Reading Notes

The true aim of literary studies is to lift the student out of his provincialism by making him "the spectator", if not of all, yet of much, "time and existence."
- C.S. Lewis

I am trying to be a better reader. Whether in stories or in non-fiction, I am aiming to look deeper, beyond the surface-level words. I am asking myself- what is the author saying?

Lately I have been noticing a lot as I read Scripture - that many times what is being written is just the surface of what God is really saying. There is something much deeper. Even when God is angry I am starting to see less of the anger and more of the love. As I read through Ezekiel, for example, one could get bogged down in the angry passages, with the Lord saying in every chapter how He is going to let the people come to ruin because they turned away from Him. But beneath all that anger I see the deep love of God for us, so much so that He would even bother over His much-beloved created beings turn away from Him and His deep love for us. If he was indifferent toward us, He wouldn't be so angry when we purposefully turn away.

I think my continual fascination with words has helped me notice more. As I read more about words and meanings and etymology, I pay attention even more than I used to. To look more carefully and think more deeply. I find myself asking why the author chose the words, and why they are telling specific details about something.

What I realized is if something is worth reading, it is worth being attentive.

To be attentive to my reading means to slow down. To take in the words and pray for understanding, if it is a challenging book. To take time to let it sink in. I will admit, this is a bit of a challenge for me because I know there is a surfeit of books that are waiting for me to read them, and I cannot possibly get to half of them, but I can try. And that means I tend to read fast, in general, because I have so many books I want to read. But you know what I realized? I actually enjoy reading on a deeper level when I take my time. It's a better experience and I retain what I read much better.

Something I have always loved about reading is how it takes our gaze from the mirror. It refocuses us and takes our selfish thoughts off ourselves while we let the author speak through words. With new ideas, it is our job to seek to understand and ask questions. To take those ideas for a test drive to find out if there is truth in it.

Reading will stir up a habit of curiosity, which leads to stretching the imagination to discover new and wonderful things.

The gold behind the paper currency is to be found, almost exclusively, in literature. In it lies deliverance from the tyranny of generalizations and catchwords.
- C.S. Lewis