How many books did you read last year? Do you even know?
Reading is a common hobby claimed by people all over the world, and always has been. However, I have noticed that many American adults do not read often, or even at all. It could be that because many parents do not read themselves, children are not raised with a love of reading anymore. Or, it could be that reading feels somewhat uncomfortable for many. It occurs to me that reading novels one would not usually choose by force in school, could make reading an unpleasant experience. (Even though a lot of the required reading is comprised of amazing books! - Tell that to a teenager who does not see the value in reading them though!)
Luckily, I was not raised with a hatred of reading! My parents are both avid readers. I grew up in a home filled with hundreds, perhaps even thousands of volumes. In fact, according to my mother, the nigh they met; my parents first discovered a common love for a series of books which the talked about all night. Both myself and my sister have read those books, and they are amazing!
It has been said that the world's most successful people all claim the pastime. Bill Gates is said to read approximately one book a week, around 50 books a year. Mark Cuban claims to read an average of three hours per day.
The average American however, depending on the source, reads anywhere from 4 to 12 books per year. Even if 12 books is the average, that's only one book per month. The argument that there is no time to read, is ridiculous. If there is time for video games, television, or scrolling social media there is time for reading! Today, we do not even need to carry books wherever we go. A kindle device, or app on your phone can hold any number of eBooks.
An Audible subscription, (my ultimate favorite way to read these days!) offers FREE books to read by selection every month, and the chance to download a book by credit every thirty days. Many people even choose to listen to audiobooks while they drive or take care of household chores. As I type this post, I am currently listening to one of my pleasure books. (If you're curious, it's Outlander by: Diana Gabaldon. I enjoy the television series, so the books were my next logical choice.)
There is an obnoxious belief among some readers that reading is only valuable if certain things are read over others. Personally, I think that is horseshit. Reading the classics, obviously has merit. Reading self-help books makes introspection and change almost necessary for the reader. But, I don't care whether you read Pride and Prejudice, Think and Grow Rich, or Fifty Shades of Grey you are doing one thing that most people aren't. You are reading. The only argument that I have to that cause is that variety is the spice of life. Read a variety of different genres, read more than three different authors, and learn.
Reading has been proven to be beneficial to both mental and physical health. It has been noted that reading fosters deeper empathy, better cognitive ability, and higher vocabulary. Reading also teaches us anything that we could want to know. If you want to build a house, there are hundreds of books on the subject. If you want to become a world-class chef, there are hundreds of books written on that subject too.
One of the best things that the growth I have been experiencing has brought me is more books to read. Most of which are on the topic of self-help. I've learned so much about myself, and how to handle the world around me just because of reading such books. One in particular, Manifesting on Purpose by: Amanda Rose, introduced the concept of The Law of Attraction to me. This, in particular, is something that I am striving to implement in my daily life. Another book, Unfuck Yourself, by: Gary John Bishop opened my mind to the idea that the way I thought about certain things, was putting me in a position in life that I did not like, and the only way to change that was to change my own mind.
As of today, I have finished one book so far this year. That one was read purely for pleasure, and I am currently reading four different books. Two are for pleasure, and two are for my own growth. I expect to have them all finished within the next few weeks, and have several already planned for the rest of the year.
To say that reading is boring, is a lie. There is a saying that goes, "there is a pot for every lid" and I would argue that there is a book for every reader and and every person can find something that they will benefit from as well as enjoy.
What book are you reading now? And what books are you looking forward to reading in the future?
Comments