Enhance Your Mind, Enrich Your Soul: Read Often
August 12, 2008 · Print This Article
“[I]n reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself. Like the night sky in the Greek poem, I see with a myriad eyes, but it is still I who see.”–C.S. Lewis
Read often. Read regularly. Read daily.
I try to.
That admonition might seem to go against what I’ve been posting lately, but it really doesn’t. I have indeed been warning against the tendency of many of us to read voluminous amounts of material, especially online. And, no question, too much reading can prevent us from accomplishing our major goals.
I’ve recently shared how reading too many blogs on a daily basis invited stress into my life and robbed me of the initial pleasure I got from reading blogs, by letting a beneficial hobby turn into a part-time job. After significantly cutting back on the number of blogs I subscribe to, I once again enjoy reading blogs.
But, blogs are only one medium of reading, and not the best one. Magazines are better and books are best, in my opinion. If you only read blogs, I think you’re really limiting yourself.
When Books Beat Blogs
For one thing (and this is what’s great about blogs), anyone can write a blog; there’s no entry-requirements or standards to meet. Just sign up for a free blog and begin posting–everyone can have a voice and an audience now. That’s good, but it has its drawbacks as well.
By contrast, most magazines and books are written by people who have some level of legitimate authority–it’s much tougher to get your book published or your magazine article printed than it is to hit publish on your blog software.
Thus, we’re missing out on some truly great insight and information if we rarely read books.
Another advantage books have over blogs: it’s relaxing and enjoyable for me to lie down with a good book and read it from beginning to end (or at least a few chapters) without distraction. When you’re online, you can jump from link to link, blog to blog, site to site, and not have to deal with one compelling, in-depth argument or story. Nor is it as easy or comfortable to lie down and stretch out when reading off of a computer as it is with a book or magazine.
As opposed to what we often do when reading online (skimming and scanning, reading very quickly for “just the facts”), when we settle down with a book, our attention is necessarily bound to it alone, allowing us to read more slowly and deeply–this can help us to develop more focus and discipline, attributes that also help us to write better, the subject of an upcoming post.
You Have the Time and the Need so Read
People who say they never read because they don’t have the time or need for it are wrong. They have time (30 minutes a day is easy to find if you really want it) and they need to read–it’s narcissistic to say you pretty much already know everything you need to know and nobody can tell you anything new or that you’ll just figure it out as you go (try taking a trip across the country without ever reading a map and planning your route–and still getting to your destination on time). You have the time and you have the need–even if you don’t realize it.
Besides gaining how-to knowledge, there are other, perhaps deeper reasons for reading regularly.
C.S. Lewis poetically explains,
“Those of us who have been true readers all our life seldom fully realise the enormous extension of our being which we owe to authors. We realise it best when we talk with an unliterary friend. He may be full of goodness and good sense but he inhabits a tiny world. In it, we should be suffocated. The man who is contented to be only himself, and therefore less a self, is in prison. My own eyes are not enough for me, I will see through those of others. Reality, even seen through the eyes of many, is not enough. I will see what others have invented….
[I]n reading great literature I become a thousand men and yet remain myself. Like the night sky in the Greek poem, I see with a myriad eyes, but it is still I who see. Here, as in worship, in love, in moral action, and in knowing, I transcend myself; and am never more myself than when I do.” [Emphasis mine]
Reading enhances our minds and enriches our souls by taking us out of ourselves and our limited knowledge and experiences and giving us the knowledge and experiences that so many people before us have gained.
John Piper reminds us that it isn’t the quantity of books that we read, but rather the quality:
“Nor, in conclusion, do I want to leave the impression that reading many books is important. Reading great books and reading them well is what is important. Meditative reading, reading which stops and ponders, reading which sees deep into reality - that is the kind of reading which profits. That kind of reading should never end for you. Growth and stimulation and transformation will never end for you. You will be in the company of the greatest minds and hearts for the rest of your life, and you will become their peers if you read for understanding and for life.” [Emphasis mine]
Reading is vital. We need to read so we can find out what to do–how to set up a new computer system or map the route for our road trip. We need to read to improve our writing skills by familiarizing ourselves with other styles and expanding our vocabulary. We need to read so that we can step back from our limited understanding of life and gain a richer, deeper knowledge handed down to us from greater minds who have lived centuries before us.
Just don’t read so much that that’s all you do. Read enough to gain the benefits that reading offers, but live your own life. Create your own experiences.
My Reading Plan
I suggest a disciplined, regular reading plan of 30 minutes to an hour a day, devoted to one book that you’re currently interested in. That’s what I try to do and I derive the knowledge and discipline that comes from sticking to a regular commitment without letting it take up too much time and interfere with accomplishing my goals.
I’ll share some intriguing thoughts on reading plans and offer some ideas on how to set up, and stick to, such a plan in my next post.
Currently, I’m reading Ward No. 6 and Other Stories by Anton Chekhov, a selection of 23 short stories by the late 19th century Russian author. Reading fiction is a nice break from the almost entirely fact-based (do this, do that) nature of the blogosphere, and reading fiction by someone from a different country in a different era takes me out of my own context and allows me, as Lewis described, to see things through the eyes of another.
Think about it: I’m an American in 2008, reading stories written by a Russian in the 1880’s and 1890’s, enjoying thought-provoking explorations of the universal human psyche as I lie back relaxing on my couch.
You can’t get that from a blog.
Wow, that’s a punchy and gutsy end to your post. Slightly controversial, a little unnerving and way cool. I like how you don’t bow to the status quo of the blogosphere and take chances.
Me? I just want to get on the front page of Digg and noting else… (Joke people)
There’s way too much preaching to the choir in the blogosphere - and I find it tiresome. But I also kind of like it; it gives me an opportunity to carve my own path, and speak about things other won’t.
Here’s a great article by a blogger I respect. Though I don’t agree with all sentiments in this post, it is well worth a read: http://ourbestversion.com/2008/08/to-my-fellow-self-improvementpersonal-development-bloggers/
I am in agreement, and have always thought this too. That the authors of books and magazines are generally in a class of their own, and bloggers are not as erudite of writers. Period.
That being said, blogging is its own unique skill. It requires some skills that print does not to get to the top. Sorta like the difference between a great basketball player and a great tennis player. Both should be honored for their skills, but neither one would excel in the others sport of choice.
That being said, the author of magazines and books are usually the best of writers, in the strictest of terms. But there is also another side to it, and it’s only fair to consider. Blogging by definition is a much more casual medium. A magazine article and that much more a book may have taken weeks or years to have composed. Blog article? Sometimes a few hours. So, the stature of the writing for this reason alone is going to outshine blogs.
Very thought provoking entry. I could say more, and may do so… But then my comment would turn into more of a guest post than it already is.
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..The Frightening Truth about Bloggers
Sweet post. Good supporting details.
There is an art to blogging versus writing for magazines–we all know that. But writing a book is WAY harder than writing for a blog.
The skill level for a good book is far better than that of a good blogger. A blog is a bunch of dated entries and maybe some categories.
I’ve recently really begun enjoying books and appreciating them. But the irony is I’ve only discovered this THROUGH blogging and online writing.
I used to be so afraid of a 300 page book. But now I fly through pages and appreciate books.
Don’t get me wrong—blogs have their purpose. But I will be the first to say it’s not where excellent writers shine. Far from it.
It’s a place where public relation specialists and/or columnists pave the new media to market products and services.
I think when you’re a good enough WRITER, you’ll get paid for it. Until then, just keep blogging.
The other cool thing books have over blogs: You don’t have to press buttons to move up and down the screen (along with paid advertisements popping up on the screen).
Phillip Hines’s last blog post..Tidewater Region (aka 757, Hampton Roads) Rocks Slurpee Sales For Second Consecutive Month!
“I suggest a disciplined, regular reading plan of 30 minutes to an hour a day, devoted to one book that you’re currently interested in.”
This quote begs for further elucidation (great word). Is it important, do you think, to stick with a single book at a time, and not alternate between a few?
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..The Frightening Truth about Bloggers
This is a daring series — encouraging your blog readers to put aside blogs in favor of print. Fortunately, this kind of content encourages me to keep your blog as part of the (slowly, slowly) diminishing list in my RSS reader.
I’m going to join you in your daily reading. I used to read hungrily, and often. Now I am usually reading two books at a time, but my reading is irregular.
Although I think reading one book at a time is useful for concentration, I sometimes need the variety. For example, I’m now reading a book on the Khmer Rouge, which does not make for a good bedtime story. So, I keep a second book on my night table for reading right before bed.
Zoe Westhof writes, “I’m going to join you in your daily reading.”
I too, Bamboo, will join you.
Count me in.
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..The Frightening Truth about Bloggers
Hey folks,
Interesting comments.
I have to point out though, that this was a post about reading, not writing. I wasn’t at all trying to do a “books are better than blogs” post, comparing the writing skills of bloggers to authors.
I was simply trying to point out that regularly reading good books meditatively is worth doing and offers benefits that blogs can’t.
If my principle meaning wasn’t clear enough, that’s my fault as the writer.
But, to be clear, blogs and books are two very different mediums, requiring similar and yet, different skill sets. I respect and enjoy both.
Bamboo,
“I like how you don’t bow to the status quo of the blogosphere and take chances.”
Appreciate that. I’m a bit of a contrarian and I like to test widely held assumptions to see if they’re legit. Plus, I hate group think. However, much conventional wisdom has come about because it’s true.
You also said:
“That being said, blogging is its own unique skill. It requires some skills that print does not to get to the top. Sorta like the difference between a great basketball player and a great tennis player. Both should be honored for their skills, but neither one would excel in the others sport of choice.”
I agree. Like I said in my previous comment, I was trying to focus this post on the value of meditative, regular reading of good books; I wasn’t attacking the skills or writing quality of bloggers. If I didn’t really enjoy blogs, I wouldn’t write one or read them regularly.
You make a great point–while most bloggers will probably never become published authors or big-name magazine writers, many authors and journalists would make for very bad bloggers.
Good blogging incorporates its own standards of formatting, length, voice, as well as other attributes. In addition, blogs receive public comments from around the world. Bloggers have to be bold and thick-skinned to deal with that; I wonder if famous authors or journalists could handle that feedback.
You asked:
“Is it important, do you think, to stick with a single book at a time, and not alternate between a few?”
Short answer–yes, but…
I’ll more specifically address that in my next post or two, when I talk about reading plans.
By the way, since you’re joining in on daily book reading, what book have you chosen?
Phillip,
“But writing a book is WAY harder than writing for a blog.”
No question. Anyone can publish a blog, but very few can publish a book.
“The skill level for a good book is far better than that of a good blogger.”
I’m not sure about that. There are some really successful bloggers out there (Darren Rowse, Brian Clark, Leo of ZenHabits…) who are masters at connecting with their audiences. Immediate and very public feedback is something that book authors can’t really get, especially in comparison to bloggers.
Blogs and books are just two very different animals. The best at both are really good at what they do, and both can make good money.
That said, it’s always big news when a blogger gets a book deal; it’s not when a book author starts a blog.
Zoe,
“this kind of content encourages me to keep your blog”
That’s really cool to hear.
Although, I’m not “encouraging [my] blog readers to put aside blogs in favor of print.”
Who would read my blog if they all did that?
What I am trying to do is to encourage blog readers to read books in addition to blogs. Books offer benefits that blogs just can’t provide.
But, then, blogs offer benefits that books can’t provide either.
I enjoy, and encourage people to, use both.
I do think that books enable us to think more deeply about things than the online feast of never-ending links allows.
Thanks for your comment.
“How to Win Friends and Influence People” By Dale Carnegie
Though I’ve read a bit of it - I never finished. Recently I decided to start from the beginning and finish the dastardly thing.
There are many self improvement books on the market. Millions. But only a few truly stand out. This is one of them.
I really do need to stick my head in more reading material in order to improve my writing.
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..The Frightening Truth about Bloggers
There are thousands of blogs created each day. There might be a few books published each day. See the difference?
A book REQUIRES (credentials, success) a certain amount of skill just so it can be published. A blog does not.
As far as writing is concerned, writing a book requires more skill than writing for a blog. Period.
There are good bloggers. But there are only a few that you mentioned. Blogging is not about writing. It’s actually very hard to compare; almost like apples and oranges (and I know you hate cliches).
I see a blogger as more of a public relations specialist, not a writer. A public relations specialists requires decent writing ability, but that is not his or her main job. The main job is to connect with the audience and make people happy.
Summary: Books require good writers, blogs require absolutely nothing. Good books require even better writers, good blogs require good social skills.
Phillip Hines’s last blog post..Tidewater Region (aka 757, Hampton Roads) Rocks Slurpee Sales For Second Consecutive Month!
Bamboo,
That’s a good book by Carnegie. I read it about a decade ago.
Do you have any interest in fiction or literature?
Some of the great literature from some of the greatest writers (Franz Kafka, Henry James, Charles Dickens, etc.) can help you to improve your writing by getting a sense of creative, elegant, poetic prose that you can combine with the message of “be clear, concise, and simple” that you get here.
Clarity combined with creativity, used well together, can make your writing really shine.
Phillip,
You said:
“As far as writing is concerned, writing a book requires more skill than writing for a ‘blog.’”
Of course.
Then you said:
“Books require good writers, blogs require absolutely nothing.”
What?
Everything requires something.
A good blog usually does originate from good writing; without valuable content, not many people will read it.
Just because a Darren Rowse or some other Problogger doesn’t write with the literary skill of a book author (many of whom today write very blandly, believe me) doesn’t mean they’re not good writers.
Being able to successfully write for one’s intended audience and move them to do things, such as sign up for a blog subscription or buy a recommended product based on an affiliate review–all that requires good writing.
Good writing persuades readers to act in the way the author intends; many good bloggers might have fairly bland prose, but if they’re using their writing skills to make real money and increase their subscriber numbers, then they’re writing well for the medium.
But, like I said, this post was really about the value we can derive from reading books. That’s really all it was about.
I think it’s time you do a post on defining what good writing is. I’m thoroughly confused as to what you consider “writing” and “blogging.”
Please clarify. What is good writing? What is good blogging?
Phillip Hines’s last blog post..Tidewater Region (aka 757, Hampton Roads) Rocks Slurpee Sales For Second Consecutive Month!
Phillip,
I may do a post on what good writing is.
For now, though:
Good writing is writing that truly informs readers of something and/or persuades readers to act in the way the author intends–buy something, vote for a candidate, change their theological view, etc.
Good blogging? I don’t know. I haven’t been blogging enough to really know.
But, I think Problogger, Copyblogger, ZenHabits, Men With Pens, Get Rich Slowly, Desiring God, and 4 Hour Workweek are all examples of good blogs, regardless of how impressive the writing itself may or may not be.
They all inform (and sometimes persuade) me, they all have large subscriber numbers (they’ve built a loyal audience), and some of them make good money from it.
I think that would be considered good blogging, blogging which is built on the back of good content, content which derives from good (enough) writing to get the job done well.
“Good writing is writing that truly informs readers of something and/or persuades readers to act in the way the author intends–buy something, vote for a candidate, change their theological view, etc.”
So good writing does not have to clear and concise? I don’t see that in the definition.
Phillip Hines’s last blog post..Tidewater Region (aka 757, Hampton Roads) Rocks Slurpee Sales For Second Consecutive Month!
Let’s not forget, a key component of good writing. To entertain.
If your message is valuable and clear but isn’t fun to read, it will not reach its full potential no matter how redeeming the material is.
This may be particularly true with blogging. As Jon Morrow has pointed out, people often read blogs for a diversion. If they want to get their hands dirty and jump head first into learning something, a text book will do a better job.
Link: http://www.copyblogger.com/how-to-stop-being-invisible/
With blogs, you’re digesting little pieces on a regular basis. In some ways, you could argue, learning is even better this way.
I read copyblogger every day for example. I feel like I’m integrating its material in a very effective manner, and I keep coming back again and again.
With a text book - I may just get frustrated and hurl it across the room, and then go out and eat a few buckets of fried chicken to medicate myself.
See what I’m talking about?
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..The Frightening Truth about Bloggers
Fried chicken is good. Mhhmm.
Blogs are good daily reminders–they can really help keep you on track of things (financial goals, writing tips, health, etc.).
You’re right–it’s small pieces at once. Perhaps all the pieces could add up to be a book when it’s all said and done.
I think John Hoff put it pretty well in his comment over at Men With Pens today. He wrote “It’s all in our minds…” http://www.eventurebiz.com/
Whether you get tired of reading a book or you get sick of reading blogs, the same thing is happening—you’re getting tired of it. The book and blog are meant to do the same thing and if the end result is you getting mad, then both are equally bad.
It’s all in our heads.
But what I’m stil waiting for from my brother: What is good writing? I need a rock-solid definition.
Bamboo you say a key component is to entertain. That’s right. So what are the other key components, and how many are there?
Phillip Hines’s last blog post..Tidewater Region (aka 757, Hampton Roads) Rocks Slurpee Sales For Second Consecutive Month!
“it’s much tougher to get your book published or your magazine article printed than it is to hit publish on your blog software”
This line cracks me up.
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..The Frightening Truth about Bloggers
Phillip,
I’m not God. I’m not the world’s writing expert.
I’m unable to give the definitive, rock-solid, fool-proof, perfect, exact definition of good writing.
Like I said earlier, in combination with what Bamboo said, to me, good writing informs, entertains, and persuades.
Here’s a nice definition I found from the writing center of Emory University:
“Good writing expresses a clear point, is tightly structured, grammatically and syntactically correct, substantive, and interesting.”
Read their explanations of each point here:
http://www.writingcenter.emory.edu/goodwrite.html
There’s two definitions for you.
Now…what book have you decided to read daily?
I know you’re not God. I just see posts upon posts about writing being “concise” and “neat,” but now I’m not seeing that. Now it’s about being popular and keeping people happy.
I’m not reading any books daily. I was just handed “Bill Gates Speaks,” so I’m checking that out.
I’m not sure what to think of blogs after this post (or the blogosphere for that matter).
Phillip Hines’s last blog post..Tidewater Region (aka 757, Hampton Roads) Rocks Slurpee Sales For Second Consecutive Month!
“Now it’s about being popular and keeping people happy.”
In the world we live in - what else dictates what is good material?
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..The Frightening Truth about Bloggers
Jesse prides himself on writing by strict principles and guidelines (at that’s what I gather from this blog).
He speaks out in rebellion against blogs. But his definition of writing is starting to worry me because now it appears he’s basing “good” writing on whether or not he’s keeping his audience, regardless of good grammar.
I think what the world often deems as good is actually the opposite—bad. Political candidates speak about how they want to improve their constituents’ quality of life for popularity, but we know many times they are just lying to get voted on office for hidden agendas.
Hitler was popular in Germany. Was that good?
I think we know how that turned out.
Phillip Hines’s last blog post..Tidewater Region (aka 757, Hampton Roads) Rocks Slurpee Sales For Second Consecutive Month!
Phillip,
You said:
“I’m not sure what to think of blogs after this post (or the blogosphere for that matter).”
I’m not sure what to think of your bizzare comments about this post. Hitler?
Stop.
You said:
“Jesse prides himself on writing by strict principles and guidelines (at that’s what I gather from this blog).
He speaks out in rebellion against blogs.”
I do try to write well, based upon good standards, but I do not speak out in rebellion against blogs. If I didn’t like or value blogs, I wouldn’t write one.
You said:
“But his definition of writing is starting to worry me because now it appears he’s basing ‘good’ writing on whether or not he’s keeping his audience, regardless of good grammar.”
I think you’re just trying to start some sort of ruckus here, because I gave you a definition of good writing several times, which I said was: informative, persuasive, and entertaining. I linked you to a more comprehensive textbook definition of good writing–did you bother to read it?
I always try to use good grammar. But, if one effectively writes for their audience and connects with them, then regardless of their (lack of?) a soaring style…they’re writing well. They’re informing, persuading, and entertaining.
This is getting to be absurd.
This post was about reading, not writing, as I’ve said before. Do you see the irony in praising book authors as so far above bloggers while admitting that you’re “not reading any books daily,” but you are reading and commenting on blogs?
It’s time for you to start reading that Bill Gates book.
A little upset? Seems like it.
You’re also demanding. Telling me to read books. Hmm…I know you’re my older brother, but still. You could chill.
Your tone in that last comment was quite sharp—not merited.
Anyhow, I get what you’re saying: READ OFTEN.
Good discussion. Now that’s what blogs are good for.
Case closed.
Phillip Hines’s last blog post..Tidewater Region (aka 757, Hampton Roads) Rocks Slurpee Sales For Second Consecutive Month!
“But, blogs are only one medium of reading, and not the best one. Magazines are better and books are best, in my opinion. If you only read blogs, I think you’re really limiting yourself”
Are books really better than magazines? Or, on the other hand - is it merely a different medium that lends itself to a different kind of writing?
I would say this. If someone is authoring a blog, and they want to rise to the top, they better read blogs. They better read successful blogs. They better do it often.
Because in order to craft a blog in the most successful way, one has to see how others do it. They will not see this by reading magazines nor books.
Books and magazines will undoubtedly make one a better writer. A better blogger too.
But the act of reading successful blogs and taking away what they do, adopting the techniques that they have proven work, is vital.
I’m not saying one has to spend a lot of time reading other blogs. I am saying, they should do it regularly and from blogs that are successful. Skellie’s most recent article underscores this, and I agree.
Bamboo Forest’s last blog post..The Frightening Truth about Bloggers
Bamboo,
Well, books are capable of exploring subjects in much greater detail and depth than magazines or blogs can–books usually contain many more pages than magazines and blogs.
When I say books are best, I mean that they’re the best medium (in my opinion) for reading that encourages deep, mediative study and offers a better opportunity to have the experiences mentioned in the quotes I used from C.S. Lewis and John Piper.
Certainly, if someone wants to become a good blogger, they better read and study other bloggers–of course they can’t learn about better blogging from magazines or books.
But, I’m not talking about that in this post. I’m simply pointing out the value of regular, thoughtful reading that takes us out of ourselves and broadens our perspective of this life and world that we’re a part of. I think books are best for that.
Also, bloggers who read books in addition to blogs will probably become much better writers than bloggers who only read blogs.
[...] Regular, disciplined, meditative, thoughtful reading can enhance your mind and enrich your soul. [...]