The Mindset You Should Have When Reading A Book
How To Become A Reader 101 : Part 4
In part 1 of this Reader 101 series, we discussed the deeper answer to why you should read.
In part 2, we discussed how we could pick books for your new reading habit.
In part 3, we discussed how we can make time to read the books we picked.
In part 4, the final part of this series, we'll discuss the mindset I find is perfect when reading a book.
"A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one."
- George R.R. Martin
When I started my reading journey, it was to escape the real world. Then over the 14+ years, it shifted to entertaining myself. And now I am in a space where, though I still get my escape and entertainment, what I want is education - I want to understand the real world I was trying so hard to escape.
With this transition, I saw a change in my approach to books and reading.
Earlier, when I started a new book, I would say, "I hope this book is as good as it sounds."
Now when I open a book, this is what I say -
"Let's read this book and see how it educates and/or entertains me."
I used to start a book with quite some expectations. But we all know how expectations turn out to be. So now I don't expect anything. I let the book (and life) surprise me.
And if I am lucky, the book will change my life forever.
Now two conclusions can occur when you finish a book. Either you didn't like the book and/or find it okay. Or you thoroughly enjoyed yourself.
If you didn't enjoy a book, don't take it to heart. It simply means one of these four things -
This book wasn't meant for you.
You weren't meant for this book.
This wasn't the right time - you might understand it better a few years later.
Your WHY wasn't clear enough.
None of these says that the book or author was terrible. Not every book and author is for everyone every time.
If you did enjoy a book, cherish it dearly because of this one simple reason -
You and this book were meant for each other, and you found each other at the right time.
So next time you start a new book, go in with the thought that you'll enjoy yourself. That you'll learn something. That you'll have the best time of your life.
Either way, the book will teach you a lesson.
"In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you."
- Mortimer J. Adler
