When Reading is a Need: Read On

Summary

The author discusses their personal journey with reading, transitioning from viewing it as a chore to a necessary activity for intellectual nourishment, and shares their reading habits, preferences, and rituals.

Abstract

The author of the article, who initially found reading to be a tiresome task, has developed a deep-seated need for it, akin to the need for food when hungry. This transformation has led the author to incorporate reading into various aspects of their daily life, including listening to audiobooks during chores, workouts, and commutes, and reading eBooks and physical books. The author's reading list primarily consists of self-help books and literature related to their profession in teaching and training. They do not adhere to a strict reading ritual, preferring the flexibility to read at any time of the day, though they favor mornings. The author has enjoyed novels in the past but now focuses on books that contribute to personal and professional growth, mentioning several titles they have found impactful. The article concludes with the author expressing their commitment to continue reading and inviting recommendations from readers.

Opinions

Reading is essential to the author's intellectual well-being, comparable to the necessity of eating for physical sustenance.
The author values the tactile experience of holding a physical book despite also using eBooks and audiobooks.
There is a preference for books that enhance personal development and professional knowledge, with a particular interest in self-help and educational topics.
The author enjoys rereading books that resonate deeply, citing specific titles that have influenced them.
The author sees reading as a way to avoid the stress of crowded tourist spots while traveling.
The author is open to receiving book recommendations and is actively seeking new reading material.

I am not a natural reader.

Reading is like breathing to me. Of course, it wasn’t at first. Initially, reading was an arduous chore that I would want to avoid after a long day at work.

Now it isn’t anymore. I can’t say I enjoy reading. I would rather say “I need to read”, just like “I need to eat” when hungry. I read when my intellect is hungry.

If I could see myself when I was reading, I believed I was glowing in faint blue light, as the words would float in the air and wait to get absorbed into my mind. They are the fuel for my intellect, guiding me to become a better version of myself.

The books I read.

I listen to audiobooks when I do morning chores or when I am working out in the evening. I even play audiobooks when I drive to work. As driving a car becomes automated, I want to spare a little of my attention to read. I have an eBook app and use it occasionally because, in the end, I still like the feeling of holding a book in my hands.

I read many self-help books and topics related to my profession — teaching and training. I read a bunch of books about learning, too.

The reading journey so far.

I have read novels like “The Twilight Saga” and “The Millennium Trilogy”. I stopped reading novels since I started my business.

I made sure to pack one or two books while traveling. Instead of going to a tourist spot and getting annoyed by the crowd, I read.

I could read fast or slow, depending on the content. Some books are written so well that I have reread them several times, including:

Once a reader, always a reader.

I will continue to read, for sure. I am looking for more books to read, preferably in self-help or related to teaching and learning. Have some recommendations? Great, leave me a comment and let me know!

This is a freewriting prompt by Ellie Jacobson for Flint & Steel, if you love to get more ideas about writing, follow the publication!

When Reading is a Need: Read On

I am not a natural reader.

The books I read.

My reading ritual.

The reading journey so far.

Once a reader, always a reader.