Word Surge

Talking of Wimbledon, what is this 'physicality' that the commentators were talking about during the Murray/Wawrinka match?

To answer FTSE 100's question:- Do people read well? Do they understand what they read? Do they remember what they've read? Can they detach themselves from the mechanical activity of moving eyes across page and be absorbed in the story without being aware that they are reading? For most people, probably not. I can and do often, If I am reading a certain author for instance I more often than not become so caught up and involved I am physically transported and become part of the very fabric of the story, I hear nothing, see nothing, smell nothing, feel nothing. My husband has often had to shake me back and then he says I look at him as though he is a stranger. Yes, I know I'm weird! (:

I know exactly what you mean Val. My wife declares that I can actually converse with her when reading but that my answers make absolutely no sense and could be attributed to a conversation held earlier; even days before hand. I never have any recollection of answering her at all...and you thought YOU were weird! I read voraciously (never less than 3 books a week), a habit that I have from childhood. I can read anywhere and no amount of noise, light or bombs going off bothers me in the slightest. I have one unbreakable rule though; I cannot read more than one book at a time. Am I unusual in this? My son, who is in college can become immersed in up to three books at a time; I find this unbelievable. I have given up on books in the past and gone on to read something else instead but could not read more than one simultaneously. How do others feel about this; am I the only one with this limited ability? Anyway, a lot of kids today do not read enough - in my humble opinion but then, there are a lot more distractions around now than when I was growing up. I do think it is a shame though as there seems to be so many wonderful books and writers for children out there now.

I agree - if the book is captivating enough, I'll read that alone and be totally absorbed. However, if it's a little boring, I'll pick another up and it'll take me ages to finish. Sometimes I don't even bother. I think writing style is often just as important if not more so than storyline - shocking though it is, I could not get through 1984 - it was so putdownable. Jilly Cooper's horsey tales? Have kept me up into the early hours! I'm like Val and Chris - once 'in a book', I can be so wrapped up in it that I'm not 'here'! I truly believe that the more you read, the more your own use of language, spelling, grammar, punctuation etc will improve! And Chris is right - the children/teen market has been booming over recent years - a certain JK helping rekindle it! J x

I remember I was given Jane Eyre to read when I was nine years old. Woolworths used to do a Half crown each collection of classics and I was given it for my birthday. It took me ages just to get past the first page, not because I didn't understand it but because the words Charlotte Bronte used so enchanted me I just wanted to keep them on my tongue for as long as I could. Suddenly I realised I would have plenty more to enjoy by getting past that first page. I remember the feelings as though it were yesterday. I have tried to instill the same love of reading into my children and Grandchildren, but sadly to no avail, they would rather watch Hollywood's version of the classics which is a shame. David Lean's version of Great Expectations was marvelous but never one mention of Orlick the attacker of Mrs Gargery,no proper explanation of Miss Havershams plight, or Estella's parentage. So many wonderful details left out. What a lot of pure pleasure people miss by not reading.

I agree with Val with regard to the 'movies'. I don't think that I have ever seen a film that compared favourably to the book. The Godfather was perhaps the closest. I read all the Harry Potter books myself as my younger son finished them and was completely enthralled. I sometimes think the people who write for kids; JK, P.Pullman, etcetera have contained a certain understanding and simplicity of style and tone that writers of more mature targeted audience have lost a little. Of those that I have read - and I have read a lot - they seem to realize that the story is the principle element and not how beautiful it is. I know; that's a very general statement but it's only my view.

I hope I'm never downwind of your drift especially if you're on the bog FTSE100.

Into the Wild, No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood. All were superior (IMO) to the books they're based on. Not to mention Persepolis, Dark Knight, Sin City, V For Vendetta, A History of Violence (bit of a cheat, but were inspired by Graphic Novels) Indeed FTSE, I'd have to say Twilight is some of the most disgustingly popular crap on the market since Ann Rice started writing.

I've started reading alot during my lunch breaks and when I get home from work, having seen the film Persepolis I decided to read the Graphic Novel it's based upon., it's utterly fantastic. Much the same as Fun Home and Maus (only graphic novel to win a pulitzer)