In 1439 the printing press was invented, making books common. Before that, there were scrolls and codices, but from what I understand, aside from religious texts books weren’t common.
Nowadays people who prefer to be alone have tons of modern hobbies like gaming, photography, crochet, biking, podcasts, the internet in general. So I just wanted to ask; if you prefer solitude, what hobby would you enjoy if you could live in any time before books were common? (with the assumption you had a comfortable life.)
The options I thought of were: collecting something, working out, writing, wood working, gardening, hiking, some instruments, and I’m sure there’s many more.
Storytelling
I probably would have become a nun and dedicated my life to God. As such, I would be able to get a more extensive education than most women of the time and the routine of religious life would probably suit my Autism just fine.
Drawing? It is my other hobby. But also probably dressmaking, it does involve people a little for the fitting though. Whittling or similar things.
But considering I am not a man, I am not sure I would have had much choice.
I think I would probably take up cooking/organizing, maybe gardening and joining something that would give me something to occupy my time with whatever is available at that time
probably lazing around the other villagers after a full day’s work or something
This just sounds like the premise to the anime/light novel series ‘Ascendance of a Bookworm’. It’s about a woman whose sole passion in life is reading gets reincarnated in another world in which books are highly expensive and not available to the common person. I never finished it, but it starts with her basically resolving to write her own books and trying to find ways to publish them cheaply so that they can be popularly available.
You spent most of your time trying to survive.
I’d like to think I’d be like the main character in “Reincarnated in another world as a bookworm” or whatever the ridiculous long title is of that anime lol. She essentially learns how trade works, learns to create paper, sells it, then learns to create books, etc. Because no one had them and if they did they were super pricey and only the church had them.
Embroidery ♥️ / cooking/ fishing/ gardening/ quilting
My hobby would probably be trying not to die cause health was not really a thing and everyone died at like 50 also a lot of wars and if it’s cold outside I’m done I need heat.
Gardening! It’s my new hobby this year and it helped my mental health so much. I also had wonderful bonding and educational experiences with my 4 year old grandson. We learned together. It was truly amazing.
Probably hunting or woodworking
staring at the wall
staring at a beach
Depends how far before books we’re talking about. If we’re talking before bounded books but there was the written language more accessible for all/most, then I’d go on long walks and just write down my thoughts in random pieces of parchment. If before books but also before writing was widespread, then I guess just long walks.
If I lived before books were common, I might enjoy indulging in hobbies such as collecting rare items, engaging in woodworking, exploring the art of gardening, or perhaps dedicating time to playing musical instruments. I could see myself finding solace in activities that allow for introspection and creativity, shaping my personal sanctuary in a world yet to be influenced by the widespread availability of books.