A Shout Out To All Who Read Literary Fiction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                         Literary fiction is the bulk of what I read, though I enjoy an occasional non-fiction, mystery, or piece of trash.  As long as it is "respectable" trash, like Shirley Conran's "Lace."

                          A recent article I read in either "The Week" or "The New Yorker" maintained that those who read literary fiction develop more empathy.  I can agree with that, being the dog whisperer of the neighborhood. with every canine breed, even the occasional pit bull, coming up to me.  I don't pay attention to the pit bulls, but I lavish love on all others who approach me.   I sometimes feel like Saint Francis of Assisi.  I am sure he would approve.

                           Of course that does not stop me from emphasizing with people, and I do.   But until this articled, I never connected empathy with literary fiction.

                              I still think empathy is something one is genetically wired for.  But literary fiction can expand upon what is already there.

                              So, darlings, the next time you are in a bookstore, avoid those George R. Martin/ "Game Of Thrones" books, and pick up some literary fiction.

                                You will be so much more enlightened and feel so much better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!