Some Thoughts on Reading

I think it is more and more important for us professionals today to read classics and poetry and short stories and memoirs. Books about things other than our profession. A lot of things can be automated but not people’s wants and relationships. We can force systemic behavioral changes but for us to connect with others on an individual basis and be more human, I think we need to build a genuine interest in understanding the stories of others and books help us best in doing that.

April is the National Poetry Month in the USA. A time when people take up poetry projects by spending time reading and writing. April 23rd was also the world book day. There were years when I start with a target to read a certain number of books and then try finishing it. This time I did not. I just realized I will never be able to read all I want and do all I want.

This year the approach was slightly different for me. First I dedicate a time daily to read a classic that I have never read. And I am ok if it takes me months to finish or if I read only a page a day. There is a dedicated time. I will live in that large canvas with the characters opening doors to all the new worlds the writer has built for us.

Secondly I have a few books on my bedside. A book of poetry, one of short stories and then a memoir. Short reads that I can do before I sleep every day. The third is to always have a short read of poems or flash fiction in the car to read when I need.

I could do all this on the phone or on a tablet or kindle. But I still like the physical presence of a book and I do use the phone for quick random notes and ideas.

Author Annie Dillard in her book The Writing Life says ‘How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives’ This is such a powerful reminder that our daily routines and choices create our long-term reality.

Books expand our world to understand others different from us and help us move outside the eco chambers that algorithms and social media trap us in. Books help us know the world not just from our experiences but also others. I cautions us when we become less empathetic. I wish you all a world with books and words.