“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” ― Ray Bradbury
When I was younger I seldom read books. Homework? I glanced through them for the book reports. College text books, yuck! Novels? Very few interested me. After high school I spent 4 years in the military, began a family and pursued some form of a career and reading was not part of that.
Fast forward into my 40’s and a shift of interests lead me in search for nonfiction books on philosophy, spirituality and religion studies. I ‘m still searching. No longer were the answers that important as I became enticed with asking more questions, a full time student without taking finals. I feel the searching for more questions lead me to discover more about myself and the world around me. I began to collect a nice little library. Many of these books, and their authors, became my friends. I no longer allowed Hollywood to create a scene but I let the book and it’s author lead me to create my own scenes, inviting me to explore with my own imagination. When I reread some books I found them even better the second time. Since purchasing an e-reader I read even much more.
In looking at the above image what does it say to you?
Do you read more or less as you’ve aged? Has your subject matter changed over the years and if so why?
6 Comments
paul
Great post, Monte. I have always loved to read. Even when I was a teenager I was a voracious reader, still am. For the most part, I loved to read fiction, which is still my favorite; however, I have added quite a few spiritual, uplifting books. This is where my subject matter changed. I had a number of things that I was dealing with, as we all do, and I read a lot and came across some really good books.
A few of my favorites: Living an Extraordinary Life, Awakening Joy: 10 Steps to happiness, The Very Cool Life Code, and finally, No More Mr. Nice Guy. Each has allowed me to make some significant changes in my life. I love to read them again and again.
On the fiction side, I simply love to read Dean Koontz, Stephen King, James Patterson, Nelson DeMille, etc. I seem to always have a book available … thanks to Kindle. 😀
And like you, I much prefer the scenes created in my mind, by the books, than anything that Whollyweird can put into my brain.
Monte Stevens
As you can see I am way behind on following up on comments, again. Great minds do think alike, Paul. 🙂
Tom Dills
This is a great photo, Monte. And I can think of a number of story lines that would go nicely with it.
I don’t read nearly as much as I would like to these days, and while I also love to write I spend most of it writing stuff for work that nobody outside of my world would want to read! When I was a kid I loved to read Asimov, Bradbury and Vonnegut, then later got into Edward Abbey-type stuff, and finally “graduated” to techno books. My current favorites are Dale Brown and Stephen Coonts. My favorite “relaxing vacation” pasttime is a comfy chair and a pile of books (or a pile of files these days!). Kathy would put us all to shame though, as she can read 3-4 books a week, more on vacation
I suppose if I didn’t spend so much time reading and commenting on blogs I might have more time to read books! 🙂
Monte Stevens
Thanks, Tom. I feel uncomfortable around those who can read 3-4 books a week as I am a s-l-o-w reader. And, reading is something I will be able to enjoy the rest of my life.
Cedric Canard
Great post Monte. I read voraciously as a kid. I read less as I got older and then when I had kids the only books I had time to read were children’s books (which I liked). I read with them all the time and they loved it. They read a lot now and I still read the books they read so that we can discuss them and share our thoughts. Luckily for me they have good taste in books. I recently bought a Kobo reader for $20. It’s a 7″ model which fits in my pocket and I have it with me all the time. In fact I am more likely to take my reader than my phone these days. I tend to read all genres of books though I decided a long time ago that all books are fiction but that’s a whole other story 😉
Monte Stevens
My kindle always travels in my bag with my journal, pen and camera. No matter where I am I can pull any of them out and use them. Interesting idea that all books are fiction but that is what I expect and want from you. I also think you are a well read man which has caused you to think through life, a quest for understanding and sharing. In fact, may just be your forte.