I’ll never understand people who don’t like to reading books. They’re missing out on experiences that are beyond their reach. They’re depriving themselves of different worlds, emotions, cultures, customs, truths, and growth. Simply put, they’re missing out.
Growth is critical for humans – physical, mental, emotional. Whilst we are born helpless, reliant on adults to take care of us as we grow before maturing into toddlers, kids, adolescents, teens, and finally adults. It’s a cycle that varies in longevity.
It’s sad that some people choose to remain in the one spot even when there’s opportunities abound.
We learn from our mistakes. Sometimes we learn from the people around us. Often we learn from books.
But what if you don’t read? How do you grow with patches over your eyes and being able to only see in front of you? How do you understand the world and the people in it when you aren’t willing to open up your mind to the beauty that’s out there?
I don’t think you can, not completely anyway.
Books not only teach us but also bring us together. They make up our culture, helping us learn, grow, experience, live.
Every book has something to offer.
There are those who scrunch up their nose at fiction. Some refuse to read anything but literary novels or biographies. Then there are those who stick to fantasy and sci-fi.
That’s okay.
We all have our likes and dislikes. Whether you’re reading Bill Gates or Game of Thrones, each has something to offer about humanity, community and life in general.
Occasionally, all we want is a bit of entertainment.
The Importance of Reading
The beauty in books is that the reader chooses what they take from them. The author cannot decide it. They are simply the messenger.
Whether you’re a writer or not, reading has many benefits. Including, and not limited to:
- Emotional development
- Increasing vocabulary
- Improving your knowledge in a particular area
- Develops the imagination
- Improved writing skills
- Cheap entertainment
- Expand your horizons
One of my hopes is that one day I will write something that inspires. Sometimes that opens up the minds and hearts of readers. I want to write something that will help someone grow, follow their dreams, or push themselves to work towards their goals in a positive way.
Until that day, I will keep writing fiction, I will continue meddling in non fiction, and I will definitely continue reading lots and lots of books. With that I will grow as a writer and a human being. There is no other option.
Books are the doors to a curious mind. I’m curious. I love learning new things. I just wish that curiosity translated to good communication skills. Yes, that comes with practice, and I don’t give myself a chance, or any credit for that matter. But that’s another story.
As a writer, I find it even more difficult to comprehend how writers claim to never read. How can you write a book if you never read them? It doesn’t make sense. It’s like being a chef but never going to a restaurant to try another chef’s cooking.
I try to read at least a book a week. That’s 52 books a year. It’s a good average and is easily achievable. Sometimes I read more. Rarely less. I’m on track for that in 2019 also.
I wish I could write as fast as I read. Dictation is an option but I don’t like the sound of my voice, especially when it’s recorded. But again, that’s just a matter of practice and getting used to something. Maybe one day. For now, I like when my fingers hit the keyboard and words appear on the screen.
Books hold a certain power. They’re everlasting. Now with Amazon and all the other platforms, more and more books become available worldwide. Anyone with access can read.
I believe that books can bring people together, books can change the world. We live in such a globalised world with people of different cultures, customs and lifestyles, who travel and migrate, that it’s important for us all to be a little bit more understanding. It’s ignorance that breeds hate and fear.
Books are the tools that can destroy ignorance. They can hold the power to transform our thoughts, bring us understanding of things that have never touched us, and help us live in a united world.
Yes, they’re optimistic thoughts. But they’re also true. If we open up our hearts and minds, books can teach us so much, and in turn help us become more accepting of other ways.
Of course there are two sides of every coin. There will always be good and evil. It’s our choice which side we sway towards and that includes recognising the beauty of books.
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