A Nerd’s Ultimate Guide to Reading
It’s been a few weeks since I first heard the words “Ewww, who even likes reading?” followed by well-acted gagging. Needless to say, I sat there while my disbelief turned into realization. I didn’t take it personally, but at that moment, thoughts wouldn’t take form in my mind. Given another chance, I could’ve recounted the many books I had obsessed over: Renegades, Scythe, Fahrenheit 41, Emma, the Percy Jackson series, The Lunar Chronicles, Brave New World. There are too many to list all at once.
The best authors are capable of building new, intricate worlds with new languages, new laws, new systems of government, and even new cultures, all revolving around characters that you either admire, love or hate. While I remain convinced that reading is fun, I’ve come up with the conclusion that certain factors prevent everyone from enjoying books: not everyone knows how or where to start..
But why? At the time, I didn’t have anyone to ask, so I entertained the arguments I’d heard more than a few times and came up with my antithesis.
It's boring; it’s not as fun as watching Youtube; it’s what nerds do (can’t argue with that); why not watch TikTok. These four points are the centerpieces that will be mentioned as I lie down my own argument against these valid reasons. I can’t say that other people will agree with me or that they are the most popular opinions about books—after all, I’ve never hated books. But hear me out.
Reading is often negatively associated with English assignments where you have to read Shakespeare and explain why Shakespeare—a guy born 400 years ago—decided to write what he did. Then there’s the appeal of games and social media doubled with the idea that reading is for nerds. While I don’t spend much time on social media, I see the appeal of games like Stardew Valley and Minecraft. I’ve spent half of my own life playing these games. Nonetheless, in the rare situation that someone would force me to choose, games would have to go.
Yes, nerds do love reading, but why care about how people view you? Besides, books are timeless. Its influence follows you. They let you look at your own world with a new set of eyes. This change in opinion may be unwanted for some, but it can also teach you to respect different opinions as you meet different people in your life. For those who enjoy being wrong at times, picture the adrenaline as you debate the two sides of an issue, trying to find the right and the wrong. Books have taught me that there may not always be a right and wrong. I mean… with a world of differences between mine and the author’s, it’s meant to happen.
Speaking to my own experiences, I grew up with my head buried in books. When I had time, I would head into my home library and never come out for the next 6 hours. I could spend hours in the library near my house, finding books among the loaded shelves. Of course, having read and re-read every recommended book out there, I don’t read nearly as much now.
Getting in and out of the “groove” is not the easiest thing. There have been times where I’ve stopped reading for a few months up to half a year and then suddenly picked it back up, but it doesn’t always work like that for everyone.
Goodreads is a public website that allows you to find recommendations made according to others with similar tastes and have read the same books as you. If you’re on the edge about borrowing a book, I recommend using Goodreads and looking through the “book pocket”, where there is a synopsis that not only gives you a short description of the book’s events but also a taste of the author’s unique writing style.
Next, judge a book by its cover. That was not a typing error. You may not judge it based on your own perception of a nice cover, but the best books generally follow similar looks. Their covers are minimal, with a large standard font for the title and a smaller font for the author’s name, and there’s always an obvious main focus at the centre. Before I start listing things found on every book cover, “what does it not have?” may be the better question. Avoid books displaying realistic “portraits” of people, overly dramatic covers or titles, and weird fonts. Titles like The Prince of Darkness are usually really, really, bad books. But keep in mind that different people hold different tastes, explore what type of books you like and the generalities between them.
Before you hop onto the nearest chair and grab a book, hopefully willing to give reading another try, get into the mood, whatever that means for you. Let me paint an image here: the long school day is finally over, your shoulders ache and your head throbs. You change into your comfy pyjamas, get a cool glass of water, prepare a nice plate of fruit and hop onto the garden swing with a book in your hand, your mood suddenly thoroughly lifted. Reading when you’re comfortable and relaxed can make all the difference, especially when you’re going through a rough day; it can change the activity from something you’re forcing onto yourself into something you’re rewarding yourself with.
My last piece of advice is to treat books like a blind date that your mom set you up for. And no, I’m not speaking from experience, I’ve just watched too many rom-coms. If you don’t like the book, dump it. Don’t look back. It can feel like you’re being harsh and judging it based on a few pages, but if the first few pages don’t hook you in and you’re not interested in its promises, the next few pages won’t either.
Now, let’s add one more word to my prior question, “Why read?”
There are so many benefits. It is educational and appeals to your emotions -which I’m sure I’ve said enough about- that's what it all leads back to. How do you learn? Experience. Instead of having to live through this yourself, living through fictional characters is the next best thing.
You don’t have to necessarily “read”. Listen to podcasts, audiobooks, if you don’t like the experience of holding binded paper, well there’s always PDF files available. My point is, you can start anywhere. Just make sure you start on the right foot.
Here are some sources, if you’re not yet convinced (and some that I’ve mentioned):
Goodreads: Find Your Next Favourite Book
10 Benefits of Reading: Why You Should Read Every Day
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-benefits-reading-why-you-should-read-everyday.html