The Joy of Books
The soft turn of a page . A weight sitting in your hands . ������������������������������������������������������ or hours , you can escape into a world entirely your own . This is the joy of a book . Something so simple , yet full of wealth . Charles Schribner , Jr said ; “ Reading is a means of thinking with another person ’ s mind ; it forces you to stretch your own ”. Such a simple thing ��� �� ������ ������ ��� ������� ������ ����� ���� ���������� experiences , and imagination of others .
I was taught from a young age that books were one of the most important things in my life . My Nonna was an educated woman and believed everything could be learnt from literature . My Mother and Father are avid readers , and our family time consists of cuddling on the couch with our books . Joy that literature can bring has been with me forever , and some of my favourite memories revolve around stories . There is nothing quite ��������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� that captures you , and the last chapter that holds you . The joy of a book is feeling everything through words . It ’ s sharing emotions with characters and shedding a tear when their story ends . It ’ s the smile that the words put on your face or the frown .
For many though , books are time-consuming . Not worth the effort . Is this you ? Plenty of people around me do not share my love for literature . They ’ re intimidated .
Books are perceived in a negative light . I get told I ’ m ‘ boring ’ or there ’ s ‘ no point in reading books . How are they going to help you in the future ?’ Not many have had the chance to unlock the joy and the wisdom that books bring . This can be many things , most of the time , lack of interest .
We are in the age of modern technology . We can do and access most things via the internet with the touch of a button . Instead of a book , you can read on your phone , or listen to an audiobook that is conveniently always in your pocket , read information from a news article , an advertisement on youtube , the receipt of your online shopping spree . Books are becoming less popular with my age group . I fear soon we will no longer need to depend on libraries and bookstores for information and reading material . Neil Gaiman says , “ I see libraries and librarians as frontline soldiers in the war against illiteracy and the lack of imagination ”.
Imagination is at an all-time low . Information is given to us , facts are shoved down our throats . Imagination is frowned upon . “ Get your head out of the clouds , start thinking about reality , not fantasy ”. Creativity won ’ t get you far in a world which applauds science and factual thinking . This would all change if society started to change their ideas about books .
I wonder what the world would be like if more people read books . When I think of knowledge , I think of books . Forbes , a successful business magazine , mentions in articles the importance of reading . Many articles mention the importance of reading to help you grow your mind , and how famous CEO ’ s incorporate reading into their busy lives . Sundar Pichai , CEO of Alphabet , shows how reading is a big part of business owner ’ s morning routines . Sundar , after waking at 4:30am , always reads either a book , or a newspaper . Finding time for a book in the morning allows you to clear your
mind . It allows you to focus and fully prepare yourself for the day to come . For Sundar , reading a book or a newspaper in the morning is his way of meditating . It is very common for successful business owners to bring a book with them to work , whether it be for business purposes or entertainment . Forbes writes , ‘ There is always some space left for a book in our working bag ’.
“ Reading forces you to be quiet in a world that no longer makes place for that ” according to John Green , a famous author .
Books encourage you to enjoy silence , your own company . Being alone in the modern world is seen as something to be feared , it ’ s discouraged . Books challenge the idea that you have to be in a crowd to enjoy yourself . They show you a new world and introduce you to the joys of being alone . There is nothing better than curling up on an armchair with a book . You are faced with yourself and have time to truly think about who you are , how you feel when the house is quiet and you ’ re left alone to your thoughts , and the small daily pleasures , like making a cup of coffee . Books help you become truly comfortable with yourself , and the pleasure of silence .
I encourage you to read a book . Even to visit your local library or bookstore , and browse through the shelves . ������������������������������������������������������� page or two , read something you ’ re interested in . The world of books awaits you , you just have to turn the �����������
Victoria Stobart Year 12
Annabel Williams Year 12
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