Books are Our Best Companions
Author : Sreejita Karmakar
Introduction
It is a true saying that ‘books are our true companions’. The ones who read – more so, read religiously – can relate to this statement. The world has its fair share of people who are burdened with the responsibilities and the persistent mental and physical pressure life has to offer. I can vouch for this because I have faced similar situations. Life can never go easy for too long on us, and we have to face foul-weather days from time to time. We make and lose friends along the way. But the one true friend that has stayed and will stay with us are books. People who have had a taste of the world of books and the addiction to reading can agree.
Why Should We Read Books?
Books have always been considered to fill one with knowledge. They not only provoke our emotions but drive us to think things in different ways and make us see people or objects or our world as a whole, in a new light. The best part is, there are so many types of books for all types of people. Nobody can say that their ideal genre doesn’t exist when it comes to books. We have Science Fiction for Sci-fi lovers, Romance for the ones who love the hopeless romantic kind of love, Young Adult fiction for the youth, Historical fiction, Fantasy and so much more. One can find out, the more they read, the more they will open up to the many possibilities which are unfolding around us every day. Books are magical, they can take us places when we are unable to travel, they can teach us salient life lessons, or just fill us with a lot of information about stars and planets. In short, there is a book for every type of reader.
What To Read?
The world we are in today is as technologically advanced as it had never been before. We can have so many options when it comes to reading books. For instance, we have reduced the bulk of carrying books with us everywhere to ebooks on our mobile phones. Phones are portable and they can carry hundreds of books in them. Same with reading devices like Kindle. If one is busy and does not have the time to sit back with a good old book and a mug of coffee or a cuppa, they can listen to audiobooks. Audiobooks have widely taken over, as they are convenient for the readers who want to keep reading despite their packed-up schedules. While doing household chores or while jogging, or on their way to work and back, audiobooks quench their thirst for reading a book.
We have webnovels in mobile applications, or webtoons, comics, mangas, and whatnot.
Of course, keeping the technology aside, if someone wants to take things the traditional way, we have our very tangible paperbacks and hardcovers available in bookshops, and these days we can also order books online. If someone is on a budget yet is craving a solid read, they can always opt for public libraries for free books or can borrow books from someone willing to lend. There are thrift stores that sell secondhand or pre-loved books in good condition at discounted prices.
Celebrities Recommending Books
Sometimes people have trouble adjusting to the habit of reading. I understand why that might happen, given book can take a toll on someone’s emotions and thought process. But at the same time, books can help cure depression and can make one feel positive and confident. Self-help or motivational books can help one get their life in order. And sometimes our favourite artists and celebrities also recommend to us their favourite reads, which push us towards picking up books more.
For instance, celebrities like Reese Witherspoon, Emma Watson, Harry Styles, and more have shared their favourite books on social media many times. Bollywood celebrities like Sonam Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan, Mouni Roy, (late) Sushant Singh Rajput, and others have also shared their readings. This leads the fans of these influential people to catch up on reading as well. If anyone is lost about where they should start reading, YouTube has many videos that discuss this topic and recommend book for beginners.
Reasons Why Books are Our Best Companions
Some people think about picking up books and they never end up reading one. Reading can be such a joy because no two books are similar. There are always variations and divergent characters in unique backdrops under different circumstances. Here are some benefits of reading books:
· As Katrina Kaif as Jenny in the Bollywood movie, ‘Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani’, had once said: Books are people’s best friends, they are like true companions. They neither complain nor demand. It is the truest thing ever said about books. There goes one reason why one must include books in their life. If you’re sad or bored, books are there to lighten up your mood. Also, books don’t judge.
· Book can give us hope. They make us confident and give us the courage to face challenges, all the while keeping us motivated to work hard. The right type of book can help you find your true self and your passion – be it music or art or writing books of your own.
· Book can be carried anywhere in the world. If physical books get too heavy to carry in your backpacks or take up a lot of space to pack into your holiday suitcases, you can always download ebooks from several ebook applications on mobile phones. Amazon Kindle is another great option.
· Book can help you sleep better. If you face trouble falling asleep, or have insomnia, you can try reading before going to bed. A research conducted by the University of Sussex in 2009, says reading for even six minutes before bed can reduce stress by 68%, hence clearing the mind and helping you fall asleep. I can tell from personal experience. I still read at least ten pages before falling asleep and it works wonders. But avoid thriller or horror novels, as they may reverse the effect.
Conclusion
I hope this article has been able to convince you that books are indeed our true companions. But that does not mean we should stop communicating with people. We should try to make friends with people as well, no matter how many fictional characters are our best friends. But if you want to read, make sure to dedicate at least 30 minutes daily to reading, and slowly increase that time according to your convenience and schedule. Reading isn’t hard at all. Once you fall in love with it, you will develop a habit of reading on your own.
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