I met a retired high school librarian that revealed to me that she thought fiction was pointless and a waste of time. I couldn't believe my ears! Then I thought of all those high school kids that she led astray. My only consolation was that she was retired so she couldn't influence the kids anymore. My own grade school librarian pointed me to mysteries and I am so thankful for her. She was so supportive and encouraging.

So nicely said. How empty our lives would be without stories, whether it be books or movies. There are books and movies that I still think about even though I enjoyed them a long time ago.

Many thanks for this most enjoyable discussion. I have met over the years, several people who are highly educated I might add, who have stated "Oh, I never read fiction", with an. air of superiority in their exclamation and they have left me bewildered. How can they live without imagination? Stories in all forms are the colour in my life.

I have Autism. Reading fiction is the best option I have to understand other people. Human motivations are often illogical and ego driven so I can't relate until I have a fictional comparison. I really couldn't function without fiction to explain to me how very differently other minds work from mine.

Think it was sci-fi/fantasy author Neil Gaiman who once said..."fiction is the lie that tells the truth."

I had a fellow teacher at university many years ago and he was a world renowned professor in psychology. He told me that if you want to educate yourself then read good fiction.

This topic is so important. I feel like fiction has a unique ability to heal people. Through a VR-like process (a process which I feel is more realistic than modern VR technology), you simulate situations in which you feel you are the center of action or at least very close to the center of action. And through these experiences, you become transformed. Complexes and traumas you might have had could be healed through an experience like that. I say this because it happened to me!

What you just said is so true! As a fiction and non fiction reader, I love to alternate between these two genres. I have great admiration for anyone who can write well and keep me turning the pages.

Thanks so much Rosamunde for this video. Reading is a huge joy in my life, and I read all different things but I love fiction. I totally agree that it adds so much to how a person views the world. I have a close friend who feels guilt when she reads and thinks she should be working. I asked her to take a break with a tea and try and read for 15 minutes. She's enjoying it so I'm hoping she will continue to read. I love my books and you've given me so many ideas for new reads. Hi Tilly!

As Groucho Marx once said...outside of a dog a book is a man's best friend...inside of a dog it's too dark to read!

If I didn't have a story/a book on the go, I don't know that I could manage in life.

Such a beautiful video and wise woman. This conversation made me feel very happy.

What a sad world it would be with no films, plays, musicals, art, and yes books etc that are not just factual accounts. Wouldn’t that be boring!

I have read fiction all my life since i learnt to read and can't imagine life without a book 'with a story' to hand. It would be a very sad and boring existence.

On my way to work this morning, reading EH Young' s The Curate' s Wife, I was noticing in domestic moments how oerceptive she was and how I'd not noticed or thought of that before Now!! How helpful had I read this or many other books sooner-- as I often come by these thoughts decades too late! So it' s right on! What you' re presenting today! Hip Hip Hooray for you! Fiction is slower and more aware than some action film.

Excellent explanation/rationale for reading fiction. I read both fiction and nonfiction and I must confess that I HAVE indeed wondered what the point was in reading fiction--other than keeping me from the doors of dementia a bit longer! 😄

You are correct; stories are so important. In working with students aged 11-12, I see the effect of of not reading. They struggle to connect ideas and to think. Many have not been exposed to the flow of a good story. This year I am selecting a piece if literature for our listeningpleasure. I believe it will impact their writing and connection to themselves and others. On a personal note, I used to favor nonfiction. Then at work there were so many readers of fiction. I felt left out of the loop, so I began reading more fiction. I now read more fiction than nonfiction. Thank you for the topic. I recently found you and enjoy your content. Kim

I have had kurt remarks about my collections of novels hurled at me. That i should use my time learning truth and factual details, not stories.

Thank you! Love this! Especially the dog. So very clever! ❤❤

very interesting topic - I've never stopped to consider that some may not care for Fiction reads -- but cannot understand why some would find it a 'waste of time'. What a world they are missing out on! Reading is such a huge part of my life -- can't wait to retire 🤣