Posts Tagged ‘literature’

Literature.

The word means so many things to so many people. Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, prose, a long novel, a porno with a plot… But to me, above all else, literature is a means of escape.

Fiction is my drug of choice when something unpleasant, stressful, or downright miserable happens in life. Opening a book and getting lost in a world where things are more magical, romantic, but most importantly different is a wonderful way to deal with distress.

The interesting thing is, there was a point in my life when I simply didn’t read any books outside of school textbooks. I’d say it started sometime in high school and lasted up until a few months ago. I realize now that I didn’t read because I was fairly content with my life and had no need to escape into another one. As of late, I find certain aspects of my daily life incredibly taxing to my poor nerves (this message brought to you by Jane Austen) and so have rediscovered my love of fantasy. I am currently re-reading The Lord of the Rings series- already finished The Hobbit and am nearly done with The Fellowship of the Ring- and I find myself thinking about the alternate universe of Middle Earth throughout the day. For example, last evening I saw a small murder of crows flying above my house; I thought to myself, “Could those be crebain from Isengard?” Now that, my friend, is powerful (also somewhat sad on my part).

Seriously though, isn’t it amazing how truly powerful literature is? We all succumb to it eventually, if we’re lucky, and it forever holds us in its powerful grip. It influences our society in ways we’re not even consciously aware of!

Well, now that this entry has taken a disturbingly cheesy turn, I think it best to conclude with a question:

What does literature mean to you?

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