Prof. A.C. Grayling, in a
review of A History of Reading by Alberto Manguel had said, “To read is to fly:
it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of
history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many
inquiries.” So true! Reading is really like taking a flight to greater heights
in pursuit of knowledge. It’s a journey towards enlightenment.
Even if you have read one good book in your life, you will know what reading
gives. It gives you incomparable pleasure. Read one good book and you will know
what the joys of reading are.
Reading nourishes your mind. Reading gives you both information and knowledge
(and teaches you to distinguish between the two). You eat to keep your body fit
and working, right? Then reading is good for your mind and soul.
Reading informs you of what’s happening around, helps you remain updated about
what’s changing and not just that. Reading encourages you to think and imagine,
think out-of-the-box and imagine the impossibles. It’s through reading that you
understand that knowledge knows no bounds and the hunger for it is insatiable.
During the olden times, reading was limited to just books, only books. Today, we
have the Internet housing so much information, hosted on thousands of websites.
We have booked online and e-book readers that make reading them easier.
The web, our new storehouse of information is just a click away. But this, in no
way has stolen the magic of reading books, the sound of their pages’ flutter and
their smell, you can curl up with a book, but with an e-book reader or your
computer? You possibly can’t! Be it through any medium, reading is important.
We learn to read and write at a pretty early age. Our first encounter with
reading is probably when we are read out to, from story books remember those
bedtime stories? We begin learning the alphabet, the basic math, we read fun and
fascinating facts about animals, plants and the universe. We ask ‘whys’ and
how’s. In books, we find their answers. Textbooks accompany us all through
education; starting from school right through higher studies.
We learn to read, then read to learn and keep reading to keep learning, to gain
knowledge and remain with the world. It’s only through reading that we gain
exposure to information from different sources. The latest developments in
technology, advancements in science, breakthroughs in different fields, the
inventions, discoveries, product launches, movie reviews, celebrity gossip,
changing political scenarios; just everything around us can become knowledge,
only through reading.
Given that reading is the means to gain knowledge, it’s important to inculcate
the habit of reading right from childhood. You know what role bedtime stories
play in a child’s life? Research says that reading something just before going
to bed helps the child feel secure and more comfortable while sleeping. So, get
children into this habit of reading, bring them good books and help them
understand the joys books hold.
This habit will go a long way, in making them better human beings. “To acquire
the habit of reading is to construct for yourself a refuge from almost all the
miseries of life.” - W. Somerset Maugham
Children who grow up reading good books, definitely stand out. The way they
think and act is way different from those who have never been exposed to
reading. Reading not only adds to their general knowledge but also shapes their
personalities.
Reading has a great positive impact on one’s life. Reading good books is
important during the formative years of a child’s development. It’s during
childhood and teenage years that reading inspiring stories can have a deep
impact on a child’s mind.
If, during these years of a child’s life, books become his companions, the child
develops the hobby of reading and grows up to be more versatile than he would
have without reading. Teenage is the phase when one is easily influenced by
whatever he is exposed to. If inspirational stories and life experiences are
read during these years, they can change a person for the better. They stay with
him and keep encouraging him to achieve his goals and choose right against the
wrong.
Reading keeps us occupied. Reading leads to a fruitful use of time. It helps us
get rid of worries. Yes, reading is a great stress buster. It diverts our mind
from monotony. Books are excellent sources of recreation. Someone who loves to
read, can never get bored, as reading a book is probably the best way to get rid
of boredom. Books take you to an altogether different world, helping you relax
and rejuvenate. “The habit of reading is the only enjoyment in which there is no
alloy; it lasts when all other pleasures fade.” - Anthony Trollope
Books and the web are the richest sources of information. They cover a wide
range of topics and store an enormous amount of information. Many websites
dedicated to just information and innumerable books that flood libraries are
testimony to the fact that knowledge is bountiful. Reading leads us only to read
more in the never-ending pursuit of knowledge.
The more you read, the more developed your cognitive abilities are. The more you
read, the more creative and imaginative you become. Reading improves your
grasping skills and sharpens your analyzing and problem-solving abilities.
Reading gives you knowledge, it makes you more confident. The more you read
others’ lives and experiences, a better decision-maker you become. The more you
read, the better you get.
Grab a book you like and don’t stop reading until you reach the end, and even
after that. Read as much as you can. Reading is just so important.