I received an interesting email this week from Mark Sayers (another blogger with WordPress) which made the following suggestions for reading:
“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” Walt Disney
“Beware of the man of one book.” Thomas Aquinas
“You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” Ray Bradbury
Nothing grows our outlook like books. Our culture lauds us to shape our bodies, but we have neglected the gymnasiums of the mind. If you are a leader, you must read, it opens not just your brain to new ideas, but it allows you to be mentored by the greatest leaders, thinkers and creatives of history. Each book is a container filled with thoughts to be chewed upon. Reading is a discipline that must be mastered, one that will deliver you treasures for the rest of your life.
- Pick a time each day to read, it could be on the train or bus, before bed. Make it a habit and stick to it.
- Push yourself, don’t just read what is easy. Reading is like exercise, the more your stretch yourself the greater your stamina will be. Work those brain muscles, they will build up over time.
- It is no shame to read with a dictionary nearby, not only will it help you to understand challenging books, it will expand your vocabulary.
- Read on the toilet. Yes, you heard right, have a book ready to read whilst you are in..ahem…’the closet of learning’. Those micro moments on the loo will enable you to read a couple of more books a year.
- Read widely, read novels, non-fiction, read poetry, read biographies, find what you like.
- If you find an author your like, try and read their catalogue. Watch their development, get to know them. Read biographies about them.
- Read people you disagree with.
- Always carry a book with you. You never know when you will get a chance to read.
- When you feel the compulsion to check facebook, or your phone to see if anyone has texted you, reach for your book instead.
- Join a book group
- Read reviews online, be picky with what you read, don’t waste your time on junk.
- Join a library – its like Borders but everything is free, and there is no buyers remorse.
Mr Holford's site for English 