“How To Read!” Or “Why Read, Read, Read, Read!”? Forty Reasons – Or Faulty Reasons?! This Is The Editor In Chief Speaking

 

Today, 11 Oct 2024, I saw Myrna Magboo Bigueras’ 10 Oct sharing titled “How To Lead” – but always The Editor In Chief, I immediately saw that it should be “How To Read.” The post is actually “40 Reasons Why Reading Books Can Be A Transformative Habit.” At 84 and with poor eyes, I don’t read books anymore – but from high school to college (UP Los Baños) to employment, 1950s to 1980s, I loved reading, reading, reading!

(Major Lesson: To be a creative writer, learn to read more and more.)

There are 40 reasons in the list, too long to present here; so here are the subtitles:

1. Mental Stimulation.
2. Stress Reduction.
3. Knowledge Acquisition.
4. Vocabulary Expansion.
5. Improved Focus.
6. Better Writing Skills.
7. Empathy Building.
8. Cultural Understanding.
9. Self-Improvement.
10. Entertainment.
11. Improved Memory.
12. Critical Thinking.
13. Inspiration and Motivation.
14. Increased Creativity.
15. Improved Sleep.
16. Emotional Management.
17. Escapism.
18. Conversation Starters.
19. Goal-Setting.
20. Building Discipline.
21. Lifelong Learning.
22. Perspective Shifting.
23. Cognitive Flexibility.
24. Self-Reflection.
25. Mindfulness: Reading can be a meditative practice, promoting a state of focus and mindfulness.
26. Improved Imagination.
27. Development of Analytical Skills.
28. Time Management.
29. Increased Productivity.
30. Emotional Intelligence.
31. Learning from Others' Mistakes.
32. Entertainment on a Budget.
33. Breaking Monotony.
34. Family Bonding.
35. Developing a Growth Mindset.
36. Enhanced Communication Skills.
37. Boost in Self-Confidence.
38. Exploration of New Ideas.
39. Learning to Think Independently.
40. A Positive Habit.

(Top image, Negative – Don’t be a kangaroo and just store books!
Lower image, Positive – Read the Reader’s Digest and you will want to read more!)

Ms Myrna’s sharing continues: “Whether for personal development, entertainment, or education, books offer endless benefits.” I revise that to insist: “For personal development, entertainment, and education, reading many books offer endless benefits.”

Before reading, don’t stop first and think, “Do I want to develop, or entertain, or educate myself – with this book?” You just grab what is available and read! The benefits come later.

[Now I want to tell you: In high school in my hometown Asingan, Pangasinan, at the Rizal Junior College high school, I went home on many a Friday with a beltfull of books – I wrapped my belt around the books 3 or 4 – I never borrowed just 1 book. American and British highly-rated books, some Filipino, I was that avid a reader! Even then, my favorite was the Reader’s Digest. I couldn’t get enough of the Reader’s Digest; it helped me think, think more – and write some more!]
(image from Alphastream Marketing Facebook sharing)

Many, many years later – In 2011, the UP Los Baños Alumni Assocation honored me with the award “Outstanding Alumnus For Creative Writing” when Elpidio “Pids” Rosario was alumni President. You cannot be a good writer without reading!

Editor’s Advice – I have been in love with the Reader’s Digest for 70 years. To write better, you cannot read too many Reader’s Digest – or books!@517