Congratulations to Dot at Picket's Place! To celebrate my 100th post, she won More Holy Humor. I've notified her, and I will get her prize in the mail as soon as I receive her mailing information.Today is the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Do real-world catastrophes affect what you choose to read? Personally, I used to enjoy reading Tom Clancy, but haven’t been able to stomach his fight-terrorist kinds of books since.Great question. Someone's been reading my mind!
And, does the reality of that kind of heartless, vicious attack change the way you feel about villains in the books you read? Are they scarier or more two-dimensional and cookie-cutter in the face of the things you see on the news?
I was in school; it was my planning period, and I was going to the restroom. A colleague stopped me and told me. I felt it MUST have been an accident. When I returned to my classroom, I turned on the TV and saw the second plane crash into the building. ((shudder))
The answer to today's question is yes! Yes, 9/11 changed the way I react to media, and yes, I choose to not read dark, scary stories, not to attend movies with violent themes, and not to view gory television programs. I even avoid newspaper articles about the evil in society! LOL Sometimes, I go through the paper rather quickly! I too was a Tom Clancy fan, but no longer read him.
Note please the name of this blog. I believe that we must laugh, smile, and enjoy the good things that God has given us.
Therefore, my favorite reading material would be something that enriches the mind--teaches, provokes some thought, or causes me to laugh out loud. I like to escape when I read. I want sugar candy for the brain!
PS I just realized that I have read at least two titles about 9/11: One Tuesday Morning and Beyond Tuesday Morning by Kingsbury.
Did 9/11 change your reading preferences?
33 comments:
9-11 hasn't changed my reading preferences. I still enjoy a good thriller (no gore!) and I've never been a fan of any kind of political based book. I've also never read anything by Tom Clancy.
I like Stephen King though...certainly not uplifting but I find it entertaining.
I'm like you. I belive in being postitive and upbeat in life. The world is a better place when you can laugh!
take care,
Dawn
The morning it happened I was at the beauty shop ALONE! I just had a radio on and I could not reach any one by phone. The station was a Chicago station. They were talking about evacuation of their building.All I could hear was the terror in the voices .From then on I always have a small TV on at the shop.That week I could not find a flag for my car so I painted it on . Along with a firefighter and the buildings on fire. I kept it on till I sold my car. Kathy
Yes, I enjoyed coming over to the "Smilin' Sally" blog with such a serious topic.
Here are my thoughts on this week's topic.
With lots of people dead in the Kashmir region everyday, for the last thirty years or so, I still don't know how to react. Other than deep sadness.
Hi Sally
Congratuations to Dot!!
9/11 hasn't changed my reading preferences but has changed what I watch on TV. I was never into violent types of movies or shows but I certainly can't appreciate it in any movies these days. I can't watch the suffering and sadness...its not entertaining, its just too real.
We must laugh and be happy and appreciate all the good around us...good thoughts.
I've posted on 9/11 today as well as I'm sure many have. But, I do hope we can all have a very lovely day....as we remember.
Judi
Well, I never really liked the genre much, so I can't say that my preferences changed. I would rather read a book that has a sure-fire happy ending because, hey, we've got enough troubles in real life.
I wasn't a huge fan of gore and mayhem before 9/11, and I'm still not (never read Tom Clancy). But I still like a good scary book or movie once in a while.
I know what it's like to avoid a certain subject area in literature. We all have our own tolerances. And hey, there is no reason to read books you don't like. There are plenty of others to read!
JM @ TheBookStacks.com
Sugar candy for the brain...agreed!!
9/11 completely changed my life. I never thought anything like that could ever happen in america. It was a real wake up call for me.
I actually read more of those types of books. My new favorite authors are Brad Thor, Alex Berenson and Brian Haig. I guess I like these books more because the heroes always save us from the impending doom. And Brad Thor's books really do give you insight into how the government tries to keep us safe.
Sally, I would say no to my choice of reading material. I am not a political person who seeks out opinions of our political writers. They annoy me in that these writers always lean left or right and do not have open minds. I am sure there must be exceptions but I don't care. Our leaders in this country, either party, do not have respect from so many Americans. I believe we should respect our president and leaders in the government no matter what their party is. I am a dreamer, I guess. I love America and I simply do not understand the radicals on either side.
Wow, your question is a good one.
Hugs...Jeanne
I completely agree that we should continue to laugh and smile and enjoy the good in our lives. It makes no sense to be scared all the time; we can't control these things, but we can control our own lives and live them to the best of our abilities.
- Medieval Bookworm
I agree with Dawn, I've always love a good thriller or mystery novel but nothing too gory. It has changed the way I think about other things in the media. I know the images of that day will forever be etched in our minds. And we will always remember the details of where/how we found out about the events of that horrific day. God bless all those who died and gave their lives, God bless those that still defend our country and communities each day.
I think I try to make my reading more escapist...good answer, though.
Here are my thoughts.
That is a great question. I do believe that my reading is mostly novels on a more uplifting side, but I do find that I will read books following events that shape our society. Perhaps it is my attempt to understand why people act (or react) the way that they do.
No, no changes in my reading. But I like to read everything.
911 hasn't changed my reading preferences. (Nor my hubby's) I just recommended to my hubby that he should do a blog on the books he reads...he reads FASTTTTT! And he is also a writer. :)
Hope you have a good day.
Sal, I love your positive attitude. And you seem to surround yourselves with positive things. We should all take a lesson from you.
I read everything I can put my hands on.Altho I must say 911 shook me to the core I live in Canada I remember that day very well,it terrified me and I live far from Manhattan as can be.My prayers are with the families today.
Diane
Your story of when you heard the news is very similar to my own.
How it affected you however, seems more similar to my wife's reaction to becoming a mother. She's now unable to attend to, or uninterested in, media violence. Odd that the 9/11 attacks and motherhood would have anything in common. That they'd both be life altering is no surprise, but that it could be in the same way is interesting.
I don't think it changed my reading preferences much, but I don't read those kinds of books anyway.
The day did affect me in other ways, though.
9/11 hasn't changed my reading habit because I always read books that make me appreciate the art of writing and to detach myself from reality.
I don't think that 9/11 changed my reading preferences, but it sure is never far from my thoughts. I sure look at things differently. Sally
I don't read those kinds of books either, Sally. You do have a great attitude. And laughing is good for us, you know.
I do watch too much news on TV, which as we know, is not too good. And I keep my eyes open. Thanks for visiting my blog.
I still like horror books and movies, but really not anything with a terrorism theme. If I want to read about terrorist attacks, I can always pick up a newspaper or magazine, but I wouldn't choose to read about them for pleasure.
I think we certainly have different takes on this topic. But that's what makes for interesting reading.
Hi Sally...
Thanks for visiting today and leaving me such wonderful comments!! I love B&B's and cooking and baking...so alot of my posts are about that.
One thing that has changed since 9-11, is I've become more of a home-body. I'm more a "nester", who loves to be at home!!!
~Blessings,
Jan
Hi Sally,
congratulations to Dot! She is such a sweet lady...so glad she won.
Although 9/11 affected me and the majority of Americans profoundly...it didn't really affect my reading choices!
Diane
My reading material just includes romance, comedy and possibly a good thriller thrown in but never anything close to the happenings of 9/11.
It did,however, change the movies I now watch.
Oh, and did I tell you that i have my next weeks Blue Monday post ready so add me to your list....
love, bj
Good early morning Sally, when I can't sleep, here I am reading and posting....I only read self-help books and novels about families and relationships..I also enjoy reading about how God is woven in our lives..
Where do I find Blue Monday topics?/
Have a good day ...I must get some sleep before I go exercise at Curves this morning, Baba
Hi Sally - I need to visit your blog more as I think I definitely need to read more for fun!
Life's getting too serious for me here in China :P
Time for me to pick up a nice chicklit novel or something light. Thanks for the reminder :)
Nope it hasn't changed mine at all. I answered the BTT on my book blog.
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