This is one of the main reasons why I want to get more into fiction in 2023. I’m such a nonfiction nerd, but it is mentally exhausting because it’s so much educational/serious stuff. Idk what it is, but I have such a hard time getting into fiction. We’ll see if that changes in 2023.

I don't distinguish between education and enjoyment... unless "education" means learning something the hard way

Uh what? Why on earth would you think you’re the only one who reads for enjoyment…. People can read for enjoyment and still take issue with the plot. What a weird take.

Yes. You are the only person on the planet who reads fiction for enjoyment. In fact, you’re the first person in human history to do so. You’re a revolutionary!

I only read for enjoyment, both fiction and non-fiction.

Almost everything I read is for enjoyment, even non-fiction. I ready a lot of history, behavioral science, and true crime. None of that really helps me personally or professionally.

I think reading should be primarily for entertainment. Anything you learn is generally secondary.

yes. you’re the only one. scientists should study your brain.

Why would you think that. I read LOTR so I can educate myself on how to be a Hobbit. Isn't that what everyone does?

[removed]

I think you're confusing plausibility and believability with "real,", "factual", and "educational". Your story still needs a degree of believability for readers to buy into it. Even if you have wizards slinging magical spells at each other.

Addressing your secondary point about judging a book by its realism...some people's enjoyment of fiction depends on how believable the plot is and if the character's choices are at least justified by the rest of the story/characterisation/character development. People's thresholds are different. And when a plot/character choice and action is too way out there it just takes them out of the book; prevents the proper suspension of disbelief.

So it's not so much about enjoyment vs education, but rather how strictly plot and character development needs to justify the events in the story.

No, this seems like a very normal thing

I think that vast majority of people read for enjoyment. If you look at the best selling books, they're almost universally "light" literature. Even the books from "serious" authors that sell well are usually their most conventional ones.

It really doesn't matter. You read what you want to and, if you enjoy it, it's great.

I just want to say, not all books are how you described literature. There are books out there that are "more true" than most non-fiction or scientific books.

It’s called suspension of disbelief or as Tolkien argued a “secondary belief” — meaning it must ring true within the “secondary” reality of the fictional world but not necessarily our reality.

Usually if a question begins “Am I the only one who…” the answer is no, you are not the only one

[removed]

Very rarely a fiction book can educate someone. You are not the only one, you are the norm

If you like things with a solid base of realism, but still told as a legit "story" - try some of the historical fiction by Jeff Shaara. I like how he uses as many primary sources as he can to know the factual history of the person/event he is writing - but is also very clear that his goal is to convey the "story", so the book is indeed fiction in the conversations, combined experiences, etc. while sticking with historic events.

Some people read fiction for Entertainment

Yes. You are definitely the only person in the world who reads for enjoyment. I feel sorry for you.

The people who reviewed the book poorly didn’t connect to the character or plot, or found them frustrating to read about. It’s just an opinion… you have your own opinion, and that’s great! We all perceive art differently, and that’s why we have such a huge range of plots to consume. Sometimes it’s not worth watching critical video reviews of something you really enjoyed, or sometimes a creator just has a very different way of looking at fiction in general and you’re not the target audience.

[deleted]

Last paragraph in your post should've been the title.

Per rule 3.14 No DAE, TIL, or Unpopular Opinion type threads. The answer to any question beginning with the words 'does anybody else...' is literally always yes, and the answer to any question beginning with 'am I the only one...' is literally always no. You are far from the only reader to have come up with this idea/habit/thought and we are not here to provide you with praise or validation. These threads should be rephrased to provide significant content for discussion and less clickbait titles, or posted in their respective dedicated subreddits. You may also find what you are looking for in our FAQ.

[deleted]

Hmm, I read it to be more Elvish, but to each his own.

[deleted]