Will Reading Fiction, Novel Books Help Me To Self Actualize Or Is It Just A Distraction?

[100rockets]

I know how important self improvement books are and I think Leo said once that fiction books have the same effect as tv but I also read that people who read fiction claim to have a broader perspective and it helps them relate to other people and different times and cultures. Whats your opinion on this?

Also can you recommend any specific fiction books that opened your mind? something that served you on your self development journey?

[Tancrede Pouyat]

Hemingway, Shakespeare, Dickens. And, if you can speak French, Molière, Voltaire, Baudelaire, La Fontaine, etc.

Maybe you can also read Greek and Roman philosophy in English. 

All the books that form the base of religions (like the Bible) can also be great if you understand spiritual teachings, and can see through the egoism. 

I think you get the point. 

[Soulbass]

I suggest you read joseph campbell's book "the hero's journey".

I think there is a value in all form of narrative medias, but it also can be wasteful.

It can be useful to feed your subconscious mind with various medias, if you feel attracted to a specific genre/theme, at a specific moment of your life, it's probably a good idea that you do it.

Did you watched the movie "Forrest Gump" ? It's a great example of someone who experienced tones of things, and you can learn and grow from that fictional character/story.

Edited October 31, 2016 by Soulbass

[YaNanNallari]

So there are positives for reading fiction books. You might get different perspectives and understanding to several things and there is no denying that. Now while fiction books do some good there are better ways to broaden your views and understanding in other ways a lot more effectively than by reading fiction books. It's not a good idea to read fiction books if your main goal is to improve yourself in certain ways. You would rather read a book or do something else that is meant for improving yourself. To put it a different way you can learn things from tv too, but it's not the best for becoming more actualized and therefore could be considered a waste of time compared to something else.

[MaxBlank]

@100rockets I think all of the sci-fi books I used to read were instrumental in keeping me sane when I was much younger ( I did not have a good set of coping skills). It also spurned on my interest in the sciences. It did broaden my mind, giving me ideas that I surely would not have had otherwise. I strongly encourage anyone to read. I think that most notable literary works are good for people. I know am much better being a well read individual that I would be without.

I read tons of it: Larry Niven, Stephen R. Donaldson, Robert A. Heinlein, Asimov, on and on.

I read other fiction and non-fiction as well:
Jack Kerouac, London, Salinger, Poe...

The sheer weirdness of HP Lovecraft is enough to give anyone pause. 

Edited October 31, 2016 by WarPants
add.

[Pav]

Do you enjoy reading fiction?

If yes, then read it.

[100rockets]

@Soulbass Thanks for the suggestions. I didnt watch the movie but I will check it out as well as the book

[100rockets]

@YaNanNallari I agree, thats why I asked the question I read a lot of self help books I just need some more flavor

[100rockets]

@WarPants Thanks!! I will look those up. Can you recommend something that doesn't include any tragedy like blood, breaks ups or illness? even if the story has a happy ending? I want to stay away from anything negative.

[MaxBlank]

@100rockets I think much of fiction is following a character through struggle. I can hardly think of life, or fiction, without some problems or suffering.

I did a little Google for you and found a good (it is a big list anyway) list on this link: http://www.positivelygoodreads.com/my_reviews/my_book_list.html

Homepage: http://www.positivelygoodreads.com/

Best of luck.