The Hidden Advantages of Checking Out Too Many Books

Rosemary Yin
Jul 22, 2017 · 3 min read

I stroll down the library aisle, glancing at the Dewey Decimal codes and seemingly endless array of Greek literature. Sophocles, Aeschylus … my eyes finally locate 883 Home, The Iliad.

The Iliad is one of those epic classics that, in my eyes, has always seemed to separate the knowledgable and the foolish, the sophisticated and the simple. Surely, being able to trace the mythological references abundant among all A.D. writing back to one of its original sources would make me a serious scholar, one who (as I imagine) would also drink peppermint tea, appreciate Madame Butterfly in its original Italian, and complete the New York Times crossword for sport.

On the way towards the checkout counter, I notice other literary masterpieces lauded for their complexity and depth of meaning. Stories and styles that span time periods, backgrounds and worlds which promise portals to fantastical would-be lives. Works that also serve as Mario-like checkpoints, all to be borrowed for my quest towards a supreme and wise perspective.

The importance of reading to build one’s perspective, critical thinking and empathy of others is well documented, not only in research papers but also in the lives of public figures; immensely successful tycoons, pioneers and leaders such as Bill Gates, Elon Musk, Warren Buffet, Oprah Winfrey and Barrack Obama have all shared books that changed their lives.

I bet a lot of them have read The Iliad, I think to myself as I roam the library’s shelves. I guiltily admit that the probability of me completing the colossal novel is roughly equivalent to the probability that Homer rises from the grave and writes another masterpiece (not too likely).

It’s the motivation and imagination that counts — the drive to become a better version of myself. One side of me pursues a path that always pushes me higher, harder, smarter. The other prefers to more down-to-earth approach and constantly wars with self-improving habits. For me, visiting the library has always been proof of this internal dichotomy — a dichotomy that results in a long list of books on the check out receipt but a constant process of renewing books and finally admitting defeat after 6 weeks of opting to reread Harry Potter for the 8th time rather than Ancient Greek epics. This dual personality also manifests itself when I successfully complete only the first week of a running program or watch the first 5 minutes of a cinematic masterpiece such as Apocalypse Now before inserting the well-used disk of Harry Potter (but this time, the Christopher Columbus rendition).

Loose ends have a funny way of entangling in your mind and steering your thoughts. I still haven’t opened a page of The Iliad but the unread book has caused me to revisit my passion in mythology and poetry, write this very blog post and reflect on parallels between my life and the Trojan War. After all, not all battles are external. Through the pursuit of a “better” self I have begun to understand my real self — or, my real selves. I believe that before becoming wise we must first be foolish, because wisdom is tied to experience as well as comprehension of the world around us; what entity is more abundant in the world than foolishness? As for my quest to achieve elevated wisdom: I’ll get there. It began with my long library receipt, and I can only hope that it ends with me reading the books in their entirety (and perhaps sipping some peppermint tea).

Another titanic Greek thinker, Socrates, once said: “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Through the overflowing contents of my library bag I’ve started to examine myself, a necessary step towards understanding the world.

Rosemary Yin

Written by

chocolate reader, literature consumer. https://rosemaryy.github.io/

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