We need to read more

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February 23, 2017 1:19 PM

"Reading is important because it develops the mind."

We need to read more.

"Reading is important because it develops the mind. The mind is a muscle. It needs exercise. Understanding the written word is one way the mind grows in its ability..." - Glenn Davis

Books are everything.

I was talking with a friend the other day and we were talking about how there's a clear difference between people who read and people who don't and how it's easy to tell apart a reader from a non-reader by mere conversing with them.

When people say they don't or can't read books, I'm at a loss for words because reading is literally one of the easiest habits to inculcate. Books have countless genres and it's practically possible for every single person to find a genre that appeals to them.

For example, if you're into romance, Danielle Steele is most likely the woman for you. If you're more of the mystery, suspense kind, Sidney Sheldon would be your pick.

If you want to try out African literature, Chimamada Ngozi Adichie's "Americanah" is a great first read.

William Shakespeare and Wole Soyinka are respective Non-African and African writers if poetry or plays are what you're into.

And if you're not into fiction, there are books for you too!

So you see, the list is endless, there's really no excuse.

Reading is a major stress reliever; I know it's difficult to begin a book when your mind is all over the place but once you can get into it, all stress is forgotten in that moment. It opens the door to this imaginary world in which anything is possible and sometimes, that's really all we need.

Reading is one of the few ways to get educated and entertained at the same time; there are no strict rules, there's no routine, there's no pattern.

Just you and a book; I came across a page on twitter, @TheReadClub recently and was really amazed at the efforts being made to promote reading, you not only get to read a different book each week, you also get to discuss the books with different people from all over. You get to share ideas and consequently, build yourself.

Unlike many other habits which you have to make a conscious effort to maintain, reading can be done at your convenience; in the car, on a plane, at the salon, off your phone etc.

We really underrate the impact (however little) books have on us. We really need to read more, we need to learn to open up our minds to new ideas and not restrict our thoughts. We need to give room for something more than what we are used to, we need to improve ourselves, explore, discover

There's this Read Club Lounge event coming up on the 25th of February in Ebute Meta, Lagos, where you get to combine book discussions with games, food, drinks etc. You just register on pay.wallet.ng/TheReadClub with only N2000 and that's it.

See how easy it is?

Books motivate, inspire, educate, inform, entertain - books help form and develop a better you.

Everybody should be a reader, the world would be so much better.

Written by Noya Sedi

IG @iwriteorwrong

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