A text by Judith Turcotte
Can one become addicted to reading? I believe so. You may not be an avid reader, perhaps an occasional one. However a book of fiction or non-fiction opens our minds, reduces our stress and so much more.
Readers have higher empathy, better social ability. They gain the ability to see things from someone else’s point of view and this empathy helps you interact more effectively with people around you. We are unfortunately in a “Me, Myself and I” world. We are busy and so wrapped up in our lives, we often do not take the time to communicate with others. In reading you delve into other lives and experiences. Reading improves our mental health and gives us a better perspective and a clearer understanding of human nature. The more you read, the more you increase your vocabulary. As I mentioned in a previous blog, books are food for the soul. I have taken the liberty of choosing several quotes on reading which could interest you.
Some read to think-these are rare, some to write, these are common; and some read to talk, and these form the great majority. CHARLES CALEB COLTON, Lacon (1825)
While thought exists, words are alive and literature becomes an escape, not from, but into living. CYRIL CONNOLLY, The Unquiet grave(1945)
I have never known any distress that an hour’s reading did not relieve. MONTESQUIEU, PENSÉES DIVERSES (1899)
Last but not least, we all know what we love and what we detest reading. There are so many books to choose from. Just enjoy.
In conclusion, I believe reading is a necessary addiction.
I have just made requests to the library for by Andrew Scott and by David Sampson, both books for those who like to think about what is going on in our world. Other essential reading for those of us ‘who are up there in age’ is by Atul Gawande, which is already at the Library.
For lighter reading the library has a good number of Alice Munro stories.
Happy reading
Those books are THE LONGEVITY IMPERATIVE and OUR TRIBAL FUTURE, and give lots to think about.
BEING MORTAL, MEDICINE AND WHAT MATTERS IN THE END, by Atul Gawande