On Reading

I've wanted to be a reader for a really long time. Something about reading feels so essential to the human experience - though I realize for much of history, literacy was reserved for the wealthy. Even so, reading feels so human, so revolutionary, so mystical. It's crazy that we can read the words of people who lived thousands of years ago. It's also crazy that I can look at some shapes and translate into meaning. Sometimes quite profound meaning. I have always admired people that read for fun. I longed to be part of that crew, but disqualified myself even though I never gave it a fair shot in my adult life.

Kiden bought me "Mistborn" by Brandon Sanderson several months ago (maybe even a year ago... sorry). It was a book that 5+ of my friends have recommended to me. I genuinely have wanted to read it for a long time. I took it on many vacations, thinking, "surely this is the trip I start it", but not even touching it once. If you know a little about ADHD, maybe you know that starting a task is the hardest part. Even if it's something you want to do, even if it's something you love doing. Well, somehow 2 weeks ago the stars aligned and I just decided to start reading it.

And just reading the prologue was all it took for me to get invested. I was intrigued at first, and started to read a little more, and then a little more. Pretty early into the book I was full on hooked. I started bringing Mistborn on the bus, staying up late reading it, even leaving behind "faster" dopamine hits like YouTube for reading. I could actually just sit and read for hours at a time, not getting distracted or bored whatsoever. I was so happy to have a book to love.

I'm writing this after finishing the second book in the Mistborn series, "The Well Of Ascension". I finished both books in less than 2 weeks (my obsession is obvious). To be honest, I almost cried at the end - I felt such strong emotions rising with in me. I didn't think I get that from any literature other than the Bible. But I am so glad to be wrong! I love engaging my imagination with a story! I love getting absorbed into a whole new world, and learning about more and more characters who feel realistic! I am so glad I've discovered the joy of reading.

There are a few things I've noticed that were different than I expected. I thought that I would feel satisfied with myself having spent a significant amount sitting and reading, as now I'm part of some elite circle that reads, but instead I strangely fight against a feeling of "you're so lazy". It feels the exact same as bingeing a show or finishing a long gaming session. I think there's a part of us that feels it's wrong to sit and relax for an extended amount of time (or maybe I'm just not accustomed to it). Also, reading feels, easy, honestly. It feels natural, like I don't even have to try to want to read. I totally figured it would be a sort of discipline that I harnessed, not that I would just genuinely enjoy reading more than my other pastimes. Also, (maybe placebo) I think that I've gotten more used to reading more long form text. I feel significantly more focused as I study the bible, and I even printed out some research papers to read for myself (who am I?).

Who knows if reading is just a phase I'm in, or if it's just Brandon Sanderson's writing that draws me in. I certainly hope to read other genres, other authors, other perspectives. There is a book on creativity that I am eyeing to read. If you're like "oh I also want to read", then maybe just pick up a book and read it. That was exactly where I was and my view of reading has changed dramatically in the last 2 weeks.

I also am inspired to write more here (which I keep saying) and hone my own prose, express my own thoughts, in my own "Koby casual" way.

Thanks for reading this post, it means a lot.