Books are life. Books are great. Books made me --not like I have reached that point in my life though (laughs).

Well, you'll agree to a large extent that the above are common remarks about the power of books -- one we are all so familiar with. What is this thing about books anyway?

Every time I read, I take on new knowledge and the experiences of others. Some times I don't get to experience some things before I know what to do if confronted with the same situation. The reason been that in books I had become familiar with such events.

Do you know, I even learn about some human characters and cultures through works of fiction.

Agreed, the reason some of us don't read is because we think we don't have that time. But consider this for a moment: we create time to eat, we create time to engage with friends and colleagues, we create time to do personal stuffs. No doubts we learn something in all of these activities. But would you think this would be anywhere compared with reading books --I mean reading widely?

Think about that.

I am not saying here that some people do not get exposed just by interacting with others; but I'm saying that with some time dedicated to reading, they will certainly have an edge.

The mind is the fastest and easiest way to get a person improved. It is equally the easiest means by which a person can be corrupted. Every action, whether positive or negative, stems from the mind. One of the ways in designing what the mind gives out is dependant upon what we feed it with the most. A mind that is always fed positive information, dole our positive behaviour; a mind that is constantly been exposed to negatives things, would give negative results.

Reading allows the mind to use virtually all the senses almost at the same time. Through the art of reading, we form images in the mind's eye, and considering that we are often alone at such moments, we get to express ourselves sincerely in terms of how we feel about the content been read -- much unlike how we would react under the same circumstance if we were interacting with others on the same subject. What this means is our opinion about the content we read is unbiased when alone as against expressing ourselves in the company of others.

This is what reading does. And it takes extra discipline, extra energy, extra perception,

...to really READ.


You do not expend the same energy in interacting.

Every piece of writing is the author's idea or experience, the experience of others, or a product of research.

Whereas some of us pick a book or go through an article out of sheer interest, some of us just must have sufficient enough reasons before we get our brain involved in any kind of reading at all. And in the case of the later, we can become easily distracted. And the result is going through life in much the same way since nothing new is added by way of personal enlightenment. This can be very dangerous.

Physical things mattered though, but they do not matter as much as the mental things. Ever wonder how easy it is to change people once you can change their mindset? Books have the power to change our mindsets.

I know this because I have read couple of books myself, and this has helped to change my thinking and perception of certain matters, as well as gave me an enriched outlook to life. And I have a friend who never saw the four walls of a school but who nurtured his deep interest in reading, and I would say has a great personality.

For those who have a habit to read, we notice similar things: overtime our attitudes and personalities begins to change for the better -- especially if we're reading positive books. By positive books, I mean books which helps us discover ways of adding values to ourselves and our world.

But, how do you get the best out of a book?

Every writer has a voice. And no matter how similar the subject matter in two books may seem, the authors would have expressed themselves from two very different perspectives.

It is up to you the reader to make out the silent voice --that inherent message --of the writer. Beyond all the jargons of paragraphs and pages, what message is the writer passing to you? Is there a need in your life that demands such a message?

If there is, are you ready to follow the suggestions given by the writer? And how committed are you to stick to the recommendations? Books are all about improving ourselves. And even where they were entertaining, there would always be something to learn from them.

Books on biographies helps us to learn from individuals, and how they succeeded or failed; books on history helps us see how certain actions could bring about certain occurrences; books on self improvement would help us mirror our own strengths and weaknesses; most blog articles are about a writer's experiences or know-how, and we equally learn from them.

The benefits of reading are huge.

Making a culture of reading is the best thing anyone can do; and reading with a purpose is even very important.

The more the mind knows, the more the mind can think up for itself. The power of the written words is evident in the picture it builds up in the mind. This is even more possible where there is concentration.

All you need to read a book or an article, is the decision to do so, as well as the time to devout to such task.

At every point in time, we are always comparing events of peoples lives as to whether they will be an advantage or disadvantage in our own lives should that event occur. We learn from peoples mistakes by readong about them to avoid making same ourselves. Or, it could be that we are learning new discoveries or skills which would add values to us. This is part of the benefits of reading books.

Do you or not agree with this article? Is reading important to you?