I Want YOU to Start Reading Better Books
You only get one life — don’t waste it reading mediocre books.
Hey you!
Yeah, I’m talking to you.
Put down that YA fantasy book right now.
Yes, I know you’re busy reading about a bookish teenager and her troubled-but-dreamy love interest, but I’ve got something I need to tell you:
You deserve so much better.
You deserve books that explore the human condition, that eschew cliche and challenge your mind.
The latest fad on BookTok probably won’t do that.
Does saying that make me a book snob?
Ouch… but guilty as charged.
The thing is, I don’t think having high standards for books is a bad thing. In fact, I think it’s a little silly to pretend that every reading habit is equally valid.
It’s a feel-good platitude, but it’s not really true.
If somebody calls themselves an avid reader, and their bookshelf only consists of the Mr. Men series, that’s going to raise an eyebrow.
Don’t heckle the poor guy, but let’s not pretend he’s enriching himself.
You can’t eat potato chips all day and call yourself a gourmand.
More importantly? There’s much better fare out there than your average page-turner.
I’m not necessarily talking about the classics or the Great Books… though there are worse places to start.
I’m talking about books that broaden your perspective.
I’m talking about books that help you connect to the past.
I’m talking about books that raise questions about the future.
Reading for entertainment is all well and good, but reading for erudition will add so much more color to your inner life.
It happens when you start reading books on the arts, history and politics — as well as Capital L Literature.
A rich tapestry begins to form in your mind.
It’s not that you become smarter, it’s that your mental vision expands. You can see the world from different facets, from different points of view, and you notice the intersections where they meet.
‘Okay then, genius!’ The outraged reader rightly exclaims. ‘If you’re so clever, go on and tell me what to read.’
I’ll give it a shot.
For literary fiction, the late critic Harold Bloom put together a wonderful list for newcomers in the aptly named How to Read and Why.
Personally, I’ve put together a short list for more modern tastes. It’s a sample platter of quality fiction and non-fiction:
- The Gormenghast Trilogy by Mervyn Peake
- Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin
- The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin
- From Dawn to Decadence by Jacques Barzun
- Poverty and Power by Edward Royce
Some of these books can be a challenge, and you might have to gobble up some bestsellers while you’re reading them.
I know what it takes to make the medicine go down smooth.
But guess what? It’s a good thing if you find them challenging. Truthfully, you should try and seek out books that make you work up a mental sweat.
I read books by people who are smarter than me all the time!
It elevates your thoughts.
You find yourself striving to meet them on the same level, picking up bits and pieces of their ideas along the way.
You learn.
You grow.
It’s much more rewarding than light escapism — something I’m not above myself.
But that kind of reading only goes so far. My heart can’t help but break for people who only read fluff, because they really do deserve so much better.
You too, deserve the best.
So set your standards high and pick books that demand more of you.
You’ll be surprised how much brighter it makes your world.
