A Basic Reason To Read

This article, "Connecting With A Book Can Do Wonders For Your Overall Being", seems to be written by someone who has no background in literature, yet expresses her profound interest in reading, in books, in thoughts and ideas, in stories. She addresses too, the difference she perceives in her personal life as a reader between popular novels and literature. Some quotes:

"...I believe in the power of stories and how they fit into our own lives. They educate us and make us aware of the tons of things we don't know.

Isaac Watts, a poet, popular English hymn writer and renowned theologian and logician, said: 'Acquaint yourself with your own ignorance.'

I'm not ashamed to admit I have a lot of acquainting to do. Watts believed reading is the most important method of self-improvement and that reading literature required a different skill than reading for pleasure.

Reading a good novel is like listening to a story you've waited a long time to hear. Sometimes the language and descriptions warm your soul enough that you can enter a new world through imagination. Good stories give your mind a chance to travel to a new world.

Literature, on the other hand, has to be studied, analyzed and evaluated...I'm relieved that Watts believes deep thinkers don't need to be geniuses, that studious thought, along with the exercise of your own reason and judgement, are all that are needed to attain understanding and improvement."

A little less intimidation for us regular folk.