have fun?

 

Honestly? No.

 

But I think outstanding literature is "fun" and a "no think" book ain't.

 

Bill

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Seriously - you never read anything that isn't heavy? Even the Lord Wimsey or fun classics? Georgette Heyer is hilarious but not at all hard. Historical fiction? Nothing just to have fun?

 

IME anyone who says they "never do any light reading *sniff*" has a serious Johanna Lindsey habit.

 

 

 

I read non-fiction for fun (I read fluff as well) but I find huge chunks of facts soothing. That's probably a bit weird but I am sure there are others here who are similarly wired. Historical fiction bothers me, not because I am a book snob but because they are mucking in those facts that I find soothing. :lol: I suppose it is like wandering into an OCD person's home and rearranging their cupboards.

 

I bought Alison Weir's fiction book about Lady Jane Grey and it really annoyed me. I hate being told historical characters are thinking!!

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And for that there's PG Wodehouse!

 

I'm totally in love with Bertie Wooster. I can read his books and laugh out loud until I have tears running down my face, I'm concerned I'm going to wet myself, and the other people in the waiting room at the doctor's office are trying not to make eye contact.

 

Honestly? No. But I think outstanding literature is "fun" and "no think" book ain't. Bill

 

I can't read poor writing (for today's rant on poor writing see my review on the Book a Week thread) but that doesn't mean that modern and lighter things aren't "good" books. Would you consider Agatha Christie or Robert Jordan or PG Wodehouse or George MacDonald or Josephine Tey light/fluffy/unworthy of your time reads? I don't. There's a lot in those books that is really fantastic. Great turns of phrase, wonderful plots, humor. All things I conside things we should experience regularly.

 

I can only assume that we don't have the same meaning when we talk about worthwhile books.

 

- Amy who is not really a book snob but would appreciate it if casual aquantinances stop recommending 50 Shades to her because they loooooooved it.

 

 

PS What about Narnia? Those are "no think" books and I can't imagine life without having experienced that adventure!

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I love to read and sometimes read a book or more a day if I have the time, other times it is less than a book a week.

 

I see all these threads about these wonderful, life changing books, classical books, etc. Honestly, right now when I read, I just want a nice, "no think" book. This can include Christian fiction, light humor and memoir type books, and other fiction/non-fiction books. I just don't have the desire or brain power left at night to read anything really heavy or thought provoking/life changing.

 

Anyone else like this?

 

 

Hellzzz yeah - anything (adult) by Alexander McCall Smith

 

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

Toujours Provence by Peter Mayle

Adventures with Knife, Spoon, and Fork by Peter Mayle

 

Nearly everything by Bill Bryson BUT he has adult humor. He is mostly known for his travelogues.

 

Don't care for heavy duty reading either.

 

BTW, these are not dumb books, say, like Twilight and Shades ... I like light but not so light that I am enraged by their stupidity.

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- Amy who is not really a book snob but would appreciate it if casual aquantinances stop recommending 50 Shades to her because they loooooooved it.

 

 

 

Maybe you should recommend various pornographic films to them and see if they stop. I don't see the difference.

 

 

Oh I know! Recommend they read Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk.1 They will NEVER recommend another book to you again. EVER.

 

 

 

 

1The above is not to be taken as a recommendation. I have not read that book it is just a joke because the book contains necrophilia, it can be argued that 50 Shades of Grey does as well. Yes, he is the guy who wrote Fight Club, most of his books involve bleaching your brain afterwards so don't blame me if you accidentally read one and then can't unsee things.

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Maybe you should recommend various pornographic films to them and see if they stop. I don't see the difference.

 

:laugh:

 

I've been trying to think of fun comebacks when that happens. The best I can come up with so far is to recommend The Making of the Atomic Bomb to them. Even my uber-smart nerdy DH can't get through that book. I want to tell them it's huge metaphor for "doing it" and see how many attempt to read the book.

 

Also I do know how to spell a-c-q-u-a-i-n-t-a-n-c-e.

 

Oops. I quoted too soon. Is Lullaby strange or graphic?

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