I made a comment on a blog. And it made a perfect idea for a post. It has to do with a "wondering" I have had, for some time. That of..... Is being a voracious reader, as great as it's 'cracked up to be?'
Sometimes, I am *rebellious* enough, to question... The Universal Rule, that we all should be reading, reading, reading. !!!! There! I said the *Un-sayable*! -grin-
Who says we always have to be finishing one book and beginning another?
Sometimes I really enjoy reading. Right now, I do not. I am no less a *so-called* intelligent, well-rounded person, for not reading books. And I am tired of the almost universal 'message,' that I/we are.
Am I the only one, who has ever questioned this almost *Universal Rule*?
Walls and walls of books, seems to make for a brilliant person. Having boxes and boxes and boxes of books, to lug with you, every time you move, seems to make for a wonderful and intelligent person.
Does only the reading of books, make a person informed?
I am not 'knocking' reading! I love it, when I have a wonderful book. And hate to see it finish, for fear of not finding another, soon.
I am just asking, if I am the only one, who has ever questioned the *Rule,* that people must be reading, reading, reading books, to be considered intelligent, wise, and to be listened to?
Your view...
Please and Thank You.
📕
❓
📕
❓ 📕 ❓ 📕 ❓ 📕 ❓ 📕 ❓ 📕 ❓ 📕 ❓ 📕 ❓ 📕 ❓
17 comments:
No I do not think you 'have' to be reading. I just happen to enjoy reading a good book. I just wish I had more time to do so.
I used to only work 186 days a year giving me summers off. Oh how I miss sitting by the pool reading.
I am an avid reader and have been since I learned to read! I consider myself well read and informed; but as far as intelligent and wise? Not particularly. I read for enjoyment but have also learned a great deal along the way! Love the grumpy bird picture by the way!
I totally agree! When I was younger, I used to read a book a day for many years. Then I got more into the computer. There is even more information online than in a book, so we can learn just as much if not more through technology. Not to mention that we are all born with a different I.Q. and different levels of curiosity. Good blogging subject, and now we won't feel so guilty for spending so much time on the computer!
Thing is (in my opinion) those that read a lot usually tend to read on a subject that interests them. Then, of course they think of themselves as "scholarly". I highly disagree. Besides what you read be it fiction or non-fiction, it's one man's (or woman's) opinion. Keep on reading when you feel up to reading. You broaden your horizons when you want to.
And reading doesn't mean books only!!!
And do the books have to be a certain type?
I am a reader. Nowadays I only read when eating lunch! (I used to read in bed, but no more.) There is only one book on my shelf that I've read and might again. Hate to part with that one: "A Man Called Ove" and it is a sad/funny story about a man who lost his wife and is trying to commit suicide but keeps getting distracted. By Fredrik Backman. Once I read a book I immediately return it, donate or give it away. I read for me, not to impress. I read to relax and don't give a hoot about being considered intelligent or wise! I have always enjoyed reading - even cereal boxes and comic books.
I never really thought about it. I just know that I love to read and always have a couple of books that I'm reading.
I know others who never read a book - to each his own I say.
I love to read but I take it in spells. Sometimes I will go months without reading a book!!! I have made it a goal to read at least 20 books this year simply because I need to learn to stay off the computer more and also relax more. I love your photo of the Grumpy Bird...absolutely love it!!!! And I always enjoy your blog. Sadly I take my blogging in spells also! I used to be such a good manager of my time but since retiring I have gotten worse and worse. But I guess with retirement you don't have to worry about time as much....just praying you still have many hours and days to go:)
I love to read - but that can't be all we do!
PS - I love that grumpy bird... :)
I like the originality of your question, but no, I have never questioned the rule. I read voraciously, although not always books per se. I love to read articles online, and I love to "sip" at my books rather than sit and read a book for hours on end (although I do that too). I just finished a long article in The New Yorker (online) about Augusta National Golf Course. Fascinating! I read it after searching online for information re: something I talked about with Audrey over Valentine's Day dinner late this afternoon. I learned so much from that article. So although I love to watch TV and movies (I learn a lot from that too), I can't say I'd ever feel that reading was not essential. My TG reads for HOURS every night. He inhales his books, from a huge stack beside his chair. I gave him two more, for his Valentine's Day present, haaaaha ... but the good news is you can do whatever you want! There are no wrong answers because it's your choice. xoxo
I am not a "reader" in the accepted way, but I often will browse something when I have a spare moment (usually non-fiction!). I don't think I am unintelligent because of that :)
Reading is something I enjoy but when I do too much of any one thing, it becomes a chore and not as much fun. I don’t think I am more intelligent for reading, but I do like to exercise my brain, and hopefully it is doing something.
I have not read a book for many months, except my Bible, of course. I've been focused on crafts, taking care of family, getting through each day... but really I am one of those voracious readers myself. I can read a book in ten seconds flat... well, maybe not that fast lol, but you get the point. I love the feel of real books, and I have plenty, but I also do a lot of online reading. I love to read about archeology and places far away... and of course family histories since I'm a genealogist/family historian at heart. Nope, I think you can be smart and not have to read constantly. I consider you smart! I enjoy your blog so much and agree with you on so many things! Anyway, I found you via Betsy's blog a few months ago, just hadn't commented yet. And now I have. And I also added your blog to my fave blog list several weeks back. Blessings to you!
Some people are more bookwormish than others. I have to really like a book to finish it. And I only like owning books I love to reread.
You have a good thought concerning reading. I read sometimes, do crafts at other times. Whatever a person enjoys.
Hi Friend,
I go in streaks with my reading habits. I recently read a book in 3 days.. it was that good. I had to wait for my husband to need my help with our kitchen project, I am the gopher.. anyway, I can not be off doing much, because he may need me to hold a board .. I read a fun read called The Last Dance of the Debutante.
I have been a reader since first grade when I fell in love with reading. My husband used to say about me, Glenda will read the labels on the toilet tissue if she doesn't have anything else to read. But I am now listening to audible books most of the time. I can do that when I go to bed. Sitting up in bed and reading is hard for me now but I still have something to read with me most of the time, not always books because I am a curious person and I want to know about everything, especially things that pertain to my health, to writing and teaching.
Post a Comment