University of Kwazulu-Natal

The Case For Reading Hard Books Red Deer Public Library

Bonisiwe Shabane
-
the case for reading hard books red deer public library

Okay, so I guess we have to begin with what is a hard book? And to be honest, it likely varies from reader to reader. Now, you're probably thinking "Oh, great, she really knows where she's going with this." Fear not, I kind of do... In my Venn diagram of interests, you will likely not be surprised to hear that I watch a lot of content about books and reading. Part of the discussion online (that the algorithm is feeding me), is that attention spans are struggling. As a Millennial -- yes.

There's always the next thing, the next video when we are scrolling, the next clickbait article, the next opinion designed to enrage or annoy. And so, we are fed a steady stream of "the next thing". This is the video that first got me thinking about this topic, opens a new window. I do recommend giving it a watch. In my opinion, the "hard books" can be books that maybe are outside preferred genres. They are the classics, they are perhaps non-fiction, maybe science fiction, maybe something else.

The point of reading hard books is to keep curiosity alive. We have the wealth of all of human knowledge in our pockets, and I know at least for me, I visit the same sites, and check the same social medias every single day. The place where I still demonstrate my highest levels of curiosity is in my reading. Reading (and I mean that in a consuming books kind of way as audiobooks and ebooks ARE reading) allows us to develop empathy for people and groups we don't intimately know, allows us to... I feel so personally connected to the act of reading. And it has meant so much to me.

It has been a lifelong comfort, and I missed it when I wasn't able to read a few years ago. Do I read for pleasure? Yes, absolutely I do. All reading is valid reading, I am merely suggesting if you feel a disconnect that maybe reading that "hard" thing for you will help bring you back to the reading you've loved before. These are my "hard" books. Books I enjoyed in spite of myself, books I wasn't sure I'd finish, books that made me think, books that changed (or validated) my opinion, and books that I felt made me a different...

Get access to everything that the library has to offer! Free for all Red Deer residents. Get the latest library news, staff picks, program updates, and more delivered right to your inbox. Get the latest about Library events, new programs and services, and other Library news delivered to your inbox. Find out how you can support your Library by donating money, books, or your time as a volunteer. Browse our collection of books, music, videos, and more

Access the free eMedia collection containing eBooks, audiobooks, streaming movies, magazines and music! No library card? No problem. Get one now and start reading. *Please note that Hoopla and Kanopy are available to residents of St. Louis County Library District only.

Libby is a mobile app from OverDrive featuring eBooks, magazines and audiobooks. Video streaming service with over 30,000 award-winning, rare and hard-to-find titles.

People Also Search

Okay, So I Guess We Have To Begin With What

Okay, so I guess we have to begin with what is a hard book? And to be honest, it likely varies from reader to reader. Now, you're probably thinking "Oh, great, she really knows where she's going with this." Fear not, I kind of do... In my Venn diagram of interests, you will likely not be surprised to hear that I watch a lot of content about books and reading. Part of the discussion online (that th...

There's Always The Next Thing, The Next Video When We

There's always the next thing, the next video when we are scrolling, the next clickbait article, the next opinion designed to enrage or annoy. And so, we are fed a steady stream of "the next thing". This is the video that first got me thinking about this topic, opens a new window. I do recommend giving it a watch. In my opinion, the "hard books" can be books that maybe are outside preferred genres...

The Point Of Reading Hard Books Is To Keep Curiosity

The point of reading hard books is to keep curiosity alive. We have the wealth of all of human knowledge in our pockets, and I know at least for me, I visit the same sites, and check the same social medias every single day. The place where I still demonstrate my highest levels of curiosity is in my reading. Reading (and I mean that in a consuming books kind of way as audiobooks and ebooks ARE read...

It Has Been A Lifelong Comfort, And I Missed It

It has been a lifelong comfort, and I missed it when I wasn't able to read a few years ago. Do I read for pleasure? Yes, absolutely I do. All reading is valid reading, I am merely suggesting if you feel a disconnect that maybe reading that "hard" thing for you will help bring you back to the reading you've loved before. These are my "hard" books. Books I enjoyed in spite of myself, books I wasn't ...

Get Access To Everything That The Library Has To Offer!

Get access to everything that the library has to offer! Free for all Red Deer residents. Get the latest library news, staff picks, program updates, and more delivered right to your inbox. Get the latest about Library events, new programs and services, and other Library news delivered to your inbox. Find out how you can support your Library by donating money, books, or your time as a volunteer. Bro...