READ NOVELS

I never liked the idea of reading novels because I believed I have other academic books to read. So, I used to deceive myself with the thought that instead of reading a novel, why shouldn't I use that time to study my academic books. But this train of thought ended when a friend of mine asked me; "Simeon, have you heard of SIDNEY SHELDON?" I told him that I haven't heard of such a person. He recommended one of his books to me, "if tomorrow comes" is the title to be precise. After going through the book, I had a lot of reconsiderations to make.

I describe novels (especially fiction) as a simulated social world which had its own dynamics and complexities i.e Novels makes meaning and makes sense of the world in a different kind of way. Reading a novel especially an interesting one is somewhat similar to being hypnotized. The reader finds himself in a completely different world, he/she begins to imagine the characters, and this experience exposes the reader to a new kind of perspective he/she wouldn't have ordinarily thought of.

Reading a novel doesn't just help a person pass time, it also teaches empathy. What's empathy? Empathy can simply be defined as the ability to out yourself in other people's shoes in order to understand and appreciate the world from a different perspective. Seeing the world from a fellow friend's point of view helps one relate better with such a fellow. This is important for building healthy interpersonal relationships.

I have a particular friend who doesn't joke with his novels. I probed him why it is so. "Why do you read alot of novels sef?" I asked him. This is what he said;

"Novels to me are not just books I read for fun, they are books I read to get to a higher level of critical thinking about the society in which I live in. It sends me to another World of reasoning, a world where I find myself involved with the characters of the book, comparing and contrasting them to the life I live"

The New Yorker reports that;
" Reading has been shown to put the brain into a pleasurable trance-like state, similar to meditation, and it brings the same health of deep relaxation and inner calm. "

I'd be recommending some novels for your reading pleasure.

(1) "If tomorrow comes" by SIDNEY SHELDON