Linoka Chisho
“What an astonishing thing a book is. It's a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you're inside the mind of another person, maybe somebody dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, an author is speaking clearly and silently inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic." ― Carl Sagan
With technology, instant gratification has become the name of the game. While it has made life easier, more enjoyable and more accessible, it has also enslaved many to a cycle of dopamine hits that is constant. In this fast-paced world that we live, an article on reading might seem boring and out of touch. However, I can make a strong case for it, as reading has changed my life for the better.
One significant thing about reading and a good reason to start reading is that it can also provide those dopamine hits; however, it requires more patience, dedication, and often some writing. Reading exposes you to diverse perspectives, enhances your vocabulary and comprehension and most importantly it develops your ability to think critically and in articulating your thoughts more clearly. So, in the process of reading, you simultaneously develop various other skills. To help you start with reading or to make it more beneficial, I’d like to share few suggestions that have worked for me:
1. Start small: I have encountered many people who believe that reading is a herculean task or an expensive hobby but it doesn’t have to be. The key is to start small and easy. Begin by identifying a genre that spikes your interest—whether its fiction, non-fiction, poetry, drama. Do some research and pick a book that does not exceed hundred pages; in fact, you can even start with a fifty-page book. It is crucial that you start with something that genuinely interests you. You also don’t have to go all out and purchase all of the books that entice you because when it comes to books the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” is particularly relevant and applicable. Seek recommendations from avid reads or conduct your own research to select a book or two. If you are still unsure of committing to this hobby, consider borrowing from a library or a friend.
2. Choose quality over quantity: If the books we’re reading doesn’t wake us up with a blow to the head, what are we reading for? A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us. That is my belief.” - Franz Kafka
I understand that book choices can be subjective; however, regardless of the genre one prefers, it is essential to occasionally read books that are thought provoking, perspective- shifting and revelatory or mind expanding. It is worth noting that thought provoking books will often not be found on the front shelves of your favorite bookstore. Instead, they maybe tucked away somewhere in a corner waiting to be picked up and consumed. The next great book could also be waiting to be discovered on your Amazon wish list recommendations or Goodreads recommendations—keep an eye out!
3. Read slow: I think reading is best done slow. Taking your time with reading offers a deeper and meaningful engagement. When reading is rushed, readers might overlook the nuanced meaning that the writer tends to convey, or, fail to notice the beautiful convergence of vocabularies and sentence structure, or, even worse, miss the opportunity to contemplate or mull over the ideas, scenarios or experiences presented.
4. Keep track of your reading: Goodreads is one app that provided me with the positive reinforcement I needed when I first started reading, and it continues to do so. This app helps you keep track of the books you are currently reading, those books you have completed, and books you would like to read in the future. You can log this information manually or sync it with your kindle. Goodreads allows you to set a reading challenge for the number of books you aim to complete each year. Every time you finish a book, you can mark it as completed in the app. This tracking provides certain level of motivation and accountability, as well a sense of accomplishment each time you mark a book as ‘read’.
5. Explore genres: When readers confine themselves to only one genre, they limit their exposure to the diverse experiences and knowledge that other genres can offer. I was stuck with non-fiction for a long time, but I have recently begun incorporating more fiction in my readings, and it has led to an epiphany of how much I had missed. Although this a book on reading, listening to fiction on Audible with a physical accompaniment is the crème de la crème.
6. Think for yourself: There is a danger of embodying the ideologies and perspectives of other people as our own when we read without critically evaluating the content. It is crucial that any material consumed be mulled over and reflected upon before adopting it as one’s own belief or viewpoint. This is the essence of reading: we read to gain broader and richer perspectives, and these perspectives help us make informed decisions.
Reading is a timeless pastime in a rapidly changing and a fast-paced world; and its benefits far outweigh the distractions and transient pleasures of the modern world. I understand that reading might not be everybody’s preferred choice of activity but I encourage anyone willing to give it a try to do so, as the rewards of reading can be profoundly enriching and meaningful to the mind and soul.
The writer is Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and Counselling, St Joseph University.
