I love and appreciate books of all (or, most) forms. When I'm feeling like an easy, fun read, I'll pick up a book like "The Giver." When I feel like something deep, I'll turn to old classics like "Great Expectations." And, when I and struggling with something in my life, I'll often pick up a book like "Mere Christianity." While many books are enjoyable, they aren't all the same. Here are some reasons why literature, specifically, is a good idea to get in the habit of reading often.
1. It will expand your horizons.
Reading all sorts of books is a good thing. But reading literature, more specifically, is important. What sets literature apart from the vast majority of books out there, is that literature refers to a book that meets higher standards. Literature can be thought of as a superior option to other types of reading materials. Literary works are thought-provoking and stimulating, and often turn into classics (like works by Shakespeare, Austen, Homer, and so on). These types of books cover a variety of life issues, theoretical ideas, and quite often pose intriguing questions that the reader is encouraged to answer for himself/herself. So not only do you read a good book, you also come away with something more than you had when you started reading.
2. You will know more about the world.
Literally. Literature comes from all over the place. Not all literature is written in the US, or in England, or wherever you think it comes from. People of all walks of life, both men and women, young and old, have contributed to the hefty pool of literature we have to choose from. And we also have literature from quite some time ago. When reading books written by a variety of people for a variety of people, you may just find that your eyes are opened to new things. You can learn what a culture is/was like by reading literature that comes from/is based on that particular culture.
3. People associate reading with intelligence.
This is not to say that if you do not read, you are not intelligent...and it's also not saying that you are intelligent, simply because you read. But it is true that many people associate a person's level of intelligence with reading. For example, if you are talking to two complete strangers and one mentions he just read War and Peace, and the other states he hasn't read a book in 5 years, which one would you be more likely to think is intelligent? Come on. It's true. And it is also true that the more you read, the more you learn. So if you're reading good quality books, you will probably learn good quality things. Win/win.
4. Your creativity will skyrocket.
Okay, so this hasn't been scientifically proven or anything, but in my experience, it's true. The more often I read, the more ideas I have for my own writing or for an art project or for a new song. When I read an excellent book, it makes me want to go do something productive (and creative) that matches that book's level of beauty. After reading about a beautiful scene of a lake sitting at the edge of a forest, I want to go out and find someplace like that and photograph it. Basically, reading and creativity are very closely tied! In my opinion.
5. There are books out there for everyone.
No, "Fifty Shades of Grey" does not count as literature. And reading a graphic novel doesn't exactly count, either. But no matter what you're into, whether you're a math-lover or you can't get enough history in your life; whether you are into music or want to be an engineer, there is literature out there for you. Reading a good book, one that has substance and meaning behind it, can inspire us to do better things in the area we love. Literature helps us learn more about a subject we love, discover new things about ourselves, and feel like we belong.
Some of my top recommended pieces of literature are: "Macbeth" by Shakespeare, "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury, "Emma" by Jane Austen, and basically anything by C.S. Lewis.
What are yours?
1. It will expand your horizons.
Reading all sorts of books is a good thing. But reading literature, more specifically, is important. What sets literature apart from the vast majority of books out there, is that literature refers to a book that meets higher standards. Literature can be thought of as a superior option to other types of reading materials. Literary works are thought-provoking and stimulating, and often turn into classics (like works by Shakespeare, Austen, Homer, and so on). These types of books cover a variety of life issues, theoretical ideas, and quite often pose intriguing questions that the reader is encouraged to answer for himself/herself. So not only do you read a good book, you also come away with something more than you had when you started reading.
2. You will know more about the world.
Literally. Literature comes from all over the place. Not all literature is written in the US, or in England, or wherever you think it comes from. People of all walks of life, both men and women, young and old, have contributed to the hefty pool of literature we have to choose from. And we also have literature from quite some time ago. When reading books written by a variety of people for a variety of people, you may just find that your eyes are opened to new things. You can learn what a culture is/was like by reading literature that comes from/is based on that particular culture.
3. People associate reading with intelligence.
This is not to say that if you do not read, you are not intelligent...and it's also not saying that you are intelligent, simply because you read. But it is true that many people associate a person's level of intelligence with reading. For example, if you are talking to two complete strangers and one mentions he just read War and Peace, and the other states he hasn't read a book in 5 years, which one would you be more likely to think is intelligent? Come on. It's true. And it is also true that the more you read, the more you learn. So if you're reading good quality books, you will probably learn good quality things. Win/win.
4. Your creativity will skyrocket.
Okay, so this hasn't been scientifically proven or anything, but in my experience, it's true. The more often I read, the more ideas I have for my own writing or for an art project or for a new song. When I read an excellent book, it makes me want to go do something productive (and creative) that matches that book's level of beauty. After reading about a beautiful scene of a lake sitting at the edge of a forest, I want to go out and find someplace like that and photograph it. Basically, reading and creativity are very closely tied! In my opinion.
5. There are books out there for everyone.
No, "Fifty Shades of Grey" does not count as literature. And reading a graphic novel doesn't exactly count, either. But no matter what you're into, whether you're a math-lover or you can't get enough history in your life; whether you are into music or want to be an engineer, there is literature out there for you. Reading a good book, one that has substance and meaning behind it, can inspire us to do better things in the area we love. Literature helps us learn more about a subject we love, discover new things about ourselves, and feel like we belong.
Some of my top recommended pieces of literature are: "Macbeth" by Shakespeare, "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury, "Emma" by Jane Austen, and basically anything by C.S. Lewis.
What are yours?
No comments:
Post a Comment