BOOKS AND LITERATURE
" There is no friend as loyal as a book. " ~ Ernest Hemingway
Well, I have to disagree because no one is as loyal as my (human) best friend. But books are definitely a close second.
Hemingway was right though. I remember books being my best friend even till eighth grade (when usually your social life and status take centre stage). I had friends all around me but if I was alone, I'd always have a book with me. I have a hectic schedule these days as all high school seniors do but if I ever have spare time, I dive into one of the many ebooks on my phone.
Words are immortal. Aren't books like Pride and Prejudice & The Great Gatsby proof of that? While the greats like Jane Austen and William Shakespeare are not with us today, their words live on.
It's not a necessity to read self-help or deep-meaning books. There's a plethora of genres available to read! You could immerse yourself in a romance novel or grab a thriller or mystery novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat till the end. There are comics and poetries as well. The options are endless! Let's not forget, reading does wonders for your creativity and vocabulary. No wonder mothers want their kids to read as much as possible, right? Seriously, if my writing skills were off-the-charts good, I would've made literature and writing my career.
Human imagination is so powerful that you can visualise what you're reading! I know it might sound like a joke to some people but to the ones who have read a novel, a book, or even just a short story, you can't say that you haven't felt that at least once. There's a reason why it's said that a reader lives a thousand lives, or that a book can transport you into a world far more interesting than your own. I feel that books have this uncanny ability to heal. There's a saying, "When I open the book, I turn off the pain". And I think subconsciously, that happens! For me, music and books are a home away from home. But if you don't want to take my word for it, try it out for yourself. I can guarantee it works.
Isn't it excruciatingly disappointing when you finish a book, and that bubble bursts and you realise you have your real life to get back to? What to do now? Pick up another one! There's no limit, right?
When you're down or bored or even if you're content, why not read? It's not a task, and you certainly can't enjoy the experience if you feel that way. Read for your pleasure! Because you want to, not just because you have to or you feel like you have to. I know everything has its pros and cons, but I haven't found a single con for reading. Have you?
So try it out! What's the worst that could happen?
" A book is a gift you can open again and again. " ~ Garrison Keillor
