Also “bad” books are fine. Read more bad books! Genre novels, tasteless erotica, random fan fiction. Whatever’s entertaining, read it. I gave up on the idea of reading what’s “good for me” a while back, and I’m happier for it.
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Interesting. I go through phases when I read "bad books" like bestsellers or what's popular bc I want to see that the bar for publication is actually lower than I think. But those books make me feel cynical & grody. It's only when I go back to the truly good stuff that I feel better about the world.
I love this take, and I agree. It's the same vibe as liking B-movies or those cheap button candies from the dollar store. If you like something, just like it unapologetically and be happier for it.
I mean sure, but there are always some I’ll purposely avoid because time is precious and deserves more respect than filling it with the infamously crap.
When I was looking to write my first novel I read a whole mess of books I wouldn’t normally have read to see how they flowed and ebbed and the mechanics of it all. Whatever anyone say about stuff like Danielle Steele and Jackie Collins they know how to tell a story and I enjoyed them very much
Not all your literature has to be world changing or academic. Sometimes you just wanna read something incredibly self indulgent and have fun. It doesn't have to be good; it just has to make you happy! That's good enough!
I once stuck with a bad book, I hated the character dialogue, but the world building was amazing. I looked at the authors other works and found the best series I've read this year 🙌
If anyone wants to read an amazing 19 book Doctor Who fanfic clocking just under 2 million words total across the whole series I highly recommend the Guardians of the Universe series by Lumendea! I’ve read it 6 times, no regrets lol https://archiveofourown.org/series/170732
Unfortunately, I'm reading a bunch of "good bad" books lately. I mean, books that are supposed to be good for being acclaimed by critics but sucks hard.
i’m big on tasteless erotica. especially ice planet barbarians. clearly banking on people who are attracted to the blue avatar people but the writing draws me in. there’s so many of them too 😭😭
I'm glad to have read this post. I try my best to read the books that are on the tops of everybody's list but sometimes I just want to read a Mack Bolan Executioner book
OMG YES! I’m majoring in communications and I can’t emphasize enough how much “bad books” keep me going, if I was only reading what academics say I’d probably quit reading altogether
I have found some fanfics to be better than some of the newer published. I can't get through many books lately, but have read 44k word fanfics in one day.
I concur. People don't realize that the Wilder their imagination the better their world will be. The subconscious mind is extremely powerful. Awesome post....
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me tell you it’s a journey.
Do whatever you wish creatively! There’s always something productive to be done. (Even if it’s indulging in “bad” media!)
I dont recommend.