Every day, people are thirstily receiving information. Reading is a unique way to receive information. This article reinterprets the value of reading for this stall and introduces personal methods of reading.
The Value of Reading#
I have never been someone who enjoys reading. — About Books xlog telegraph
Everyone has their favorite topics, and thus their favorite books. If you don't like reading, it means you haven't found a book you enjoy. "I have never been someone who enjoys reading" emphasizes the pain of reading, while this article focuses on the joy of reading, which is its value.
The value of a book lies not in the book itself but in the reader, so sometimes you want to read, and sometimes you don't. But value can be discovered. We may not have liked reading when we were younger, but as our experiences and needs change, books can shine anew for us.
The value of reading is not only in the act of reading; from searching for books, to reading them, and then recommending them, the entire process holds value.
Searching for Books#
Searching for books is a joyful activity, a kind of aimless wandering. The title of a book is the most important; perhaps you don't like the book, but a title can spark endless imagination.
Searching for books is not about the impatience of finding specific titles but enjoying the process. Whether in English book recommendations or elsewhere, you can appreciate others' preferences and experience exotic flavors.
At first, we might look for books with strong sensations, such as plot-driven or enticing novels, but as our energy wanes, we may enter a state of having nothing to read, known as a reading drought. In fact, there are many good novels; it's just that our capacity to enjoy them has temporarily saturated. At this point, the joy of searching for books arises—if you don't "fall in love with a single flower," you can "search for fragrant grass across the horizon."
Once, an elderly woman asked me, "Are those stories on Douyin real?"
I said, "Of course not, they are all made up."
She said, "These people are really something; they can come up with such stories. I've always wanted to read them; what should I do? Is there a way to read less?"
I said, "Once you've read enough, you won't want to read anymore."
Reading#
I once chatted with someone, trying my best to enrich the conversation, and it worked well, but it was exhausting. Reading casual books is no less effective than chatting, and it's not tiring. More importantly, no one will chat with you endlessly, and the quality of continuous chatting will decrease.
Joy is my starting point for reading. This joy is not so intense; it doesn't attract you to read continuously like sensational or erotic literature. Sensational literature is too joyful, hence not joyful. As stated in "The End of Desire: Reflections and Art：Thoughts and Art," subtle joy is the most enduring. The joy of reading should also be subtle.
If loving to read is a form of obsession, then each book has its unique flavor, quiet as water, waiting for you to pick.
As for the knowledge gained from reading, it doesn't matter much. Reading casual books doesn't require too much calculation; a light joy is enough.
Recommending Books#
Recommending books is a form of output. After finishing a book, you can choose not to share what you've read, thus incurring no loss or gain. But if you share and recommend a book, you will gain a lot of value.
This book stall has recommended many books in the past, but why has it stopped? Recommending books is about sharing others' thoughts; it's more joyful to share your own thoughts. In reality, what are your own thoughts? In "On Creation," it has been discussed that "creating without creation" is a matter of value. Thoughts do not have DNA, but they can be ideologies.
Moreover, one must receive a lot of information before they can output. Recommending books you endorse is like publishing the training materials for artificial intelligence; it allows everyone to have a more comprehensive understanding of this stall.
This is also the value of citing sources. Recommending books connects your own discourse system with the outside world, returning to the vast universe.
More importantly, the workflow of recommending books and writing blogs forms a closed loop, creating an independently functioning system. Whether reading, recommending books, or writing blogs, one will feel joy.
As a subscriber, I hope to receive more fresh content. Recommending books and writing blogs complement each other, resulting in a win-win situation.
This stall can also reconnect its thoughts through recommending books. This applies to anyone recommending books.
Methods of Reading#
Reading has many values. But regardless of the value, one must face the question, "How to read?" This stall shares its methods of reading.
Attitude Towards Reading#
There isn't much method to reading; just read. The reason methods are needed is to read more comfortably, which leads to a greater love for reading, thus forming a closed loop.
The most important aspect of reading is to be "spontaneous." There’s no need to focus on the depth of reading; a light taste is sufficient. If strict goals are set, the enjoyment will naturally decrease; without enjoyment, reading won't last. If it doesn't last, depth doesn't matter. Of course, here reading refers to casual reading, not studying. Conversely, not focusing on depth does not mean not reading carefully. When encountering something wonderful, read it closely.
Additionally, different books bring different pleasures; "go with enthusiasm and return when the excitement is over." If a book is good, glance at it; if it's not, just put it down.
In "Possession or Existence," it mentions, "When he knows the ending, he possesses the story as if he has experienced it himself. However, he does not gain knowledge from it." Reading in a way of existence, wave your hand, leaving no trace. What you take away at this moment may be more, and the book truly becomes a part of us.
Obstacles to Reading#
There are two major problems with reading: one is a lack of time, and the other is eye fatigue.
If you read spontaneously, then both problems can be solved.
Lack of time can be mitigated by skimming, allowing you to read at any time. Eye fatigue can be alleviated by being spontaneous, so you can read with your eyes or listen with your ears, without too many restrictions. Listening to books, in particular, extends the time you can spend reading. If engaged in physical activities, you can almost listen to books at any time.
Because of spontaneity, reading has no barriers.
Methods of Listening to Books#
Novels are more suitable for human narration, but not all books are suitable for human reading; mechanical voices can provide a more stable emotional tone that helps people relax. Moreover, not all books have human narrations. Using a mechanical voice is a more universal method; you can listen to books anytime, anywhere.
A phone with a large battery can allow you to listen to books all day long. If you use an offline package, you can listen to books all day without internet access. Reading thus gains liberation.
Regarding the quality of narration, it is actually improving rapidly. One can foresee that in the near future, TTS will become more realistic and smooth.
Currently, I use multitts, which works smoothly with Reading or Quiet Reading. For more details, you can join the @multtts Telegram group. Currently, the quality of the voice packages from Guagua is quite good, and Sogou TTS's voice packages are also decent. Of course, the tone depends entirely on personal preference.
Capturing Inspiration#
Reading is input as well as output. Your understanding of a book is a form of output. In the attitude towards reading, this stall suggests being spontaneous and skimming; this is the attitude towards general books. However, when inspiration strikes, it should be recorded for deeper reflection, thus forming a closed loop between light and deep, reading and writing. It can be a screenshot, a sentence, or a trace left by a passing goose.
Summary of Reading#
One can stand atop the peak and survey the mountains below.
When desires recede, gazing at the other shore, books are like small boats. There are not many things in the world that can bring joy to people, and books are one of them. They are not the other shore; the purpose of the small boat is to sail through the sea, not to be hidden on the other shore.
Books do not have to be a ladder to progress, but they must be an honest friend. In fact, there is no need to summon red scarves and green sleeves; books can evoke tears from heroes.
Written on October 17, 2024, after the busy farming season in the cold rain.