"It is a most wonderful comfort to sit alone beneath a lamp, book spread before you, and commune with someone from the past whom you have never met." These are the reflections of the 14th century monk and poet, Yoshida Kenkō. When deciding what to read, I often base my decisions on what artists, writers and other inspirational figures are reading.
In 2007, Yann Martel, author of Life of Pi, started sending a book and letter every fortnight to a Canadian politician whom he deemed emotionally disconnected. The politician was none other than pariah prime minister, Stephen Harper. This went on for several years. Needless to say, Yann's letters were largely ignored (until book 54/55 when he was thanked) but they are an invaluable source of inspiration.
More recently I have discovered Barrack Obama and Bill Gate's favourite books. The breadth and depth of their interests is astounding! As they say, if you want to lead, you must read. Here's my list of my top five reasons why:
1. Books (especially novels) place you in someone else's' shoes.
"A library is not books, it's people!" says Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451. "You look at Charles Dickens, and you are Charles Dickens... and he is you! its a chance to discover yourself". Yann Martel agrees: If you read a book like The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, "you become that twelve year old black girl from a highly dysfunctional African family".
2. Books expand your knowledge.
Albert Einstein said "imagination is more important than knowledge", I would expand that knowledge improves your ability to imagine.
3. Reading improves your vocabulary and communication.
We can't all write like Shakespeare or the poets but reading great literature illumines the creative possibilities of written and spoken language.
4. Reading is a healthy escape.
Don't invite indolence to relieve stress; read instead, it's far more beneficial for your brain.
5. Books make you more tolerant.
As author Helen Keller said, "Understanding all is forgiving all".
It's not a surprise that the world's most effective communicators and thinkers are and have been voracious readers. No wonder Nazis burned books. No books, no civilisation.
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