[Defenestration]

My bookshelf is mostly filled with non-fiction, so I guess I have to answer that. I enjoy fiction too, but it happens very seldom that I pick up and read such a book. Maybe I should start.

[Mogy]

I discovered how much I liked to read about a year ago, and I love fiction. You see, I want to be a writer one day, and reading good fiction makes my mind blow up.

However, I love fun facts. They're like a tiny piece of the world you never noticed. :D

[joliet]

I tend to read fiction, my INTJ boyfriend reads mostly nonfiction (analytical text, philosophical text, programming how tos, math, etc.) and the occasional fantasy novel.

[mewhee2]

Both. But I can't read a fiction and a non-fiction book at the same time and I'm much more pickier about my fiction reads.

[FloatOn]

I have to say I like fiction that's mostly practical. Like a made up story that could be true. I don't really like the books to where it is totally fake/fantasy. (Some exceptions like The Chronicles of Narnia.)

But i do like to scare myself sometimes and buy some haunting short story books that give me goosebumps lol

Idk if I even like the harry potter books, they seem so farfetched and I can't relate (the movies are entertaining though
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[Silwin]

	Originally Posted by vampyremage To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I have a very strong preference for fantasy novels. I enjoy learning stuff quite a bit but most of my non-fiction reading isn't so much in novel format as it is online reading about the various things that catch my interest.

I also do my non-fiction reading mostly online. While much of my reading is non-fiction. This is mostly as I use reading as an escape. I like a variety of books but most often enjoy fantasy. Currently re-reading Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.

[INTJane]

I prefer non-fiction.

[LizzyGirl]

I like both. Fiction for books mostly, because that's to blow off steam when I don't want to think too much and just want a nice story. I read online for more non-fiction stuff - news articles, Wikipedia, etc. Haha - if you can call it non-fiction. Hard to tell sometimes these days with what shows up in some media outlets.

[MissionPossible]

In adulthood, I have nearly always read non-fiction. Prior to age 18, I also enjoyed reading the classics of fiction as well as some junior fiction and best-sellers of the time, which as I recall were mysteries and thrillers of politics & government, science, and psychology....as well as pseudo histories. After high school, I rarely found much interest in fiction, nor time or space for it as my reading pile has always been well-stocked with non-fiction clamoring to be read. Once in a blue moon, I make time now and then to read fiction that strikes me as having highly significant value in a non-fiction topic I am interested in such as social perspective or mental processing.

Unfortunately, because it has become incredibly easy for anyone to become a published author, quality has greatly suffered.

[holdyourhead]

Non-fiction. I prefer to read to learn and gain knowledge. But I'm not opposed to fiction, and it can help increase knowledge and information indirectly. I don't really read books very often though. I usually read to learn from the internet.

My partner prefers to read fictional novels primarily. She has loads of books and loves purchasing new ones often.

[intjistp]

I read non-fiction and fiction only very rarely (M.Atwood lately).

[SoundofSilence]

I would say non-fiction, but I do like fiction books like 1984; not the LOTR and Harry Potter kind of fiction.

[Meegs]

My bookshelf is mostly stacked with Sci-Fi/Fantasy novels. Recently I have begun reading more Psychology, Philosophy, and History books though.

[krisl]

I prefer fiction, especially mysteries and humor.

[Grimace]

	Originally Posted by holdyourhead To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Non-fiction. I prefer to read to learn and gain knowledge. But I'm not opposed to fiction, and it can help increase knowledge and information indirectly. I don't really read books very often though. I usually read to learn from the internet. My partner prefers to read fictional novels primarily. She has loads of books and loves purchasing new ones often.

I'd argue that you can learn as much from good fiction as from non-fiction. But yeah, I like both.


I do like fiction more, though. Though crazy amazing things do happen in real life, I much prefer the limitless possibility of fiction.

[PRBori]

I'm a non-fiction type of gal. I rather read to learn than read to have fun. I guess I have the same approach as I have towards TV. If it doesn't teach me something, then its a waste of time.

However, being a mother, that tends to change a bit and although I tend to buy educational books for my little one, I'm also getting fictional books for her, specially the American Girls collection. So I'm getting into them a bit. They are simply very interesting to read.
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[Vogon Poet]

	Originally Posted by Paul Siraisi To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	What I can no longer tolerate is bad fiction. Considering how much of that there is, I've pretty much given up on it. History, on the other hand, is pretty much uniformly awesome.

+1

[holdyourhead]

	Originally Posted by Grimace To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I'd argue that you can learn as much from good fiction as from non-fiction. But yeah, I like both.

I disagree, but do agree that you can learn a lot from good fiction indirectly (as I said in my other post). I wasn't referring to non-fictional "stories" when I said I prefer to read non-fiction. I was referring to strictly focusing on educating oneself by reading information about things. It's near impossible for there to be as much to learn from something which is a fictional story covering a limited range of topics but where the main purpose is to tell a story or series of events, as there is to learn from just reading pure factual stuff with no story telling thrown in. You can fit so much more knowledge and information into the same amount of space when you cut out the story.

I do like stories however, but not particularly into reading them unless it's non-fiction. I do like to read about current and historical events, but for fictional stories I would rather watch it in film. Overall, my point is I prefer to read about how things work, the way things are, or things that have happened or are happening, etc. Think "encyclopedias", "guides" and other material that is for the purpose of education, increasing knowldge and skills, and not so much the material for story-telling.

I find I really struggle to get into reading stories in printed form. I do much prefer to watch a film if I want to experience a story. With a printed story I find I forget half of what I'm reading, don't really take it in properly, and don't like the simply massive amount of time it takes to read an entire book and process all of the information. Perhaps this has some connection with my inability to socialise.

[Lunammi]

Mostly fiction.

[Grimace]

Originally Posted by holdyourhead To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I disagree, but do agree that you can learn a lot from good fiction indirectly (as I said in my other post). I wasn't referring to non-fictional "stories" when I said I prefer to read non-fiction. I was referring to strictly focusing on educating oneself by reading information about things. It's near impossible for there to be as much to learn from something which is a fictional story covering a limited range of topics but where the main purpose is to tell a story or series of events, as there is to learn from just reading pure factual stuff with no story telling thrown in. You can fit so much more knowledge and information into the same amount of space when you cut out the story. I do like stories however, but not particularly into reading them unless it's non-fiction. I do like to read about current and historical events, but for fictional stories I would rather watch it in film. Overall, my point is I prefer to read about how things work, the way things are, or things that have happened or are happening, etc. Think "encyclopedias", "guides" and other material that is for the purpose of education, increasing knowldge and skills, and not so much the material for story-telling. I find I really struggle to get into reading stories in printed form. I do much prefer to watch a film if I want to experience a story. With a printed story I find I forget half of what I'm reading, don't really take it in properly, and don't like the simply massive amount of time it takes to read an entire book and process all of the information. Perhaps this has some connection with my inability to socialise.

I knew what you meant. I just wasn't only considering "facts" in the 'things one can learn from reading,' and was referring to the overall, the net potential for things learned, taking all the things one can learn into account (including facts), and arguing that you can learn as much if not more from fiction than from non-fiction, including encyclopedias. For example, have characters with encyclopedic knowledge in a work that also encompasses a profound examination of human nature and a vast, seemingly limitless, array of metaphor (re: infinite jest). I honestly think the "story" is where the teaching resides. But, yes, we do still disagree. :D

And just for the record: when you say you'd rather watch stories in film, what you mean is you don't like fiction writing (I think), because though they both have "stories," they are very different from one another.

[hamlet9]

Fiction; I also enjoy reading drama and poetry. However, I'm very picky and really only read the classics. Bad writing infuriates me.
The non-fiction works I own are mainly for reference.

[Tourist]

I like both but when it's fiction,it's always science fiction.

[waba1098]

My personal preference is mostly non-fiction but, boy do i love Isaac Asimov.

[TrueLagoon]

Fiction. Non-fiction generally just isn't stimulating enough for me.

[WinterSolstice]

I read non-fiction, I watch fiction.