I Am A Reader Update: April 2023

Did you get to either of our special I Am A Reader In Conversation events with authors Clare Harvey (Beeston Library) and Mahsuda Snaith (Mansfield Central Library) in March?  We all really enjoyed ourselves – what could be better than a lovely friendly chat about books! 

Both sessions debated the question “Is Reading Creative?”, something we’ve been exploring with our I Am A Reader project.  You might not have ever thought of this before, but although the writer has done the initial act of creating the story, how readers view a scene will depend on their own life experience.  As one person put it, “You’re the one that feels the emotions as the reader, the writer doesn’t feel the emotions for you.” 

We also found out that readers visualise what they are reading in different ways.  Some create the scenes and the characters in their heads, others don’t picture what’s going on but can still get completely lost in it, others hear a ‘narrator’ while yet more people experience the emotions of the character.  Fascinating and all ways of reading are equally valid!

And people also read for different reasons. One participant said “One of the reasons I want to read is to be challenged. Books can change something within you as you’re reading.” Others disliked titles that were too depressing, and instead “You might want the escapism or the hope.”   Why do you like to read?

If you’d like to take part in an I Am A Reader workshop, our next event is with author Eve Makis at West Bridgford Library on Thursday 25th May at 6.30 pm.  Tickets are £5 each, book here to ensure your space!

Have your say about reading by completing our I Am A Reader questionnaire.