"There is no friend as loyal as a book." – Ernest Hemingway
Reading books was a way for people to acquire knowledge and have fun a few decades ago. There were less diversions in those days than there are today. I am unaware of the number of people who like to read books at the moment. It is commonly believed that our reading habits have changed. There is a decline in the number of people who read books.
When I am talking about reading books, I am referring to books, which include books not on your syllabus of board or university.
Why is reading so important?
Reading is an activity that is more than just a hobby or a way to pass the time. It's an essential activity that expands our minds and enriches our lives.
Reading a book is like opening a window to a whole new world. We can experience different perspectives, cultures, and emotions through it. We can learn from the characters' triumphs and mistakes, gaining the wisdom that we can apply in our own lives.
It will be interesting to know how reading a book influenced Mahatma Gandhi.
The following is as Mahatma Gandhi's quote," I recall having read, at the brothers' instance, Madame Blavatsky's Key to Theosophy. This book stimulated in me the desire to read books on Hinduism, and disabused me of the notion fostered by the missionaries that Hinduism was rife with superstition."
Reading is not just beneficial to the reader; it also has a crucial role to play for writers. By immersing themselves in various texts, writers can enhance their vocabulary, improve their writing style, and gain inspiration for their creations. After all, every great writer was once an avid reader.
So whether you're a passionate reader or an aspiring writer (or both!)Remember the importance of reading. It broadens your horizons and fuels your imagination. Reading opens up a world of knowledge and understanding, and books can teach you about things you would never experience in real life. It is also an important way to practice critical thinking, as you have to analyze and decipher the meaning behind each book.
Presently books are available in many formats like print books, ebooks, and audiobooks. We have easy access to them through the internet. We can carry a big library in our pocket in the digital format stored in our smart mobile phones. Many old-school readers read only printed books like paperback or hard copies. These books may be very costly and also difficult to carry everywhere. I suggest to the conservative book readers to make use of the new formats also and continue reading.
Happy reading.
About the Author
Ravi Ranjan Goswami is a native of Jhansi (UP). He is a retired IRS officer, a poet and writer. His published titles include Palayan, Asht Yogis and The Seven Shades.