Reading a Book, Again

Lately, I have been making an effort to spend more time reading books and less time on social media and entertaining internet videos. I have always loved reading books, but I haven't really read one in a while. Reading requires a disconnect from everything around you, and the hardest part is that it's not as instantly gratifying as simple entertainment on the internet.

As I did some reading today, some for a class, some for pleasure, I was reminded of how much it engages the imagination. Here is another stark contrast between books and a computer screen: you create more when you engage with books. On an electronic screen, everything is given to you. Every sound and sight that you need is provided (though there are many videos and movies that are good and worthy of praise). My favorite part about a book is that you get to create your own images, and there is more interaction between you and the content creator.

It is interesting to me that I, a guy interested in a career in libraries, should have a sort of rediscovery of the virtues of reading books. But, it had been a while since I had allowed myself the luxury of reading a book for my own reasons. I am grateful for the excitement and inspiration I find just from reading a book.