The purpose in reading
Growing up, I hated reading. It has always been difficult for me to pick up a book and start reading. However, I became increasingly interested in books during elementary school. I realized that when I am required to read a book, I am less likely to do so; but when I find a book I genuinely want to read, I dedicate the time to it. Upon reaching college, I was challenged by my approach to reading. There were too many books to get through in a very short time. I must admit that I only read those books partially due to my time management skills.
When I started reading Adler’s book, “How to Read a Book,” it helped me understand what reading is truly about. I had never thought of the reading process as involving different stages, but it makes sense. Elementary reading is what I related to most. I now realize that I have been reading incorrectly my entire life. Inspectional reading is far more relevant, especially given the overwhelming amount of information we encounter daily. Analytical reading encourages me to ask insightful questions about what I am reading and how it will aid my personal journey, while Syntopical reading will elevate my reading to a new level.
I appreciate how Adler expressed it: “The effectiveness with which he reads is determined by the amount of effort and skill he puts into his reading.” He also stated, “Reading, like unaided discovery, is learning from an absent teacher. We can only do that successfully if we know how.” For some reason, I have always sought guidance from a teacher for learning specific information; however, Adler has made me realize that I do not need a physical teacher to learn, as long as I acquire the right skills, especially when it comes to reading.
My ultimate goal is to cultivate the next generation of leaders. I read books to help me become a better leader, teacher, preacher, and role model for the upcoming generation. Books are just books, but when applied to my self-improvement and learning to think critically, they are truly worth the effort.
Adler, Mortimer J. and Charles Van Doren, How to Read a Book. New York: A Touchstone Book, Simon & Schuster, 2014.
About the Author
Ivan Ostrovsky
One response to “The purpose in reading”
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Ivan,
I resonate with your take on reading, I too never enjoyed reading, the idea of being forced to do something I didn’t find any joy in doing was troubling to me; I wonder how interested or how different my perspective would have been if teachers would have approached reading differently. It is said that knowledge is power, so if we are to take Adlers words that the effectiveness with which we read will determine the amount of effort or skill we obtain, then I can’t help but believe that the more effective we become in reading, the more “power”/knowledge we will have to lead those we have been entrusted to lead.