The Great Escape

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card-
Its story is fascinating. Its characters are fascinating. It made me wonder about how people are motivated.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel-
Nuts ideas about how people deal with remorse (Nuts used in an awesome way). Got me thinking.

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling-
Basically, just made me want to be a wizard. Got my imagination going.

Huck Finn by Mark Twain-
Showed me how to relax and lay back even in the midst of stress and chaos. Helped me get through the hectic parts of junior year.

All 14 or so books of the Redwall series by -
These books are more fun than a barrel o' monkeys. Plots that make it impossible to put the book down are the essence of my love here.

Eragon series by Stephen Paolini-
Made my imagination go for the trip of a lifetime. The plot sweeps you away and you can't help but want to go on an adventure.



I've noticed that the most books are on my list due to their amazing plots and stories. What's even more interesting is that the few books that look as though they've "made a lasting impression" on me were both read recently.

This shows something important.

Books that I remember reading a long time ago are memorable due almost purely to plot. Especially the case in fictional plots that involve fantastic adventures. Maybe I read these novels as escapist literature? Is it possible that I read not to make a lasting change in my life, but rather to take a break or an "escape" from my everyday life.

I read to travel to magical lands with dragons and demons, and fight alongside elves as spells soar through the air. I read to get away from frustrations, problems, angers, and dilemmas. Reading it seems, at least for me, is a method of getting away from troubles.

Now that I think of it, I could gleam examples from characters in these books on how to help solve my problems in everyday life. But why would I want to do that? Why would I ruin something that serves so well as an escape by tainting it through connection to the problems I am running from? The escape is something I cherish. It is sacred because it is the one thing that can't be affected by anything else. If I try and use the escape to my advantage I may lose it forever. It may get sucked into my everyday life and then its primary function is gone.

But reading doesn't always have to be an escape. Sometimes you can just enjoy it for itself. Sometimes.