Reading Is Bleh?

 

Perhaps if people read more relevant stuff, they would have known by now that a female hyena is called a bitch, not ‘hyenana’ or ‘hyness’ Okay, I’m actually semi-serious, but if Pulse tv is to conduct interviews on the question: ‘Why don’t you like reading?’ I’m sure people’s responses will be hilarious.

I’m currently reading ‘Starbook’ by Ben Okri, and it’s 422 pages! (I lent it from the library on Sunday,15th and I’m on page 264 ☺). In the process of lending the book, someone looked at me like I was crazy, and then she asked “How will you read this book finish?” I replied “How will I not? I love reading” I got a shrug and “na wa, you dey try o, you get time” in response. I tried to encourage her to pick a book that interests her and set some form of weekly or monthly reading goal for herself (I’m not saying everyone should read 400+ paged books like me, lol, but start somewhere).

Afterwards, the question of why people do not like reading kept repeating itself in my mind with a big question mark. So, I did some research and asked people online and offline, and these are the most occurring reasons:

 

“IT’S TOO STRESSFUL”

To some people, books remind them of the stress that comes with school exams, tests, ‘jacking’ etc. So, the sight of books just makes them tense.

 

“I DON’T HAVE TIME TO READ”

People in this gang are so many. Err…excuse me, can you qremind me how long movies, gists and chats last again?

 

“I’VE NEVER REALLY OPENED A BOOK TO READ LEISURELY. APART FROM SCHOOL BOOKS, I JUST FEEL READING ISN’T FOR ME.”

Wait…how can you like something you don’t spend time with? People who are knowledgeable about fooball for example, spend quality time watching and in most cases playing it.

Related  Sinmisola Ogunyika is Giving out up to 80% Discounts on all her Books on OkadaBooks

 

“I DON’T HAVE PATIENCE FOR LITERARY JARGON”

Authors make use of literary terms and sometimes complex diction. Some people do not have the patience to decipher certain words, terms and/phrases used in books. Biko, thanks to technology, there are dictionary apps you can download. You can as well Google a phrase to understand the context in which it was used. Keep a notepad and pen nearby to jott down new words and phrases, then look them up.Trust me, you’ll be doing your vocabulary a whole lot of good. Don’t you just love people who have good command of english , and can express themselves in a polished and coherent way? Yep? Read, and read wide.

 

“OH PLEASE, I’M NOT ANTI-SOCIAL OR INTROVERTED”

Why go into solitude with a book when I can be out and about having fun at the movies, or with friends in social gatherings? Hmm…reading takes you to places you can only dream of, and you’ll love it, promise!

 

“BOOKS ARE EXPENSIVE THESE DAYS”

Please, how much is Coldstone and Shawarma? I rest my case.

 

“I’M A VISUAL LEARNER”

For some people books without pictures are a total bore. (Hellooo! There are comic books).

 

“I’M TOO BUSY CHASING MONEY”

Things are hard, if a book isn’t going to teach me how to make money, and if the author isn’t rich, I’m so not buying/reading.” This person was beyond convincing. As you’re chasing money, improve yourself by reading books every now and then.

 

“I DON’T HAVE TIME”

That’s not an excuse. There are busy people who still thrive on developing themselves and learning through books. Go and ask great leaders, they have well stocked bookshelves.

 

“READING IS BORING ”

It’s just plain words after words on each page, right? Wrong. There’s something called imagination, unleash and put it to good use.

 

Related  9 Self-Help and Motivational Books by African Authors

“I’M TOO LAZY”

“I would like to read, but I’m too lazy. So, I just do back and wait to the movie of the book. I mean, if it’s so on point, they’ll make it into a movie.”

This one weak me. My advice: “Never judge a book by it’s movie” -J.W Eagan Period.

 

The truth is, no one can force you to read, but just see reading as a workout for your brain, just as you do body workout. (Do you even do normal body workout? You, yes, you. Or are you lazy and ‘busy’?). Your brain needs to keep fit too! There are many genres of books to choose from, try going visiting a library. Oh…and there are ebooks and audio books now, whatever floats your boat. ✌

You Only Live Once
Familiar Stranger