WARNING! Reading can do Serious Damage to Your Ignorance!
The line above is the headline of an internet meme that has a photograph of an old-fashioned library with those mobile ladders that let you access upper levels of books, books, books. It’s a clever, attention-getting way to deliver a message that is spot-on. Reading does conquer ignorance and increase knowledge, but only if you follow the basic rules.
HOW TO GET MAXIMUM BENEFIT FROM READING
There are three basic rules for deriving the maximum benefit from reading. The first rule is: READ. The second rule is: READ. And the third rule is: READ SOME MORE. Yes, that’s right—it’s as simple as that. The more you read, the more you’ll learn, and the more you’ll accomplish in life. Read everything you can get your hands on: the cereal box at breakfast, ingredients on food labels, magazines, newspapers, blogs, and books of all types.
WRITERS NEED TO BE VORACIOUS READERS
If you’re a writer, in particular, you need to read your ass off. Reading will lead you to the wellspring from which many of your ideas will flow, and you’ll get exposed to the content and style of other writers, an invaluable facet of your training. Writer’s Block? Reading is the first step to clearing it. That’s right! Just try it: if you’re faced with a blank page, transition to one that is already full of words. It’s almost contagious. After a few minutes perusing pages that are full of words, you will become afflicted in like regard, and start spewing words, and your “blank page” will no longer be blank.
“You need to read everything. Read fiction, non-fiction, magazines, newspapers. Read history, historical fiction, biography. Read mystery novels, fantasy, SF, horror, mainstream, literary classics, erotica, adventure, satire. Every writer has something to teach you, for good or ill.” —George R.R. Martin
BENEFITS OF READING
It has been said that, “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” So true! Listed below are just some of the benefits of reading.
- Strengthens the brain.
- Increases empathy.
- Builds vocabulary.
- Prevents cognitive decline.
- Reduces stress.
- Aids sleep.
- Alleviates depression.
- Lengthens lifespan
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”—Dr. Seuss
START NOW—YOU WON’T REGRET IT
As I have progressed in my quest to become a writer, the one thing I have regretted most is that I didn’t start reading sooner. I can remember entire years when I didn’t read more than a couple of books. What a waste! What a tragedy! Now I read three to four books a week, and I regret that I denied myself the pleasure and the learning experience that reading provides. I can never make up for lost time, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is that I read now, and do so on a regular basis.
Make the commitment to be an avid reader right now. Pick up a book and start reading. If you’ve got an e-reader, so much the better—it’s the most cost-effective way to amass a virtual library of every book you’ve read. And you can carry your library with you wherever you go.
So, what are you waiting for? Pick up that book now—and start reading!
PHOTO: Roman Kraft on Unsplash
Copyright © 2021 Raoul Edmund
