And we're back! But keep reading for more.

Back at Bing!

Me Steve and Simon packed into a cute lil Saab and drove 3 1/2 hours up to school.
Thats all i really have to say about that.

On a different note, I recently bought two new books. Yes. Books. To read. For pleasure. My goal is to cut back on computer time and really get back into the habit of reading, and the overall organization of my life. But its not like i don't read a lot online, its just a different kind of reading is all. I learn plenty, but i just don't seem to get engaged in my reading as much as id like to. Hopefully these books remedy the issue.

In the inside cover of one of the books, the author speaks about what a good book does. It's not the books ability to persuade you towards one side or another, but how much the book engages a reader. (So i just got sidetracked by about 10 different things, and even though you dont know how much time just passed, ill just pretend it was only a minute and press on. ) What is it about a "good" book or article that really engages the reader? Moreover does the author really have this objective in mind? To really ask the reader questions to which they themselves can return and answer AND another question, that's just the appeal. To do the same, then ANSWER the question the reader asked, and return the volley with a similar fashion, that is engaging. And it is with that skill that good writers shine out.

So what exactly engages us? I think one of the more obvious answers is to write about something we can relate to. But allusions to a single persons personal experience that a few readers can relate to isn't enough to cut the cake (is a lie.) An engaging author (ugh i hate repeating the same word more than once or twice) is one that can, not only dig into his own mind and put it on paper, but reach out to his audiences minds, and allow them to see for themselves what they are thinking. It shows them their point-of-view, from another point-of-view. By revealing to a reader what is hidden behind the polarized lens that is their thoughts, a single perspective, in one plane, we allow them to see the entire spectrum of perceptions that other people can have on their ideas. Once we break down the brick wall that is self-biased ideology, people begin to question themselves. By doing so, we have engaged the reader in a way that most cannot. This is what i look for in a quality book. This is what drives me to think the way i do.

Now i wonder if this can be applied to fiction books as well...

-Slater