I came across this statement, "People need stories more than bread itself. They tell us how to live and why." At first I thought it a little over the top. I mean really, food is pretty darn important to life. But then again, have you ever been in the middle of a great book and you just can't stop reading long enough to eat? I have. It was a great trade off, I much preferred reading to eating. I did that with a whole series once, lost a bit of weight. It was great.
But the more I thought about the quote the more it made sense.Stories aren't just for entertainment, though that's not a bad thing. Even if it's not a fable or allegory or even a mathematical story problem, stories teach us. They teach us of choices and consequences, of universal themes such as trust, betrayal, hope and determination. Stories teach us who we are.
Every book that I love, that I want to hug and make a part of me has taught me something about myself, about what I would do in certain situations, about what I'm willing to put up with, and what I think most important.
Do you think stories help teach us how to live? Do you like them more than food?
I read a saga when I was about 14 that I wasn't supposed to read. I can't remember the title. It was about a woman born in a brothels in the 1600 in the UK and her love affair with a highwayman called Innocence Paradine. Her name was Glory. I can almost tell you word for word the plot even though it was over 50 years ago. That's the impact that novel had on me, and still does. I've done searches trying to find it, but to no avail. It changed my life. I tried to ignore the fact it moved me deeply, and so it wasn't until I read Bleeding Heart by Marilyn French that I knew I wanted to write. I wanted my readers to feel like I had. It would take too long to explain what both those books taught me, other than the trials and tribulations of being a woman.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how much a book can change us. For me, the first book that did it to that extent was Jane Eyre. I hope that you can find that series someday.
DeleteI have often thought that words, like food, carry some intrinsic nourishment for me. Then when you string the right words together, it really leaves a lasting impression. (Now if I can just get that diet-word connection thing going! ^_^)
ReplyDeleteBooks do feed our souls. If I go through a time when I can't read much I get very grouchy and unpleasant to be around.
DeleteI could say I love good food and a good story equally. Food nourishes our bodies and a good story nourishes our minds.
ReplyDeleteExactly! It's the best when we can do those together.
DeleteYES! We often listen to audio books, as a family, and I constantly refer to how well or poorly a book character handled a situation. I can cover an entire life lesson in just a few words. It is a great way to get your point across without a long lecture.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome you do that with your kids! My kids are a little young for audio books but Hubby and I love them. I can't wait to be able to share them with the kids.
DeleteIt's pretty hard to top chocolate, but stories definitely do!
ReplyDeleteThe good thing about chocolate is that you can eat it while reading. No preparation involved.
DeleteI completely agree that stories teach us about life. Even though they may not teach us how to handle things in life, per se, they teach us how to learn and live life to its fullest.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Sara!
Thanks. Yea, there are some things I've learned from books I'll never have a use for.
DeleteI could survive without chocolate (almost), but never without stories. I've learned more from them than anything else, and that's why I love to write them. I write for more than just entertainment, though entertainment is pretty cool too.
ReplyDeleteI have had to live without chocolate for a time. Much easier than living without books. Even though when I finally was able to eat it again I cried because it was just that good.
DeleteOh, yes! I could skip a few meals to read. And I have. ; )
ReplyDeleteI think any serious reader has. The series I went a whole week without eating anything other than chex mix was Outlander.
DeleteLove this post, it's so true. And yea, there have been lots of times where I've been too busy reading to eat. Or, er, book in one hand, I make a plate of macaroni (because eating with a spoon is easy), and then try to eat it without taking my eyes off the page. Cheese all down my chin...
ReplyDeleteAs long as you don't drop the cheese on the book!
DeleteHa ha! Yea, I was very glad DH was willing to cook while I was reading Outlander.
Deletesome books are yummy good, really get my emotions wrapped into the story. but on a deserted island i'd take food over a book, then write my own stories to keep from going crazy!
ReplyDeleteThat's true. Even if we don't have books we'll always have the stories in our heads.
DeleteWhat a great quote! I'd agree with it too. When I was a teenager, I would identify deeply with whatever character I was reading and start to take on their characteristics. I'm sure all that reading formed a great deal of who I am now.
ReplyDeleteVery thought provoking post!
I did that too!
Deletebetter than food? Paper doesn't taste all that great that's why we never do beyond a spit wad! I do think when we read something that can apply to our lives, maybe a lesson of some sort we think hmmm...that can apply.
ReplyDeleteLol, I've never even been tempted to make a spit wad. So many other things more appealing that can go in the mouth.
DeleteAbsolutely! Stories are as old as the planet, and they are necessary to understand life and humanity. Just look at the Bible--it's teeming with stories that give us life lessons. :)
ReplyDeleteTotal story junkie right here!
I do think stories in one form or another have been around since the beginning of time.
DeleteI like that quote. I think it's true. My children learn so much by the stories they read and I tell them. It's how we teach them.
ReplyDeleteMy parents always told us stories of our ancesters. We learned a bunch that way.
DeleteI don't love books more than food, but I sure do love them a lot. Thanks for the beautiful post. :)
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the book really. Some books I'd stop eating for. Some, not so much.
DeleteSome stories I totally love more than food! Gosh, so much so that I forget to eat while reading ;) You always have such great posts, Sara. Thanks for this! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Morgan!
DeleteI did experience forgetting to eat my snack because of getting hooked to a really good page-turner book. It was like I was in a different dimension I forgot I was supposed to eat. I didn't even feel hungry :)
ReplyDeleteStories fill us in a different way.
DeleteI also forget to eat if I'm into an awesome book. So I guess that answers that :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not proud of this, but I would always choose eating. :( And I love books. I just love eating more. But I get your point. :)
ReplyDeleteit depends on the book for me.
DeleteMy goodness Sara, I really love food and I really love books. I just couldn't choose. But in some ways, yes, books do feed me more.
ReplyDeleteThey feed different needs and I guess we concentrate on the need that's strongest.
DeleteBooks are like food for my daughter and my sons. I used to love books but I have slowed down as I am not able to remember the beginning of a book by the time I come to the end of the booK
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! I love the name of your blog.
DeleteI am totally one of those people who forgets to eat when I'm in the middle of a good story, be it book, movie, or TV show or whatever.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be a great diet? Don't eat - just entertain yourself for the next 2 weeks. No exercise required...
It would be a great diet, but probably not the healthiest.
DeleteI LOVE the books that make me forget to eat. I sign of a good story. And yes, stories are essential, I think.
ReplyDeleteThat's the best kind of story.
DeleteHey! I tagged your for the Super Sweet Award! Enjoy and claim your fame at my blog tomorrow, congrats, girl!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for thinking of me!
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