Reading a book is far different from everyday internet reading. Much material on internet isn’t worth reading, but is read because it’s there on devices. Social media proffers information from friends and family which is mostly unnecessary.

One reads a book because one wants, chooses, to read a book. A book will give one a sustained point of view on something. One gets a book from a library or bookstore or from a website like Amazon or Apple or the University of Chicago Press. Reading e-books is fine, offering the same content as physical books, but with an actual book one will have more control over the reading experience, though it’s true that reading e-books gives a person simultaneous access to lots of contextual information, even if only definitions of words. Instant access to additional data however may also take away from a reading experience, becoming distracting. One has to make some effort or spend money to read a book and this shows personal interest which will, most likely, make the reading more valued.

Books come in two basic classes, fiction and non-fiction. With a novel or short story, one will receive someone else’s unreal, imaginary creation (though it might be fact-based, which makes it realistic). In a textbook or biography, one gets facts about subjects. Both classes offer knowledge, different kinds, which may shape a reader’s heart and mind. A person’s reading is well-rounded when both classes of books are utilized.

Mystery

A book is a mystery until it is read and even then, it may remain a mystery to some extent, like the Bible, which has been interpreted and written about for centuries upon centuries. Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species has provoked much thought, written and unwritten, in religion, philosophy and science. This is part of the charm of books, in distinction from internet news, that makes books better in forming readers’ individual intelligence. Books bring forth individual impact, internet items deliver group impact. Don’t forget, published books, including most e-books, have an editor, in addition to the author, who aids in matters of grammar, spelling and presentation, making a book readable and comprehensible. Much internet information is raw, unedited.

Wonder

The wonder of books is transmitting knowledge which a reader wants for some reason. A reader’s personal reasons for reading a book make that book definitive in achieving a goal, even if it’s entertainment. Novels entertain in a way different from movies. More time is needed to read a book than to see a movie. Most internet reading is ephemeral, leading to head-shaking rather than a wonder that lasts and sinks into one’s psyche. An individual choosing a book to read for some purpose transcends internet surfing for no purpose or amorphous purpose. Book-reading implies purpose in a person. Looking at a screen, what does that mean?

Personal, individual character of authors and books and separate readers, on their own, unconnected to the virtual world, leads to personal advancement (a better self). The internet and reading this or that on the internet are fine, but there are increased chances of becoming distracted, disorganized and even accidie with time spent online. Reading the internet should be mixed with reading books.

Sixteenth century reformer, Martin Luther:

The heart . . . makes the gift dear (valuable) and precious.

(‘Second Sermon for Pentecost Monday’ John 3:16-21 § 13) 

Heart of an author in his/her book passed to a reader is wondrous.  A book is a gift.

The End