The Reading Habit: the what and how of it all

Reading is good. But what to read? And how to read. Because there is so much to read.

The Bookworm - Carl Spitzweg 

What to read comes more easily to some. In some families, most enjoy reading. So each new member gets the habit.  Seeing adults reading for pleasure, the child imitates them even before learning to read, even holding a book, upside down, perhaps. In some families, if at all there are books, no one touches them. They are for show. But even these collectors of books are rare. Beyond books bought to pass an exam, there may be no other form of literature in the house. Some households have religious books but even in this scenario, few are those who actually read the scriptures. 

Not all those who merely collect books but rarely read them are unworthy cases. There is the famous Tsundoku and most of this set that I have met have merit. Somehow, just owning the right books makes a difference. However, most of the benefits of that mode can more easily and beneficially be obtained in another manner. 

Identify, first, what people say are good books to read. This is easy today: Type best books to read in the box on your search engine page and you will get many suggestions. Most will repeat certain books. Thus, you will soon see which books many say need to be read in a lifetime. 

But can you read so many books? 

Reading will never become a habit where reading speed is low. Here is a way to test your speed: Free Reading Speed Test. 

Once your eyes are trained to spend time with words, the brain automatically kicks into gear in time to make sense of what you read. And soon your eyes will pick out what is important in text as you skim over pages like the bird diving in and out the flower to extract honey. You will note that people who love reading do not find it difficult to consume books and, in no time, finish one and hunger for another.

Often, what stops people from reading in the first place is the question: why should I read? In fact, in many regions of the world, most families are illiterate and poor. In such a situation, it appears normal to consider reading a waste of time that should be spent doing something useful. Alas, such a consideration does not take into account the fact that books tell you all you need to know about almost anything. Reading provides you with all kinds of information about the world. Good books are like libraries or encyclopedias and give you a glimpse of the most important thoughts in the world. 

And, if you learn to love books, you are never really alone. What is more, reading makes you a more interesting person.

If you need a nudge, try Writer Rites on Facebook where I have curated some literary gems. You can also find such a feed on my Twitter account.   

Happy Reading, friends!