Shoutout to my grandma's friend Martha who made me rethink why I even read fiction in the first place

She said she only reads books that make her feel less alone in the world, and here I've been obsessing over plot holes and character arcs for 15 years like that was the point, has anyone else had a random conversation that just shifted your whole approach to picking books?

3 comments

3 Comments

kelly.charlie20d ago

Dang, that Martha sounds like she gets it. Plot holes matter but who cares if the book doesn't actually touch you somewhere real. Been chasing that "less alone" feeling ever since a buddy told me he only reads books where he'd grab a beer with the main character. Changed everything.

gracec1620d ago

Has anyone else had their whole reading taste change because of one offhand comment from someone totally random?

karen_sanchez4920d ago

@gracec16 it's funny how one random comment can stick with you but is it really that deep? Martha sounds sweet but plot holes and character arcs are actually important too, otherwise you end up reading a bunch of feel-good fluff that falls apart if you think about it for two seconds. Maybe it's not about shifting your whole approach but just adding another filter to the pile, like I still want a story that holds together but yeah it's nice when it also makes you feel something real.