Is it possible to get too involved

[valerie_oliva]

Is it possible to get too emotionally involved with a book? I first realized that I tend to get too emotionally involved when I read 'Discipline' by Paco Ahlgren. Toward the end of the book I was so concerned that I talked to my English teacher about it. I told him I was depressed for no reason and couldn't get out of this slump, he asked about the book I've been glued too and told me I won't snap out of it until I finished it and was able to move on and detach myself from it. Now I m careful not to let myself get so involved, but sometimes I can't control it.

[gali]

Of course it is. One of the signs of a good book is its ability to grab the reader.

[AmandaR]

I agree with gali. That is a sign for a well-written book. I have always had problems with good books like that interfering with work though. Not good. :/

[npandit]

I think it's a normal thing to happen.

There have been studies that show that even if you smile for the majority of the day, it can improve your mood; if you frown a lot it can make you feel terrible. I've also heard of actors that get really depressed when playing sad roles, and so it would make complete sense that if you read something sad all day, it can affect your mood.

I'd probably recommend reading something cheerful in the mean time to counter this effect.

[monimarie88]

There have been countless times that ive had to take a break fro. A good book, due to its ability to consume my emotions and thoughts for DAYS. It can be very difficult to distance ourselves when we so deeply form bonds with these worlds and characters. I believe this shows not only the authors gift but the readers capability to completely fall into the world the author has created. The connectiin we can form with the author, the characters, the place, and also others who have read the boom...I find it very exciting

[valerie_oliva]

Well I'm happy that it's not just me i'm not typically around others who love to read as much as I do, so it's hard to find people who understand. Thanks npandit I do try to read more uplifting books to reverse my emotions. AmandaR I have that problem with work too! I worked at a call center and when all I can think about is my book it can become extremely distracting.

[erasmus]

When it's a good book, I become emotionally invested and when it comes to an end, I can wallow in misery if it's a tragedy, or ride on the high for hours on end if it's an epically moving story, or a thrilling read.

[Paul_metto]

Its inevitable not to get emotionaly atached with a good book because of two reasons
1) a good book should succesfully place you at the centre of the plot and make you a virtual participant in the plot development.
2) our brains cannot differenciate between real and virtual events when fully engrossed thus a greater possibiliy to assume what you are reading to be real, thus emotional atachment.