Librarian's Corner
Early May 2024
I definitely don’t read as much as I did when I was younger. Surprisingly, age hasn’t given me a longer attention span when it comes to that. But when I do read, I tend to go for something in the fantasy genre.
Why fantasy? The short answer is, because it’s fun! Fantasy has always been appealing to me, from Saturday morning cartoons in my childhood right up until today—hence my love for Dungeons & Dragons, among other diversions. Who doesn’t wonder what it would be like to wield magic?
I also like fantasy because it’s so different from reality. If I want to read something realistic, I go to the news. When I’m reading for pleasure, I like to get as far away from the everyday as possible. Of course, tropes, themes, and everyday situations can happen in a fantasy world just as much as the real one, but there’s something about the fantasy that makes it more interesting to me.
Another thing I like about fantasy is that it’s ageless; it spans all ages and reading levels. When I was a kid, there were worlds like Narnia and Prydain; kids today have the likes of Harry Potter to serve as their stepping stone into the world of fantasy. There are everything from picture books to novels for adults that can take you to a fantasy realm.
If you’ve never ready fantasy before, or have it in mind that it’s just not for you, I’d encourage you to give it a try, at least once. Our Sci-Fi/Fantasy section isn’t the largest corner of the Library, but we’ve got a pretty good selection there if you’re looking to dip your toe into the world of fantasy. And that’s just the adult fiction! Even a juvenile or young adult fantasy novel can still be an enjoyable read. Let me know if you’d like some recommendations!