Our time in the education system has left us with many reading myths. Some of these myths may even be responsible for our inertia in picking up a book.
Whether you’re a voracious reader or haven’t picked up a book in ages, you probably have an opinion about reading.
Reading is boring. Reading gives me access to new worlds I would never have encountered. Reading is this. Reading is that. Our days in school may be long in the past, but our English and Literature lessons have probably influenced our opinions about books and reading.
These are several reading myths we need to unlearn so that you can unlock the joy of reading again.
Myth 1: We need to finish every book we read.
No one likes a quitter. This mentality of shaming people who quit on things halfway may make you feel reluctant to give up on a book.
Yet, there’s no real reason to persist in completing a book, especially if you’ve lost interest in it. Forcing yourself to complete a tiresome book is the quickest way to turn reading into a chore. Do this often enough, and your brain will start associating reading with boredom (or worse, the pain!).
You shouldn’t feel bad about not finishing a book. There are many reasons a book may not have been right for you: perhaps the author had a writing style you didn’t like, or you needed to be in a different frame of mind to complete it. If you’re reluctant to give up on a book completely, you can always set it aside for another time when you feel ready to tackle it again.
Myth 2: Reading is only a serious hobby if you read non-fiction books.
Ask someone what their favourite book is. They may blush and stammer excuses if the book is a romance novel or a light-hearted read.
If you look at a list of recommended reads by a highly successful person, most of the list will likely be made up of non-fiction books. If there are fiction books, they are probably classics from the authors you undoubtedly had to study in school. The underlying implication is that only non-fiction books can help us; hence, it only counts as ‘serious reading’ if you’re reading a non-fiction book.
Be proud of what you’re reading! There is much value in reading diversely. For example, studies have shown that reading fiction cultivates our empathy — a much-needed skill, given the multitude of conflicting opinions that dominate our current media landscape.
All books, even romantic comedies, can teach us something. It just depends on whether we’re receptive and open to learning. Additionally, there’s nothing wrong with reading something lighter for enjoyment. After all, the world is a serious enough place, and sometimes we just need a little laughter in our lives.
Myth 3: It doesn’t count as reading if it’s not a physical book.
An outdated way of looking at reading is that it must be a physical book. Although there is a growing acceptance of e-books (particularly amidst the pandemic, when it was harder to access the library), book snobs may still look down on audiobook listeners.
It’s a fair grudge to hold. We would have viewed reading as a visual process for most of our lives. However, whether you’re looking at words on a page or listening to them, you’re still experiencing the narrative and the author’s ideas. Before writing was invented, story-telling was an oral tradition and scholars were worried that writing these stories down would ruin the essence of culture.
Most importantly, audiobooks make reading more accessible. Audiobooks allow those with poor vision and the visually impaired to enjoy these words. Depending on the narrator, you may find audiobooks more engaging than their word-based versions.
Ultimately, reading shouldn’t be governed by strict rules or judgement. It is something that we do in our leisure. How we decide to read should be based on personal preference and what fits our lifestyles the most.
Similarly, for the time-strapped individual, book summaries may be how they choose to read. Book summaries are easy to understand an author’s ideas, particularly if they’re well-written.
If you’re hoping to delve into the world of Asian non-fiction, we’ve got you covered. Find quality summaries of the best-selling books on the NexPage app. Now available on both Apple App Store and Google Play Store, so you can read on the go!