“The oldest books are still just out to those who have not read them.”
– Samuel Butler (1835 – 1902), English novelist and critic
If there were a list of things that make every one of us better, reading would be way up that list — and I don’t care who we are, that’s true right there!
I made a commitment at the beginning of this year to read 26 books — and while I’ve only completed eight, I have 11 in progress right now. Every time I read, I get better. Somehow. Some way. Every time!
So, just for fun, I thought I’d issue a reading challenge.
- Read a book that is “just out.” Could be new or, as Sam points out, could be really old but new to you.
- Re-read a book that you read a long time ago. This Present Darkness might be my choice for that one…
- Read a biography of someone you love, admire, and / or respect.
- Read a biography of someone you loathe, or at least who bugs the crap out of you — and read it with as little bias as you can muster. You might be surprised by what you learn…*
- Read a book that is just for fun; dopey, frivolous, caricaturish, or outlandish — something that will simply distract your mind from whatever the world puts on it.
If there’s a list of things that make every one of us better, these five items might be on it.
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