The Importance of Reading

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The Importance of Reading

“Why do you read all the time?” A frequently asked question of my past and I still find it repeated even now as I have entered a higher class of the educated. Whenever posed with this blatant criticism of my preferred free time activity, I simply answer with “Why don’t you read all the time?” Of course I might sound like the biggest geek that ever walked the face of the earth, but the fact of the matter is that no matter what negative stereotype is attached to those who read, it has never stopped me from continuing to pursue my joy of literature. I am a firm believer in the power of a book and that the fact that the more well read you are the better chance you have of relating to entirely different groups of people.

Ever since I can remember, my father has encouraged me to read. I suppose that it is due to his poor background that he is so inspired by books. As a result, I was reading Shakespeare before most could even pronounce his name. Captured by the amazing usage of words in the old Elizabethan era, I was spurred to read more by past British writers and they remain to this day my preferred choice of books. This is not to say that I am not a fan of the more modern author on the contrary, I read all genres and believe that each have their own additions to the literary world.

However, none of them can compare to my all time favourite author, Jane Austen. First introduced to her when I was about twelve years old, I was instantly captured by her style of writing and her personal background. She is the most famous feminist writer of her time but was only truly celebrated after her death, to my own sentimental twelve-year-old heart that seemed so tragic and was automatically my reason to sympa...

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... read finding great pleasure in a book. After knowing what I know about what books have brought to my life I feel sorry for those who cannot simply enjoy a novel instead of watching a movie.

Even though I too have grown up in a society that is primarily film oriented and it has definitely been a part of shaping me, I am proud to say that I am more well rounded than that and have many levels and other things that have shaped who I am. My view on the world and its issues is broader and I have a better way of thinking of the world being better aware of the social differences within groups of people and the impoverished people that are scattered across our globe. I owe this all to my father who introduced me to literature and the greatness that it can hold for someone who is ready to accept it and step into the many lives and worlds created by ink and paper.

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